flyingfleasteve

Nice little project Ron, good work! What’s the plans with it when the engine is completed?

Thanks Gent! That’s a bugger, the tail lamp was nearly finished 🙈

Il keep you posted Ron 😉 I am just about to give the fuel tank the vinegar treatment before applying the finishing top coat. Whilst I wait for it I thought I would turn my attention to the rear light. Undoubtedly one of the hardest things to find was the original MT210 rear lamp. Although not in the best of shape it’s all original. Some of the internal bulb contacts are missing so I am going to sympathetically convert it to accept a twin filament bulb. So currently it’s been prepared and clean up with fresh paint applied…….

The fuel tank is slowly coming right, lots of little dents and imperfections remedied but still a small amount of ‘character’ left. It’s definitely had several knocks and scrapes in its existence. The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed the light switch hole within the instrument panel has been cut bigger at some point but fingers crossed I have a solution to that.

This is perfect! Thanks Ron!

Chaps whilst I remember what is the correct petrol tap for this bike, Im of the impression it’s a singular CMC with balancer pipe but I cannot for the life of me find a picture of one?

Thanks Gents. I must say I am pleased with how the bike is turning out, Lex I think several of the parts on this bike came from you 😉 Dare I say it really just the tank and electrics left 🤗 The tank is taking up far more time than I anticipated but I want to get it right……

Finally got the exhaust system on, I must say I am really pleased after all of the fettling…..it fits really nicely 🤗

I know Ron……🤔 I don’t need to worry, I won’t be starting it…..it’s only to sit and look at 😂

Ok so the exhaust clamp has received some TLC and now fits like a glove, a quick lick of paint and it’s ready to fit. The rocker cover is now finally on so I just need to time the engine and it’s ready! Now back to the petrol tank………

Thanks Ron! I shall have a chat with him 👍

Lex. That doesn’t sound good. Nothings been easy with this build, a few more hurdles won’t hurt, I have it fitting in no time 😉

Hi All, sorry for the delay in the update…….so a few backwards steps needed. Unfortunately I did not take enough links out of the primary chain so when I put it all together the gearbox shaft was rubbing on the inner chain case. 🙈 I have stripped it down to rectify my error but now the rear wheel drive chain is two short and I have lost the links I removed! Whilst I try and source some new links for the chain the correct exhaust clamp has finally arrived so I can get the exhaust system on. Currently most of my time has now been spent on prepping the petrol tank which is slowly coming together…….

Another successful day with the primary side of the engine now completed including the rear break lever components now on. lots of fettling, as nothing would fit quite right but still a leap further forward. Next step, push rods in and rocker cover bolted down…..

Hi Gents thank you so much for your guidance and information, really helpful and extremely interesting! It’s lovely to find something like this with a bit of history!

Hi All. I thought I would share this lovely piece of history. This is an original Matchless G3L drivers handbook but inside of the front cover it has stamped “9 Airborne, Anti-tank bty, Royal Artillery” and then Subsequently the owners name and registration number? I have tried to do some research but some of the abbreviations are stumping me. Your expertise are most welcome!

Thanks Lex! I shall keep the oil feed pipe one piece for now it’s easy enough to cut it if/when required. I cant quiet believe how much heavy the G3 is starting to feel in comparison to the G3L……The G3 is a lovely looking bike though! I’ve decided to replace the later period alloy push rods with the period steel ones so I cannot get the rocker box on properly for the next few days so a little bit of downtime before forging forwards again.

Sorry all for the radio silence, the last month has been super busy with work etc… Ron I was of under the impression that some of the early panel tanks Matchless G3’s had a single piece rocker oil feed pipe, but I may be totally wrong!🙈 With a few spare hours I have picked up the spanner’s again to get some more tasks completed on the G3. The timing side of the engine is now completed with the drive side just a little way behind with the clutch now finally fitted with the correct bearing race. The primary casing band is a pig of a job to get right and what makes its harder is I think my band is to narrow. With most of the engine together I have now started to look at the exhaust, more specifically the fitting of it, being reproduction I wanted to ensure it fits correctly before making the brackets and painting it all up. With most of the time consuming jobs now completed it won’t be long until I start on restoring the tank. That then paves the way to finish the electrics and enjoy!

Baby steps forward, more oil lines made and fitted. I have adopted the earlier single piece rocker oil feed……should probably paint it silver now 🤔 We will soon be on that race track Ron!

Hi Ron. I believe that post came from Lex 😉 I have fitted a speedo with trip meter to my project, at the time I was unsure of colour so painted it Khaki.

With a spare day I managed to inch forward with the build. The lightly restored saddle cover is now fitted and most cables now made/laid include the speedo connections. Finally I have found a lower timing sprocket and chain which is slowly allowing me to finish the engine. I shall shortly be looking to make/connect the last of the oil lines, including the rocker feed. It appears that all the oil/fuel pipe connections are BSP threads of various sizes, does that sound correct!

Looks good!

Great, cheers Ron!

Thank you Ron!