New Guy: G15-CS

Hi all—

Newly registered and glad to be among people with such a base of knowledge.

I’ve been riding and wrenching on motorcycles for the past few years, starting with an old army Enfield I picked up while I was working in India. It ended up becoming kind of an ugly bastard of a machine, but it does what I need it to do very well. Engine was replaced with a performance-tuned 535cc done over by Ace Engineering in the US, discs front and rear, upgraded suspension, repositioned pegs, etc. Nice intro project to the world of British (well, Indian…) bikes.



But I recently got lucky enough to get hold of this amazing ’65 G15-CS from its original owner, John, who wants me to keep it running and ride the snot out of it like he did. He used it as a desert sled and a street bike throughout its life; it’s a rider, not a garage piece, and is not all original parts or finish work. John's an engineer, though, and there are only minor tweaks and refinish work. Paint is not original. I’m in Africa now, but a going to be back Stateside in about a year, I think, and will get to work putting it on the road once I'm back. Obviously, this one stays a classic bike and not a chopped-up mutant, just to ease everyone’s mind. Just some basic snaps here:











I might consider some subtle internal tweaks like suspension, belt primary, etc. if those things prove desirable for riding, but first order of business is getting it running as-is. It ran when parked but needs a good going-over. Plan to start a thread once I’m back in the states and can get to work. What would be the appropriate place for an Atlas-engined hybrid…the Norton, Matchless, or the general classics forum? In the meantime, I will continue to read and absorb what I can from the board. Thanks!

Nice old warhorse! I would say it would go in the "Other Nortons" section even though it's badged a Matchless. There is some G15 stuff in the Matchless section also. G15s and N15s were Norton-engined, Matchless-framed parts bin specials that were much the same other than the tank badges. I think the P-11 has sme Matchless DNA also. I'm sure nobody will mind whichever forum you post yours in.

Thanks, Danno! Appreciate the advice. Looks like I will be back stateside and may have a chance to at least get it fired up sometime this winter; we will see.

I think my plan of attack will be pulling the carbs for a trip to my buddy's ultrasonic cleaner, change back to stock jetting (bike is at sea level but had been in Vermont), check carb slide fit in barrel (understand that wear is a big issue with amals? First time with them...), clean out the tank and fit new fuel lines and filter, refill oil and trans fluid, check mag points gap and valve lash, and give it a go.

It ran when parked a few years back...hopefully doesn't need a ton of work.

Very cool bike.

If you ever want a spare frame for experimenting, I have one that was raked. "One of these days" still hasn't come, so it's still raked, out back, very dusty.

Thanks! I am highly unlikely to be doing anything experimental...but I will keep that fact in mind, in the event. Sad to hear about another chopperification of such a rare specimen.

I shove a pre-unit Triumph engine in it and had a more-or-less rolling "Matchumph" ("Triumphless?") project, but separated it back out after relocating my shop, to save space.

Looks just like my old CS ribbed fenders and all. My Matchless has a grab rail at the end of the seat I don't know if it original or not but it sure looks like it could be.

Mark

A member of the Washington State Classic Motorcycle club has a G15 very much like yours. It's absolutely pristine, like it just came out of the showroom. Since the owner is in his eighties and has artificial knees, he decided kicking over a 500cc single was too hazardous, so he designed and built an electric start system for it.

It's so well designed and integrated into the engine, you'd swear it was original. His regular ride is a 2012 or so Triumph.

Looks like a fun bike just as it is. Where are you located in the States? In my neck of the woods it would be great for the local canyons, and maybe even some fire roading.

Ken