Purchasing G80CS

Ben,

Indeed, that's the "danger" associated with any restoration or special builds - the more money you throw at an object of age or rarity, the more concerned you get that anything could occur to the object. In the end the object becomes a relic, which is a shame really.
Isn't a highly restored and improved Commando in the same league? I think we all understand the G80CS can't be used as an utilitarian transport - it's too valuable and too impractical in many senses. I hope it finds a good home.

-Knut

Is there a british or other european production single of the late 70's and 80's which one could field against the Yamaha SR500? I can't think of one except the Devon Matchless G80. It's a 4-valve design, and could be had with twin brake discs and electric starting.
Unfortunately it wasn't a sounding success due to financial circumstances - however, it could and should have been!

Honda tried to tap in to the SR/TT's customer base with the XL500/600 and the GB500 in the 80's and 90's. The GB500 is a stylish bike, engine-wise more modern the the SR500, but maybe not as well built?
The popularity of the dual purpose bikes and super motards arrived at the beginning of the decennium and there are many contestors since.

-Knut

Early to mid 70’s Ducati 450 ?
RT, Scrambler and Desmo.
I’ve owned SR and TT, the TT was preferred (by me) but too much of a heavy dirt bike. SR was nice but lacked soul?
450 Scrambler (unrestored) is a very capable bike.
RT is a lot like the TT.
Yellow Desmo is my favourite all time bike.

Always liked the G80’s but could never afford one.

Graeme

I agree re the 450 Desmo. The same seller of my CS has one on eBay now. He is a quality collector and prices his bikes reasonably. That would be a jump out of the frying pan though as desmo parts prices are high.

I've got my eye on a Matchless Typhoon. Has anyone here ridden one?
I guess it would be like my old G80 on mild steroids.


Glen

worntorn said:

I've got my eye on a Matchless Typhoon. Has anyone here ridden one?
I guess it would be like my old G80 on mild steroids. Glen

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Nope, not steroids. Harry D. Wilson just tried to do little tweaks to up the power output by bore/ stroke to 600cc. It is what Matchless themselves should have done.

I'm not sure of your meaning as Matchless did do this with the 600 cc Typhoon and also the ajs badged 600?
Harry Wilson came up with the idea with his 600cc kits but Matchless followed with their own version, the G80TCS. The bike I'm after is a G80TCS , the factory built 600.

I have to think that the TCS rides just like a CS but with more power. It would be a very cool bike to own, probably difficult to find with a lighting package.

If money doesn't matter, and thinking vertically, the next step up in terms of power is the G50CSR - a G80CS combined with the (for its time) modern G50 engine. In a detuned version, it will produce around 47-48 hp. Want more torque? Make it a 600cc by stroking the short-stroke engine. I havent't seen one in the flesh, but it can't be too difficult given the chain-driven OHC. A new barrel and crankshaft is all it takes.

Want even more power? Order a DOHC 4V G50 engine from Andy Molnar. [4-valve heads wasn't a novelty in GB, the first engine having a 4-valve head was producd in the 1930's. AJS/Matchless themselves produced a 3-valve 7R engine - the smaller sibling of the G50 - in the early 1950's].
In a 600cc configuration, this ultimate G50TCS+ will produce more power and torque than the chassis and transmission can possibly handle.


-Knut

GRM 450 said:

Early to mid 70’s Ducati 450 ?
RT, Scrambler and Desmo.
450 Scrambler (unrestored) is a very capable bike.
RT is a lot like the TT. Yellow Desmo is my favourite all time bike.

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Rated output was 23 hp @ 6500 rpm despite 9.3:1 CR from what I read. I don't see much potential there? It did have a weight advantage though, being as light as a contemporary 250cc bike. Why didn't Ducati make it a full-fledged 500 and field it against the SR500/XT500? Probably because it was overstretched already.

-Knut

The wide case Ducati engine has its heritage from the early narrow case 175cc
A 500 would need new everything.
450 was more than a stretch for a publicly available motorcycle.
A good 450 with 10:1 and some breathing mods is a worthy machine.
Light weight and very nimble
My yellow bike will see off the mk3 850 point a to b. Especially on corners.

nice Matchless G80CS.....I own some G85CS and a G80TCS .....

mdt-son said:

Hi Scout63 what's a restored G80CS going for these days - 12 grand?

-Knut

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depends on where bike is.... there are more in USA sold than Europe. not much here in Holland. cheers Frank

GRM 450 said:

Early to mid 70’s Ducati 450 ?
RT, Scrambler and Desmo.
I’ve owned SR and TT, the TT was preferred (by me) but too much of a heavy dirt bike. SR was nice but lacked soul?
450 Scrambler (unrestored) is a very capable bike.
RT is a lot like the TT.
Yellow Desmo is my favourite all time bike.

Always liked the G80’s but could never afford one.

Graeme

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Hi Graeme
I had a 1972 450 desmo silver shot gun used to blow off Bonneville's in a stright line and leave them for dead through the corners.