MATCHLESS G80
Matchless made their first motorcycle in 1901, and the successful G80 model was introduced in 1946. The 500cc G80 was popular, but by the late fifties, American buyers demanded more power, and a limited number of high performance models were developed for the American market.
MATCHLESS G80CS
Matchless offered a “Competition Suspension” model called the G80CS.
MATCHLESS G80TCS
For three years (1959 – 1961), an even better model was the G80TCS Typhoon. Just 125 were built, and most were exported to the US. The Typhoon had a larger bore and stroke, increasing the engine size to 600cc, and was fitted with a 1 3/8 GP carburetor. The Typhoon is a highly collectable bike today, and well restored examples are hard to find.
The 600cc engine was originally developed by AMC for the “Africa Corps” (the African desert contingent of the English military) in the mid-1950s. Later the Typhoon was sold as a desert racer in the USA. The Typhoon was the favorite ride of the late and revered journalist Bob Greene, editor of both ‘Cycle’ and ‘Motorcyclist’ magazines.
Both Matchless and sister company AJS sold 600cc Typhoons in the U.S., each with an extra 100cc (actually 77cc) over the Matchless G80 and AJS 18CS models, obtained via a bore/stroke of 89 x 96mm vs. 86 x 85.5mm for the 500cc bikes. Otherwise the bikes are largely identical. Cycle magazine came away very impressed with the 600 after testing it in the April, 1959 issue, noting, “In brief, the AJS Typhoon provides all the performance required of a 500cc-plus competition single, without the noise, intractability and extravagance once accepted as the inevitable price of riding a scrambler. It is a blend of punch and charm which is the special appeal of this model.” AJS Typhoons were only manufactured in 1959 and limited to 50 units.
The name Matchless disappeared after 1966, but not before it left a mark on the history of British motorcycle riding in America.
