Matchy??

[Jackrat]

Was in Mt Albert today an saw a guy siting at the lights on a Matchless.
It had a matchless M on the tank but only looked to be about ten or so years old.Twin cylinder,twin spar swing arm frame,single disc front brake,black an silver.
What was it???anybody know??

[kneescraper]

It might have been a Matchless, my tutor told me that they still make them over seas (dont know to believe him or not) and that hes going to the place they make them at the end of the year.

[Motu]

One of these? Looks like a Rotax motor - I don't really know much about them,but seem to remember them being built.Made in europe I expect - they did a similar thing with BSA a few years back too.

[Paul in NZ]

Dudes

These things were made by LF Hariss. The same guy that did the Triumph T140's under license from John Bloor while he was setting up the Hinckley factory. These things we reviled as Hariss Horrors but were actually not too bad and lets face it, keep the triumph name going!!

He recognised the need for a middle sized bike of this time before BMW came up with the Funduro and apparently they were good bikes! I could dig the article out but from memory, one of the things that killed them was no electric start or some thing... I believe he called them G80 (like the old 500)

They are not really a 'proper' matchless but they were a good bike. I have seen at least 2 in NZ.

Cheers

[Jackrat]

Yeah Motu,Thats the bike,thanks for the Pic.
A mate of mine has a Harris Thunderbird 650,he blows it up every couple of years but it does go well in between rebuilds.

[Motu]

Found a bit more about it,kinda drawn out read,but I'd take anything with a Rotax engine - this is why...

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/match03092400.html