1960 Matchless G12
650 Twin
1960 MATCHLESS G12 BACKGROUND
Just prior to World War II,
Triumph rocked the world with their seminal
500 Speed Twin, but the world had to wait for the war to end before the rest of the industry would have a chance to catch up. At war's end, BSA was first to respond with their own 500cc vertical twin, the 1946 A7.
Norton was next, followed by
Matchlessfollowed in 1949, Norton with the Model 7, and Matchless with their
G9. Of course, every Matchless came with a matching AJS back then (and they called them "Matchless"), in this case the AJS Model 20. Triumph being the first one to the party, they were also the first to start upping the ante in the horsepower-wars. In 1950, they bored and stroked out their own 500 to make the world's first Triumph 650, the
6T Thunderbird, and most of the rest of the industry followed suit the best they could. Matchless and AJS countered in kind, bumping their 500's displacement up to 650cc in 1958, along with new names, the Matchless G12 and the AJS Model 31. These were followed in turn by a larger version still, the 750cc Matchless G15 and AJS Model 33 in 1963.
1960 Matchless G12 SPECIFICATIONS
Model Designations, Matchless/AJS
Engine type
Displacement
Bore & Stroke
Compression ratio
Lubrication
Oil capacity
Fuel system
Ignition System
Power output
Battery
Primary drive
Clutch
Gearbox
Final drive
Suspension, front
Suspension, rear
Brakes, front
Brakes, rear
Frame type
Tire, front
Tire, rear
Dry weight
Fuel capacity
Fuel economy
Top speed
|
G12 / Model 31
Air-cooled OHV vertical twin
646cc / 39.4 ci
72mm X 79.3mm
7.5:1
Dry sump
2.5 L / 5.3 US pints
1 - Amal 389 1-1/8"
Lucas distributor & points
35 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Lucas 6V 12aH
1/2" X 5/16" single chain
Multi-plate, wet
4-speed, right-foot shift
5/8" X 3/8" chain, 96 links
AMC Teledraulic forks
Swing arm w/2 shocks
7 -n SLS drum
7-in SLS drum
Double cradle
3.25" X 19" Dunlop
3.50" X 19" Dunlop
396 lbs / 180 kg
4.5 US gal / 17 L
55 mpg / 23.4 km/L
95 mph
|
Check out these MATCHLESS BOOKS


Matchless: The Complete Story


Matchless, once the largest British motorcycle manufacturer


AJS and Matchless Post-War Singles and Twins: The Complete Story


Motorcycle Apprentice: Matchless - in name & reputation (Classic Reprint)


History of Matchless Motorcycles


Matchless and Ajs Restoration


BOOK OF THE MATCHLESS 350 & 500cc SINGLES 1955-1966


AJS and Matchless: The Post-war Models


AJS and Matchless Gold Portfolio 1945-1966


Illustrated Ajs and Matchless Buyer's Guide (Illustrated Buyer's Guide)
For more like this, please visit our
MATCHLESS MOTORCYCLE BOOKSTORE
Please visit our
MOTORCYCLE BOOK STORE
Take a tour of our site...
HOME PAGE
Triumph Motorcycles
.....Bonneville
.....Tiger
.....Trophy
.....TR6
.....TR7
.....Trident
.....X-75 Hurricane
.....6T Thunderbird
.....5T Speed Twin
.....Daytona
.....Twenty-One
.....3T 350 Twins
BSA Motorcycles
.....A65
.....A10
.....A7
.....Gold Star
.....Bantam
.....Rocket 3
.....B50
Norton Motorcycles
.....Commando
.....Atlas
.....Dominator
.....Model 7
.....Manx
.....Navigator
AMC-Associated Motor Cycles
Matchless-AJS Motorcycles
.....G3
.....G9
.....G12
.....G80
Royal Enfield Motorcycles
.....Interceptor
.....Bullet
Ariel Motorcycles
.....Square Four
.....Red Hunter
.....Cyclone
Vincent Motorcycles
.....Black Shadow
.....Rapide
.....Comet
.....Egli-Vincent
Velocette Motorcycles
.....KSS
.....KTT
.....LE
.....MAC
.....Thruxton
.....Venom
.....LE
Rickman Motorcycles
Japanese Motorcycles
.....Honda
.....Kawasaki
.....Suzuki
.....Yamaha
Cafe Racers
....Triumph Cafe Racers
.....Norton Cafe Racers
.....Other Cafe Racers
Choppers & Bobbers
.....Choppers
.....Triumph Choppers
.....BSA Choppers
.....Rat Bikes
Classic Racing Motorcycles
Classic Motorcycle Events
.....Auctions
.....Shows
.....Rides
Classic Motorcycle Restoration
Classic Motorcycle Shops
Classic Motorcycle Clubs
Send us Pictures of YOUR BIKE
YOUR BIKE Pictures
HOME PAGE
.....About Us
.....Site Map
.....CONTACT US
.....Please visit our BLOG
.....Subscribe to our FREE e-zine BRIT IRON
.....BRIT IRON E-zine Back Issues
Visit our STORES
.....Motorcycle Books
.....Motorcycle Magazines
.....Motorcycle Calendars
.....Motorcycle Accessories
..........Motorcycle Helmets
..........Motorcycle Rain Suits
..........Motorcycle Locks & Security
..........Motorcycle T-Shirts
..........Motorcycle Diecast Models
..........GoPro Cameras
.....Motorcycle Parts
..........Motorcycle Tires
..........Motorcycle Chains
..........Motorcycle Batteries
..........Motorcycle Handlebars
.....Motorcycle Tools
..........Whitworth Tools
..........Tire Tools
..........Chain Tools
Crazy about cars, too? Check out our sister site:
www.American-Muscle-Cars.net
Back to top - 1960 Matchless G12Last updated 12/6/16
Learn how to BUILD YOUR OWN WEBSITE, like I did.