Lighter than a Manx

The 500cc Matchless G50 was developed in 1958 by Associated Motorcycles (AMC) at the former Matchless works in London from the highly successful 350cc AJS 7R. Approximately 180 factory G50s were made up to 1963. A race-winning package in the late Fifties, the G50 was lighter than its main competitor the Manx Norton, and as result was often more competitive on tighter, short circuits.

Featuring the frame number ‘GBLW’ (George Beale Light Weight), this example features a CSR engine, the type originally fitted to the street-legal G50 CSR. The CSR was produced by Matchless for homologation purposes so that it could race in the AMA series in the USA. According to the seller, the machine is in good condition, requiring only light recommissioning after a period of long inactivity. The bike might make an ideal contender for Goodwood's Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy race.