1958 matchless 650 for sale

[bsaalf]

hi all, i have just visited a old friend of mine who has a complete 1958 matchless 650 for sale he has owned it for 13 years riding it every day until 3 years ago when it blew a head gasket, since then he put it in his shed and stripped the head off fitted a new gasket bolted the head back and left it, the bike was never mint as he used it for his main transport but all worked fine the only mod he done was replaced the mag with a electronic ignition system it still turn over ok and he tell's me it should start once the petrol tank has been fitted and new fuel in it all the panels are straight can't see any rust or dent's he think the engine was from a 1960 650 it will really need a refurb to make it fully useable although what i can see of it everything is there even the wheels aren't really to rusty as they are covered in oil just need a good clean actually the whole bike really just need a good clean a really easy restoration job for the winter i reckon just bolt the rocker covers and tank back on fill with fresh fuel new battery clean and you have a useable bike, if anyone is interested in it please let me know as he asked me to sell it for him, needs as much cash as possible because has been made redundant

[groily]

They're not the easiest things to buy and sell Alf, although some of them are really very good. The model changes around the time you're talking about - starting with the frame (single down-tube for '58 probably) and including the engines - are quite important to those who live and breathe these things. Not sure when alternators came in - around then - so electronic sparks may or may not be a plus depending on whether there's any chance of survival for the battery. I live with a pair of these twins (neither is a 650 though), but don't breathe them exclusively.  The 500s/600s are quite nice, and a good 650 CSR can be made to be very nice indeed - and fast. Stock 650s, as in Model 31 AJS and G12 Matchless, are somewhere in between, according to the general consensus. Butt hey all sound very good, and there are some nice design touches, which make them a pleasure to play with in some ways. However, there be other things which make me very glad I also have BSAs.
 
You could do worse than contact Kettering Classic Bikes, which is the bike sales arm of the AJS and Matchless Owners' club. They sell on consignment, and they buy in where it makes sense. They certainly would have a good idea of value, and maybe a better route to the market than most of us here. They sell anything from oily-rag to very shiny.
Look at www.kettering-classics.com if interested.

[Lannis]

I'd be shocked if Kettering or any other dealer is at all interested in a bike that was cosmetically "used every day", has a non-stock engine, was assembled by an owner but never run, and has sat for years.

They'd want you to pay THEM to take it, even on consignment.  They want shiny matching-numbers bikes, that's what they want.

The only chance of getting any money at all out of it is to find a private party whose Dad had one back in the day, and who really wants another like it for sentimental reasons.  AND the person would have to know the type of bike well and be able to do the work, otherwise it would be too expensive to bring up to the road.

Your friend had best be patient!

Lannis

[bsaalf]

yes i agree, i think i will tell him to break it for spares and advertise them on ebay, he might get a few quid you never know probably get more than selling it complete cheer's!

[groily]

Think that's a bit harsh Lannis, although I do take your point! There are loads of non-mint workaday and not-recently-used bikes out there in the market which 'suffer' (it's not actually a disease) from non-matching numbers and a mix of bits, but they often offer a great route to affordable riding. They've almost all been mistreated at some point by owners of varying skill, and may often not run well or at all - so yes, the next guy has to know one end of a spanner from the other. But they still have a value, and the mistreatment point is just as true of shiny pricey bikes of all and any marque, which I have found are often worse!

For a very good handle on value of the bits, look at AMC Classic Spares web site and 2nd hand parts list, and subtract whatever for the fact that it's a private sale. They have pretty much all parts for all twins 2nd hand.



 

[Lannis]

Think that's a bit harsh Lannis, although I do take your point! There are loads of non-mint workaday and not-recently-used bikes out there in the market which 'suffer' (it's not actually a disease) from non-matching numbers and a mix of bits, but they often offer a great route to affordable riding.

I agree with you 100%, I have had many good miles out of those sorts of bikes.

My point was that DEALERS won't generally touch 'em.  They want shiny bikes that look good and have matching numbers and thus can be advertised as Rare Restored Vintage Classics, even if the internals are crap and it will barely run up the street, and they can charge big money.  They can't make anything off anything else.  

I'm just sayin' ... the owner ought not be looking for big money to get out of a financial bind, from this particular bike ....

Lannis

[LJ.]

It's a sad thing isn't it? A bike can run like a Swiss Watch but can look grubby in it's appearance and yet its the clapped out gem looking bike that'll make the money.

[Lannis]

It's a sad thing isn't it? A bike can run like a Swiss Watch but can look grubby in it's appearance and yet its the clapped out gem looking bike that'll make the money.

LJ -

Now what do you know about bikes that are "grubby in appearance"?  You, with all of these beautifully built and fettled bikes, and with two official Sweeps to keep the dirt at bay? 

Frans Hendriks' A10, now THERE's a bike that runs good but is VERY grubby in appearance.  I love it, too!

Lannis

[A10Boy]

Where is this Bike Alf, what sort of price is he looking for?

PM me if you want

[bsaalf]

hi andy, the bike is near norwich norfolk and as for the price he was talking of wanting somewhere in the region of £800.00 i think he would rather sell it whole than break it although i did tell him it could make more to break regards alf.

[LJ.]

Alf... If Andy declines then I may well be interested seeing that I'm not too far away from Norwich!

[A10Boy]

Alf
Thanks for the info but I am miles away so wont be coming to see.

LJ, Thanks for your polite consideration, but go for it good luck.

I would rather see a bike restored and used than broken up.

Cheers guys.

[LJ.]

Alf
Thanks for the info but I am miles away so wont be coming to see.

LJ, Thanks for your polite consideration, but go for it good luck.

I would rather see a bike restored and used than broken up.

Cheers guys.

Okay thanks Andy! I also dislike the idea of an old bike being broken up, especially if there is not a lot in need of doing to get it running again.

Alf... I have sent an email to you with my email address asking for possible photos, I may well act a brave guy and save this bike from the breakers! (Just don't let my Missus know or I'll end up at the breakers!) 

Cheers!
LJ.

[bsaalf]

ok LJ thanks, i have sent you a email and will be in touch shortly with pic's when he get back off holiday regards alf.

[bsaalf]

sorry guy's i spoke with john today and he say's he has decided to keep it now, i think his son might be going to restore it, at leas't he isn't going to break it sorry guy's ..