At the age of 12 Bruno Rossati began working eleven hour days.
"Now, approaching 91, I find myself reminiscing about my youth, still riding my motorcycle every day.
Letter re Ladetto
1930
1931
1932
1933
1935
The Matchless catalogue for the 1935 season included the following models:
Matchless 1935 Sports Model 35/F4 246 c.c.
Matchless 1935 Model 35/F7 246 c.c.
Matchless 1935 Model 35/D3 3.47 H.P.
Matchless 1935 Model 35/CS. 4.95 H.P.
Matchless 1935 Model 35/D5 4.98 H.P.
Matchless 1935 Model 35/D80 4.98 H.P.
Matchless 1935 Model 35/C 586 c.c. Single
Matchless 1935 Silver Hawk Model 35/B 593 c.c. V-Four
Matchless 1935 Model 35/X4. 9.9 H.P.
Matchless 1935 No. 3 Sidecar, No. 13 Two-Seater Sidecar and others.
More about Matchless 1935 Models
1936
For the 1936 season all single-cylinder engines were vertically situated in the frame, whereas previous models were fitted with inclined engines. The models made for the 1936 season are as outlined in the table below:
| Model. | Bore, mm. |
Stroke, mm. |
Capacity, c.c. | Engine |
|
| Clubman Models |
| ||
|
36/G2 |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
O.H.V. |
|
36/G2M |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
O.H.V. |
|
36/G3 |
69 |
93 |
350 |
O.H.V. |
|
36/G80 |
82.5 |
93 |
500 |
O.H.V. |
|
Tourist Models |
| |||
|
36/D5 |
82.5 |
93 |
500 |
S.V. |
|
36/X4 |
85.5 |
85.5 |
990 |
S.V. |
G2 models. Basically the same as model F4 of 1934. Coil ignition fitted; Burman four-speed H.P.-type gearbox.
G2M models. The same as the G2 model, with the exception that a magneto was used in place of coil ignition.
Model G3. Hairpin valve-springs were introduced.
Model G80. This is basically the same as the 350 c.c. engine, but the O.H.V. rocker-gear is positively lubricated from the oil pump.
Model D5. This has an improved side-valve engine with detachable cylinder-head. A medium weight C.P.-type gearbox was fitted and is the same as 1934 models.
Model X4. Much the same as previous models, but with changes in the connecting-rods and big-end assembly. Forked-type connecting-rods were first introduced for this season. Lubrication details for both gearbox and engine remained the same for the following few years.
More about Matchless 1936 Models
1937 Models
| Model. | Bore, mm. | Stroke, mm. |
Capacity, cc |
Engine. |
|
37/G2 |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
O.H.V. (Coil). |
|
37/G2M |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
O.H.V. (Mag.). |
37/G3 |
69 |
93 |
350 |
O.H.V. |
|
37/G80 |
82.5 |
93 |
500 |
O.H.V. |
|
37/G2MC |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
O.H.V. (Competition). |
|
37/G3C |
69 |
93 |
350 |
O.H.V. (Competition). |
|
37/G80C |
82.5 |
93 |
50 |
O.H.V. (Competition). |
|
37/G7 |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
S.V. (Coil). |
|
37/G5 |
82.5 |
93 |
500 |
S.V. (Coil). |
|
37/X |
85.5 |
85.5 |
990 |
S.V. (Twin). |
Dry-sump lubrication is used on all models similar to earlier engines. Side-valve engines have
detachable cylinder-heads. A four-speed gearbox with positive foot-change is used on all these
machines.
1938-1939
The following table shows the Matchless models made for the 1938-1939 season.
|
Model. |
Bore, mm. |
Stroke, mm. |
Capacity, c.c. |
Engine. Ignition. |
|
38/G7-39/G7 |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
S.V. Coil. |
|
38/G2- 39/G2 |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
O.H.V. Coil. |
|
38/G2M-39/G2M |
62.5 |
80 |
250 |
O.H.V. Magneto. |
|
38/G3-39/G3 |
69 |
93 |
350 |
O.H.V. Magneto. |
|
38/G4-39/G4 |
69 |
93 |
350 |
O.H.V. Magneto.* |
|
3K/G5-39/G5 |
82.5 |
93 |
500 |
S.V. Coil. |
|
38/G80 -39/G80 |
82.5 |
93 |
500 |
O.H.V. Magneto. |
|
38/G90 -39/G90 |
82.5 |
93 |
500 |
O.H.V. Magneto.* |
|
38/X-39/X |
85.5 |
85.5 |
990 |
S.V. Magneto. |
The letter "C" included in the engine number denotes Competition models.
* Special Clubman models.
Source: Adapted from Matchless by F.W. Neill, 1948
