The Latest Version of the D/80

Matchless

A next Year's Mount Which Goes Quickly Quietly

SAFETY, silence and speed. In those three words is described the 1935 version of the now famous “Sports Five Hundred” Matchless, or, as it is more prosaically called in the catalogue, the model D/80, an example of which has just gone through a searching test in the hands of Motor Cycling.
To describe the machine more than cursorily would be redundant, because lull details of its specification were given in Motor Cycling last week. Suffice it to state, therefore, that the model is evolved from the machine which was produced in 1932 to meet the demands of the hard rider. The engine is a highly tuned 300 c.c. o.h.v. 2-port unit in the planning of which attention has been given to the most minute detail. The transmission is via a four-speed Burman gearbox operated by a positive-stop toot-change which is totally enclosed, and both these units are carried in a cradle frame of particularly massive construction. Following popular practice, the engine is mounted in an inclined position and the bottom of the tank is recessed to give easy access to the cylinder head.

Town Riding

Upon taking over the Matchless, several days of town utility riding were put in for the purpose of running in the various bearings, because the machine was absolutely brand new when handed over to the tester. With the realization that here was a machine specially designed for mile annihilating, great care was taken when first riding it over traffic-congested tramlines. It was soon apparent, however, that for sheer ease of handling and ability to tick along steadily at low speeds the " Sports Five Hundred " was a pleasure to ride. Either of the independently operated brakes could be used on greasy surfaces without the slightest risk of provoking a skid, and the feet could be retained on the rests for just so long as the wheels continued to revolve.
In traffic stops, too, there was no need to blip the engine constantly to prevent "losing" it. With the ignition lever partially retarded the motor would tick away until further orders, its upswept exhaust pipes emitting a scarcely audible breathing. On several occasions passers-by paused to look twice at this sleek, hand-some machine standing there so quietly. and one could almost visualize the more pleasant trend which their thoughts towards motorcycles were taking. The machine is a very ambassador for the cause of motorcycling.
At times when it was thought advisable to stop the engine in a particularly long-drawn-out jam. the presence c: the new exhaust valve lifter was found to be a perfect boon. Two kicks were the most which were ever needed to bring the engine back to life. Even after the machine had been left standing for a long period, starting was ridiculously easy except on one occasion, when the petrol had inadvertently been left turned on. The down-draught carburetter had flooded incontinently during the