 Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 84
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 84 |
Went to Poole Quay today, always an interesting spot, and was joined by an old Exclelsior 250 and Matchless 500. Took some pics, and laughed at the mess under the Matchless that appeared in less than 5 minutes! Those were the days, eh! Here y'go: The Excelsior, fresh from competing in an event, with the matchless behind:  All three:  The mess under the Matchless:  Good times :-)
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Professional geek, photographer and dad to the four best people in the world..
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 331
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 331 |
from memory the Matchless name was bought by Suzuki who actually bought out one model with the name. Had no success so quickly disappeared. Could be wrong as it was a long time ago. You could always tell where many of the old english bikes had been parked!!!!!! 
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
From the oil on the ground you can certainly tell it's the genuine article. 
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
I would love to have an Excelsior, those things are tough
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
I love the horn on the Excelsior... I guess in an emergency stop situation one could activate it with a helmet...
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 84
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 84 |
The excelsior sounded fantastic! Took him a couple of goes, but when then fired up it was great, really crisp, free revving, and LOUD. Cloud of twostroke exhaust fumes though!
The owner had clearly got that little bike running fabulously, and it weighs next to nothing, and when he pulled away it shot off like a scalded cat.. Very cool indeed.
The matchless had a deep note, and was also well sorted, but when he started up everything on that bike was shaking and rattling, the forks were wobbling back and forth a good inch, and despite still being on the center stand the whole machine was gradually moving backwards!
Thumpers :-)
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Professional geek, photographer and dad to the four best people in the world..
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
I had several bikes that leaked much worse than that. People used to tell me my 66 was leaking when I parked it. I used to tell them that was good because if it wasn't then there wasn't anything in it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Love your description of the Matchless running on the centre stand... I can just picture it's vibration causing it to move! The Excelsior's front end is sooooo cool. I'd love to own either one of those bikes (or both)!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Quote:
I had several bikes that leaked much worse than that. People used to tell me my 66 was leaking when I parked it. I used to tell them that was good because if it wasn't then there wasn't anything in it.
My buddy says my '66 has a "total loss primary oiling system". I just put a pan under it in the garage and don't park on anyone's nice driveway, etc.
Al
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Re: Excelsior, Matchless and the Triumph :-)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
 yep, knowing how the dog feels means you "get it" .......
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