1986 Matchless G80 Rotax 500 Motorcycle

Description

The Matchless name was revived in the mid-1980s under the direction of Les Harris, owner of the Racing Spares Company, blending classic styling with modern engineering technology. The new G80 model, launched in mid-1987, was powered by an Austrian-made 494cc sohc Rotax engine described by Motorcycle Enthusiast magazine as being '?smooth, torquey and refined.' The front fork was a Paioli 35mm item with new-fangled anti-dive technology and the front disc brake (twin discs were optional) was also Italian, being sourced from Brembo. Electrics were 12-volt with electric start optional. As a virtually hand-made, boutique bike filling a small niche, the G80 was understandably expensive when new, costing £2,700 at the time of launch, which helped contribute to the small number of sales. Offered in silver, black or metallic burgundy with chassis components finished in black, while the headlamp, exhaust and wheel rims were chrome-finished. Sadly production came to halt in 1990 after around 350 Rotax-powered G80s had been made in South Devon, finally bringing an end to the famous Matchless name.