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1963 Matchless CSR 650 Ex Police Bike December 4th 2011
Here is a most unexpected but very pleasant turn up, a 1963 Matchless CSR650 ex police bike, found in a outer Brisbane suburb in a back yard shed, untouched for at least 15 years the previous owner told me.
After purchasing and through inspection we estimate that this bike had not fired a shot for probably 30 years or more, showing only 5000 miles and we believe this to be accurate, it was/is in total original condition missing only the chain guard, probably long lost by the original owner. As you can see the bike looks like it has been through hell and back but in fact hardly a bolt on it has ever had a spanner to it, the poor thing has just been left in the weather too much, but the only real downside to the bike is that the motor was seized, as were the carb and the magneto. It of course needed things like new cables, a seat replacement or repair, tyres etc but in reality was a easy project to complete, and after a engine rebuild it is now pretty much done, but not cosmetically restored. To me the original condition as found is the way it should stay, if you look in a dictionary the word restored has many meanings and one of them is "to make function as before", and that has been done.
Ok below are pictures and a small video of it running, and by the way, it fired up on the very first kick after the rebuild.
All pictures above, the bike as bought home with various old school parts with it.
Working on the motor to get it un stuck and a bit of polishing while we wait.
New tyres, all lights now working, the seat which is to be replaced as it is cheaper than to repair this one.
I will get some more detailed pictures in the next week or so.
Not the very first start but close.
December 10 2011, Below is a short video I took in the garage today after a quick spin, the front brakes are grabbing so I need to attend to that quickly, everything else seems fine. I will give it a final clean now to clean what I can the best it can be without any painting. I am very happy with the look including the rust that can't be removed. I think the bike would lose all appeal if it were stripped and made to look new again.
I'll be doing a bike running and in motion video soon.
ALL ENGINE WORK WAS COMPLETED BY MY GOOD FRIEND FROM SCHOOL DAYS, WILL KNIGHT. IF YOU LIVE IN THE BRISBANE AREA AND NEED BRITISH BIKE WORK DONE I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIS SERVICES. CONTACT ME AND I WILL PUT YOU IN TOUCH.
Below - THE FINISH LINE, mmm are they ever really finished?, {The true mastery of restoration is proper function and longevity of that proper function. Pretty-ness is just a add on.} - Chris Dupen 1995 -
The Matchless is now complete and ready for another 50 years of service, of course it does have its downfalls given its 50 year old technology but those are forgiven and accepted.
The seat, it was, it wasn't, it is, the original base was very rusted so I had that repaired, my friend Will, decided he wanted that base because it was "more" correct for his factory finish Matchelss and I took the one from his bike, that base was then foamed and covered stock like by John Moorehouse at Capalaba, see pics up the page a little, nice job but not my style. I added adjustable clubman bars purchased from Precision Performance Motorcycle parts, oem@motorcycle-parts.com.au, after which I took to the John Moorehouse seat foam with a electric bread knife and cut it to the desired shape. I then took the seat to John Clough at 1-53 Meadow St Coopers Plains for a new cover, choose some fabrics and a week later here it is. Mighty job john.