Hudson's New Old 56 Matchless G80CS,

Niehart · Mar 23, 2012

Not mine but ... Local estate sale ...

My friend bought the 58 Matchless D80CS for $4100.00 at this estate sale. He liked it because it was a little more period correct, original horn and hand air pump. Mike took the '58' home, put a new battery and gas in the bike and the darn thing started on the 3rd kick. They don't even do that when they were new. The only problem is that the petcocks leak like crazy.

Can't say the 56 will do that but it was restored by the same fellow.

PM me if you want more info.

Dave B

Niehart · Apr 5, 2012

Looks like we might have a local buyer. After looking at and listening to Mike's 58 Matchless, one of our forum members is going to check out the '56' today.

Niehart · Apr 5, 2012

Bought by a forum member. Sweet!

dcarver · Apr 5, 2012

Can you say who the lucky dawg is?

Auburn · Apr 5, 2012

dcarver said:
Can you say who the lucky dawg is?

he rides a Hudson. Funny thing, I get a call from him last night asking me to talk him out of it. I told him you already bought, you just haven't paid for it yet. Seriously, it looks like a very nice bike from what he told me about it.

escapefjrtist · Apr 5, 2012

AuburnFJR said:
dcarver said:

Can you say who the lucky dawg is?

Click to expand...

he rides a Hudson. Funny thing, I get a call from him last night asking me to talk him out of it. I told him you already bought, you just haven't paid for it yet. Seriously, it looks like a very nice bike from what he told me about it.

Proud new owner, looks like fun!

--G

Hudson · Apr 5, 2012

Thanks to Niehart, my weird Uncle Henry is coming to stay awhile. Henry is the name I've given the G80c cafe. I'd been hearing about these bikes for sale for a few weeks, and when I spied Mike's G80CS and saw how immaculate it was, and then heard what he paid, well....my wallet started itching.

Here's Mikes:

So we rode over today and saw the other mate. It was just like Mike's but had a Honda CD400 tank, lower bars, velocity stacks, finned front brakes, Italian Borrani rims, a sweet Smith's tach, and a cafe style seat.

I did the damage while Niehart loaded Uncle Henry on the trailer.

Uncle Henry had set in one place for about 11 years. He had a fine sheen of oil all over him, which gave him a yellowed complexion, but which prevented any speck of rust from invading the otherwise immaculate body. I got Uncle Henry home, and promptly gave him a bath and shine. He cleaned up real nice:

Uncle Henry needs a battery and a change of Zinc 50wt oil, and then we'll see if he cranks over as well as Mikey's G80.

A big thanks to Niehart for spending my money....

Niehart · Apr 6, 2012

Battery, oil and gas... let's getter done! :yahoo:

beemerdons · Apr 6, 2012

Congratulations, Hudson; that is a real Beauty, Enjoy!

Hudson · Apr 6, 2012

Niehart calls me after lunch. He's wanting to come over with Mikey to see if Uncle Henry can be shocked back to life.

I meet them at the house and we set to adding oil in the tranny case, which was bone dry, and in the oil tank. Fill him with a bit of gas and add Mikey's battery, which doesn't quite fit but we bungey it close enough.

Kick him over a few times, nothing. Not getting fuel. I add a litre extra while Niehart plays with the petcock [beemerdons, please resist the urge to comment]. Finally we see fuel coming through the lines.

Mikey kicks a few more times. On the fifth or six kick, Uncle Henry wakes up from his 12 year nap with a loud bark, then settles in to a nice four stroke thump. Mikey takes Henry around the block to get his sea legs back, then hands Henry off to me. I kick Henry myself to get acquainted, then we take another walk around the block. Then another. Henry's reflexes are actually too good (or I'm not quite as acquainted with the vintage guy as Mikey is). Damn front drum brakes work really well. Shifter takes some getting used to. Have to bang on it like I did with the FJR the first 100 miles.

When I get done and park Henry, I have a big *** smile on my face. And a big woodie too. I am also certain that I've grown a few new chest hairs in this short excursion. My boy comes over and also gooses the throttle, feeling the surge of torque come through the bars. He smiles back.

Somewhere up high, Dad is surely smiling with us.

I look down after Henry has been sitting for a moment, and smile at the sight of oil dripping down. Wouldn't be British without oil on the ground.

Old bikes are pretty damn cool. Niehart should have some video to post soon. I am sure glad he and Mikey came over.

Bustanut joker · Apr 6, 2012

So long at the video isn't of yer "woodie"... Beemerdons would get "wood" an wanna show ya.. :blink: The fjr world ain't quite ready fer that yet. :yahoo:

Panman · Apr 6, 2012

Old uncle Henry would like a real air cleaner! Velocity stacks are are quick way to a bore job and a new piston. Ask me quietly why I know.

escapefjrtist · Apr 7, 2012

Very nice Hudson...good to read that Henry is already marking his turf.

Can't wait to see the new [old] scoot!

--G

Hudson · Apr 7, 2012

Lessee if I can get a battery by next weekend. I don't have any FJR farkles or maintenance, and Uncle Henry has a slightly loose kick starter. Probably trailer him over, though.

Niehart · Apr 7, 2012

Video sucked but got couple of pictures and sent your way.

That engine is awesome, 3rd gear.. 1st gear.. leaves the line in either gear. And the looks of that 500 single, WOW!

yamafitter · Apr 7, 2012

Bustanut joker said:
So long at the video isn't of yer "woodie"... Beemerdons would get "wood" an wanna show ya.. :blink: The fjr world ain't quite ready fer that yet. :yahoo:

BeemerDons was 'over the moon' during the Copper Canyon excursion and insisted on showing his moon in the Copper Canyon video. Those of us who have seen this scene in the video are scarred for life.

PS. The Smith mechanical tach is awesome old school.

Bungie · Apr 7, 2012

Nice thing about these old bikes, when your wife makes you hold her purse, or says you can't go out to play, you can rubberstamp your man card for another month with just one ride.

beemerdons · Apr 7, 2012

yamafitter said:
Bustanut joker said:

So long at the video isn't of yer "woodie"... Beemerdons would get "wood" an wanna show ya.. :blink: The fjr world ain't quite ready fer that yet. :yahoo:

Click to expand...

BeemerDons was 'over the moon' during the Copper Canyon excursion and insisted on showing his moon in the Copper Canyon video. Those of us who have seen this scene in the video are scarred for life.

PS. The Smith mechanical tach is awesome old school.

So Bust, when did you turn into a pompous prude? And Bill, always happy to share! Really looking forward to seeing the video of Old Uncle Henry up and running down the road, a Matchless G80C is a true Motorcycle Classic.

I grew up pining for and longing to buy either a BSA Gold Star 500 or the Matchless G80CS. But when I graduated from High School in 1966, the Goldie was long gone and so was our local Matchless dealer: I settled for a 1967 BSA Victor 441 instead, it was never the equal of the Goldie or the G80CS!

ahchiu · Apr 7, 2012

Congrats Dave, I'm going to be in your hood this evening, I would love to stop by and check Henry out, I will give you a call later, you need to ride this to Backfire Moto.

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