Matchless G9
Matchless G9 Twin
.The Matchless G9 and correspondingAJS Model 20 were launched at the post war Earls Court motorcycle show in late1948. Initially for export to the US, it was not until the late summer of 1949that the first examples reached the home market. The styling was modern and thedual seat, megaphone silencers and bright chrome finish justified the name ofSuper Clubman for the matchless and Spring Twin for the AJS. The rest of thecycle parts were standard AMC, with the engine being housed in a pivoted forkframe with telescopic front forks. The basic design changed little over thecourse of the next few years, the most significant change being made in 1952when a new Burman gearbox was adopted.In 1951, the rear suspension was upgraded to the Jampot unit, derided for itsshape in the 28 September issue of the Motor Cycle magazine. In the same yearminor changes included a new Lucas horn-push on the handlebar and a medallionbadge in place of the previously used transfer. Front fork shuttle damping wasalso replaced with rod and damper-type.Progressively developed, the G9's twin-cylinder engine underwent a number ofcapacity increases, finally being discontinued when the 646cc Matchless G12 (andAJS Model 31 replaced it in the autumn of 1958.