Matchless Silver Arrow
Matchless Silver Arrow
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In late 1929 Matchless launched the Matchless Silver Arrow, a cast iron head monoblock SV, 400 cc, narrow angle transverse18° V-twin motorcycle with chain drive designed by Charles Collier. The narrow angle of the V allowed the use of a one piece head, a practice utilised by Lancia in its early V4 automobile engines. The rear suspension was a cantilever design using two springs and friction dampers beneath the saddle, very similar to the 1928 Vincent HRD design. Linked brakes were used, as had appeared on the 1925 Rudge Four. The carburetor was an Amal type 4/014 (bottom petrol feed). The bike did not sell well and within the year led to the Bert Collier designed Matchless Silver Hawk. Two models were produced, the 'Standard model' which had acetylene lighting and bulb horn and the 'De Luxe model' which had electric lighting and instrument panel. In 1931 both were designated A/2 and minor changes included a four speed gearbox with improved gear ratios with lower 1st and higher top gear and a more rounded petrol tank, the Amal carburettor jet was changed from 70 to 55 and the diameter of the exhaust pipe was increased with ports on the head spaced further apart (6 5/8" instead of 5 1/8").