GOING ROTAX
Like many of us, I’ve enjoyed the long-running saga of Frank’s Devonshire-built, almost-but-not-quite a British bike which has appeared in RC a couple of times. I’d assumed it was a ‘keeper’because our great leader had told us so on several occasions. So when he mentioned in passing that he planned to have a clear-out I indicated that I might be persuaded to take it on, not believing for a moment that he was ever really going to sell it…
A few weeks later the Matchless washed up on these fair North Dorset shores courtesy of another RC subscriber (thanks, Dave). I heaved it onto the bench, noting the sticky front brake; still, I’m sure the rib will eventually pop back into place. The bike looked… grubby. All Frank’s bikes seem to, that’s because he’s a rider, not a polisher. To me, a happy bike (and rider) is a clean one, so I set to with the paraffin and polish and ended up with what you see here.
