Back in India, the mechanic had told me that the front brake shoes on my Matchless G3Ls motorcycle were getting a bit low but would probably need replacing in a year or two’s time. However the parts weren’t available there and my attempts at getting spares sent across from the UK had fallen foul of …
After moving from India to here in Hong Kong, I took my Matchless G3Ls to one of the local garages specialising in classic bikes for a good check over. I was reasonably sure that my mechanic back in Hyderabad knew what he was doing, but just wanted to be extra sure that everything was as …
I’ve just got back from a couple of weeks holiday in Borneo and wow, what an amazing place that is! So much wildlife you wouldn’t believe from the bulbous-nosed Proboscis Monkeys, Bornean Gibbons, Pygmay Elephants, stunning coral reefs and an array of weird and wonderful birds, butterflies and lizzards. But of course all that was …
Back when I was living in India, it proved impossible to source the proper spark plugs (e.g. a simple NGK B7ES) for my Matchless. The spark plug the mechanic recommended and had installed in my G3Ls was a Bosch type designed for Royal Enfield Bullets. The bike seemed to run ok on this, albeit a …
I’ve just arrived in Hong Kong and my 1951 Matchless G3Ls is (I hope!) currently floating across the waters from India on it’s way to join me here. So are there any other old Matchless (or AJS) motorbikes here at all? Can anyone recommend a good local mechanic or know where I might be able …
All of our household belongings are being shipped from Hyderabad to Hong Kong and the relocation company confirmed that my Matchless motorbike could also go in the same shipping container. However, all of the fluids would first need to be drained from the bike as these are viewed as a potential fire or explosion risk. …
So, it looks like my adventures with my Matchless in India will shortly be drawing to and end. My wife’s work contract in Hyderabad will finish around mid-April along with all of our visa documentation. And so it will be time to leave India after 18 incredible months and move on to pastures new. And …
I passed my Indian motorbike driving test today – hurray! I now have a full motorbike licence for the first time having never bothered to go further than a CBT course and L-plates back home. Now I know there will be a lot of comments from back in the UK that Indian driving tests are …
I had an interesting trip out on the bike today: The final stage of getting the registration paperwork complete is that you have to take the bike to the local “RTA” (road traffic agency?) office for an inspection. I guess it’s a bit like taking the bike for an MOT back in the UK, only …
Went out for a ride this afternoon and stopped off at a friends house on the way back. When I came to leave, I went to put my foot on the kick-start and… it had gone! I guess it must not have been tightened up properly after the mechanic had been working on the gearbox …