A video of my Matchless G3Ls engine running
The chain guard and clutch cover were still to be fitted when the engine was started for me for the first time last week, so naturally the engineer in me was enthralled by all the gears and chains whizzing round. So much so that I thought I best record a quick video clip to show the Missus (not that she would be in the slightest bit interested of course – “oh, that’s nice dear” would no doubt be the most excited response I could hope for!).
Have you ever wondered what a Matchless engine sounds like when it’s running without an exhaust? Me neither, but I found out anyway when the temporary Bullet exhaust that the mechanic had jammed into place fell off whilst he was demonstrating the rebuilt engine. I’m still surprised when an engine runs without an exhaust, mainly because I’m more used to temperamental two-strokes. Anyway, I thought I’d record another quick video for posterity! Certainly a quite different sound as you can hear in the clip below.
The engine running, but without an exhaust
You might have noticed that the clutch wheel seems to be rotating backwards (i.e. clockwise) in these two video clips. But don’t worry, this isn’t some horrendous error on the part of the mechanic who rebuilt the engine, just the stroboscopic effect of the low frame-rate that my digital camera records movies at (the same effect as makes wagon wheels appear to rotate backwards in old western’s). It confused me to start with, until I realised what was going on!
So, how does the engine sound do you think? And does that chain look a bit too on the lose side?