Matchless G3 and AJS Model 16 owners manuals
I’ve been collecting copies of the original Matchless owners manuals for the various G3 models for a while, so I thought it was about time I laid these out in some sort of chronological order. The Matchless G3 model variants covered are the G3, G3C, G3L, G3LC, G3LS and G3LCS. Sadly there are still quite a few years missing from the list, but perhaps you might have some of the ones currently available and could please get in touch? See the bottom on this page here for more details if you can help.
I have also included a list of the instruction manuals for the AJS Model 16 variants in the table below as these are pretty much the same as the equivalent Matchless G3 model of the same year. So where a Matchless manual isn’t available for a given year, the AJS version can usually be used as a substitute (and of course also vice-versa). The AJS Model 16 variants covered are the 16, 16M, 16MS, 16MC and 16MCS.
Many of the manuals also cover additional Matchless and AJS models in addition to the G3 and 16 ranges and these model numbers are given in brackets in the table below. In addition to the normal civilian instruction manuals provided with every new bike, there is also a further table below that which includes a few handbooks and technical guides produced by various different armies who also made use of this motorbikes.
This page includes the following sections:
- Owners maintenance manuals and instruction books
- Army manuals and technical guides
- Help to fill in the missing years
- Further resources and credits
Maintenance manuals and instruction books
These are the standard owners ‘maintenance manuals and instruction books’ produced by teh Matchless and AJS factories and supplied with all new bikes.
Can you help fill in the blanks please?
Army manuals and technical handbooks
These are additional manuals, instruction books and technical handbooks produced by various armies and war offices for the Matchless motorbikes which were in common military service.
| Year | Description / Models | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | G3WO Manual for G3 with British War Office modifications |
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| 1949-56 | G3 Dutch Army manual covering 1949-51 and 1956 models |
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| 1953 | G3L German Army technical handbook (in German) |
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Filling in the missing years
Can you help fill in the blanks please? If you have copies of the Matchless or AJS owners manuals for the years where it currently says ‘Not available’ in the table above, then please get in touch with me using the contact form below. Similarly, if you have a clearer or better quality copy of one of the manuals I already have listed then I would also be grateful if you could please get in touch.
Hopefully with your help we might soon have a complete list of the owners instruction manuals for all years for the Matchless G3 and AJS 16 models.
Further resources and credits
I have collected the various documents listed above from various sources on the internet. These documents are all long out of their copyright period and so are made available for free download and use by all. Please don’t take advantage by trying to flog them to others on other forums and auction sites – that’s not really in the spirit of those who have produced these electronic versions for the benefit of all! Please let others know that these manuals are available here free-of-charge, especially if you come across people trying to charge money for them.
These manuals are of course only a small collection of the vast amount of Matchless and AJS literature and documents which are available online. The biggest and best resource is “The AJS and Matchless Archives” (more commonly referred to as “Christians Archives” after its creator). This website contains a vast amount of material including lots of different manuals, spares lists, promotional material, catalogues, photographs, exploded diagrams, and so much more. Best of all, Christian makes it available to everyone completely free of charge!
Any manuals you can send me to fill in the blanks in the tables above will also be forwarded on to Christian (if that’s ok with you!) for inclusion in his main AJS and Matchless archives.
Hello, Looks to be an excellent idea.
Thank you, but unfortunately I find that I am unable to access the 1959 G3 information which is the one I really need! Message comes up that Adobe Reader cannot open it and that there might be errors……
Tried some others and OK with them. Any ideas please?
Many thanks, Richard
Hi Richard,
Yes, unfortunately I’m aware that there is a problem with a couple of downloads whereby they come up with zero file size. This seems to be because they are quite large files (>10Mb) so I’m trying to compress them more, but this proving a little tricky to do without loosing their readability because of the way the manuals were originally scanned.
I hope to have this resolved soon, but in the meantime if anyone is having difficulties, drop me a message via the ‘contact me’ page (see under ‘Matchless & Me’ in the main menu) with your email address and I will send the document over to you that way instead.
Regards, James
Just as a follow up to this, the website has now been moved to new faster servers and so the file size issue affecting some of the downloads should now be fixed!
Happy reading, James 🙂
Dear Sir,
We are located in Cochin, Kerala, India and my Father owns a 1956 Matchless 350 CC Single and we were planning to carry out a restoration of the vehicle. He has owned the vehicle since 1956 itself and had the owner’s manual too. Unfortunately, we are unable to locate the manual and I was very apprehensive about carrying the job without the same. Your website, particularly the download section has been most useful for me and am very grateful for the information you have posted.
Many Thanks once again and do keep up the great work!!!
Regards
Zubin
I have a 350 48/18 engine number 8823 b I cant fine any thing about this any where . It on the v5 as a matchless 350 but I told a 48/18 is a 500 but is a 350. thank you peter.
Really useful website. many thanks and congratulations by this work. regards
Hello James,
I have electronic copies for the following manuals which are listed as “Not Available” in your downloads table;
Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book for 1950 350 cc and 500 cc AJS Spring Frame and Rigid Models. Edition CM-13
Spares List for 1950 350 cc and 500 cc Single Cylinder AJS Spring Frame and Rigid Models. Edition CL-15
How is the best way to get them to you?
Hi Steve,
I have been searching the internet for a 1950 Manual for my AJS 500cc and came across this comment that you have it in electronic format.
Wondering if I might get a copy of it from you. Would be much appreciated if you could email it to:
my first name @shedtreasures.com (replacing my “my first name” with my actual first name)
Thanks, Mathew
Hi Matthew,
Give me a few days and I will try and get around to uploading the 1950 manual that Steve has kindly sent across to the table of downloads at the top of the page.
A big thanks to Steve for providing these additional manuals to add to the archive 🙂
Regards, James
Thanks James!
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through a few of
the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely happy I came across it and I’ll
be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
hi James, try this website to compress your larger PDF files. It’s very good and free to boot.
https://smallpdf.com/compress-pdf
Hi, I am unable to access G3ls file which i need which will be very helpfull for restoration. Highly appreciate if you can email the manual for me.
Thanking In Advance.
Vincent
Hi James I am trying to get the 1956 G3LS and the G3LCS but they aren’t downloading for me, would you be able to email them to [email protected].
Many thanks!
Alan
Hi,
I am trying to download the 1951 Matchless g80 manual but it doesn’t seem to work. I tried the AJS one for the same year with no issues but unfortunately the magneto configuration for the AJS is different and I specifically need the valve timing info which is different between the two. Is there any way of emailing this info for me.
Chris Berry
61407011278
Hi James, I too am having trouble opening the copies of the manuals. I am seeking some instruction on disassembling the candlestick rear shocks on my 1950 model Matchless G80S. I have a manual for a 1951 G80S but this doesn’t show the candlestick rear struts. Any help would be appreciated . Thank you.
Regards, Rob Konawarra, NSW, Australia.
Hi Rob. Sorry, there does appear to be an issue with the downloads page at the moment. I have emailed you a copy of the 1949 Matchless owner’s manual – hopefully this will help. Regards, James
Hi James
None of the download links are working, it says page not found!
I am after a manual for 1956 G80s if you have one please!
Hi mate,
Im trying to put a 1939 AJS Type 26 350 back together and could really do with your link to the manuals, but its not working.
Any ideas?
I love your articles btw, the Lucas charging one just made my day and explained all, even to a sparky dunce like me..!
Any help with the manuals is appreciated.
Cheers
Jase