These are from "Big John" on the Trialscentral.com forum...

The bike you see here is a former works machine from the Plumstead Matchless factory. It was one of three team bikes used from 1954 to 1957 (Registered sequentially as OLH 721; 722 & 723). It was ridden by the following works supported riders: Fred Hickman (1954); Gordon McLaughlan (1955); Sid Wicken (1956) and Ted Usher (1957). The number 105 relates to the 1957 SSDT ridden that year by Ted Usher who gained a first class award. It was also ridden to team victory in the 1957 Polish Tatra trial by Usher.

The machine was sold to the late father of "Big John" in 1957 and was used by Arnott Moffat (former Secretary of the SACU) in Scottish national trials from 1957 to 1963. The bike was sold and for a few years was used as a course plotting machine by the SSDT committee. The bike was sold back into private hands and re-purchased by Arnott Moffat in 1973. After a long period of inactivity, it was finally restored to its former glory by Jock Wilson (of Comerfords, Thames Ditton fame) in 1993. The photograph shown was taken at the 2003 Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston near Edinburgh where the Matchless G3LC took first prize in the "Competition" category. It is run from time to time during the summer months and has some very special parts on it which were not standard production fittings.

 

 

This machine has been used by "Big John" in the last 9 Pre - 65 Scottish trials and is a 1959 model G3C 350cc Matchless trials . The bike was originally supplied by John Surtees from his dealership in Kent and has retained its original frame, engine, suspension and gearbox. The machine is very standard apart from modern Akront alloy rims, Renthal alloy handlebars and more modern footrests and kick-start assembly.

The bike competed in the 1961 SSDT ridden by Ray Staples from Sidcup. The current owner, "Big John" bought the bike in 1993. The picture here is from the 2000 Pre-65 Scottish Two Day Trial and the section is called Coalasnacoan on the south side of Loch Leven, near Kinlochleven.

These two machines were at a recent Hawks club trial.....