Photo ou archives : M. Woollett
7705
MATCHLESS
500 MAG V-twin - 1914
Hemi-head pioneer
Brothers Charlie and Harry Collier were well-known in pre-WWI days for their racing exploits with JAP-engined Matchless bikes. In the 1910 Isle of Man TT, with the capacity of twin-cylinder machines cut to 680cc, Charlie's Matchless-JAP won at 50 mph.
Change of Engine
Eliminated from the 1911 Tourist Trophy by an Indian sweep, Charlie smashed all the American-held track records at Brooklands later that year. But for the 1913 Tourist Trophy, Matchless (founded by H. H. Collier in 1899) opted for a Swiss MAG engine, probably because the Geneva-based MAG company had just opened a British assembly plant at Willesden, North London.
Technically Advanced
The MAG "2C7-TT" racing engine was the most technically-advanced power unit of its day. Not only did it have overhead-valves when most of its rivals still had side-valves, but they were mounted in a hemispherical cylinder head, the first time this layout had been used on a motorcycle. The single carburetor was mounted between the cylinders, and the gear-driven Bosch magneto was located atop the gearbox. However, the three works racers failed to finish the 1913 Tourist Trophy, and in 1914, Harry Collier, well in the lead on the final lap, fell at Sulby half a lap from the end. Charlie had already retired, but Bert Colver, riding the third machine, finished in fourth place.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 996cc (64x77 mm) air-cooled MAG V-twin four-stroke; detachable hemispherical cylinder heads; Bosch magneto
Power Rating: 10 hp @ 3000 rpm
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: center-sprung girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: cycle-type rim (front); belt pulley (rear)
Wheels: 2.50x26 inch (front & rear)
Weight: 298 lb
Maximum Speed: 70 mph
The works Matchless racers built for the 1914 Tourist Trophy were truly advanced machines, with hemi-head MAG V-twin engines.