3. Matchless, 592CC Silver Hawk, 1931, United Kingdom

Make: Matchless
Model: Silver Hawk, 592cc
Registration number: Y775
Status: Original license plate; includes an old copy of the registration certificate.
Odometer reading: 0 (Meter replaced)
Engine type: 4-cylinder, 592cc, 4-stroke, OHC
Engine number: B5471
Frame number: 548
Model year: 1931
Country of origin: England

History:
The Silver Hawk was manufactured between 1931 and 1935, with only about 550 units produced. This particular bike has a very interesting history. To quote MC Collection: In the early 1930s, the world was experiencing a severe economic crisis. Despite this, the annual Earls Court Motorcycle Show was held at Olympia in London in 1931, featuring the launch of this four-cylinder motorcycle. Only 550 units were produced from 1931 to 1935. The reason was that it was too expensive (75 pounds) to attract buyers.

In 1931, Jon Johansson traveled to Earls Court with the goal of buying a new Norton, but demand for Nortons was high at the time, and unfortunately, he came away empty-handed. Instead, he set his sights on Matchless’s newly launched Silver Hawk and made the purchase on the spot. However, he had to wait patiently at a nearby hotel for two weeks before he could pick it up. Once he received it, he mounted the license plate from his 1921 Harley-Davidson—which was still sitting in the yard back home—and rode it all the way back to Ullånger in Norrland.

Condition: Condition: Starts and runs, but has been at Mc Collection for a long time so needs a general overhaul, completely renovated by Lasse Olsson 2013-18. Extensive documentation of the renovation is included, below is a simple summary of the renovation:

Materials:
Lucas battery box, lamellar cork, gaskets, clutch rollers, knee rubbers, Lucas ignition coil, gearbox output shaft, Duplex transmission chain, Sverull front wheel bearings, 2 Vintage Bearing rear wheel bearings, Hagon Shocks nipples, 1 pair of toolboxes, 2 crankshaft drives, Vintage Replica headlight parts, new Hunter Eng. rubber components, charging relay/carbon set, newly manufactured cylinder head bolts in 2541, etc.

Work:
Includes a well-documented log of all disassembly, manufacturing, restoration, and adjustment of the engine, transmission, clutch, ignition, wheels, chassis parts, and much more. All hours, dates, suppliers, and partners are also documented.