HISTORIC British motorcycle brand Matchless Motorcycles, which was formed in 1899, is set to return to producing bikes with the launch of the Model X Reloaded.
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Matchless, which ceased production in 1966 when the brand was purchased by Norton Villiers, is now owned by the Malenotti family, who resurrected the name in 2012 with the launch of the clothing line ‘Matchless London’, managed by Michele Malenotti.
At the forthcoming 2014 EICMA exhibition Matchless will celebrate its 115th anniversary by presenting the Model X Reloaded, a design inspired by the company’s original Model X produced over 80 years ago.
This new model has been designed by Franco Malenotti along with the Matchless design team. Malenotti has previously collaborated with manufacturers such as Honda, Morini, Ducati, Bimota, KTM and Aprilia, drawing historical models such as the 1000 Laverda Jota, the 1000 Laverda RGS and Morini 500 turbo amongst many others.
He has also designed various accessories and clothing, collaborating with Shoei, Oakley, JT Racing, Millet, Lewis Leather, Dainese and finally Belstaff, where he was creative director from the early ‘90s until 2011.
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Malenotti has based the Model X Reloaded around an S&S X-Wedge V-twin engine with a capacity of 1,916cc. This is being housed in a frame that integrates the oil tank and has a pull system rear suspension matched to a ‘Castle’ type fork with hydraulic shocks.
The bike will roll on spoked wheels created in co-operation with Borrani; the front will be a 16in, and a 17in is being used at the rear.
To cater for rider comfort, the suspended seat can be height adjusted from 740mm to 800mm, the handlebars are adjustable for height and angle, and the foot controls can be set in one of two positions.
www.matchlesslondon.com
