A pair of late 20's bikes to identify?

[VintageBike]

Hi Guys,
another picture of some bikes I've been asked to identify by a visitor to the site.  The one at the back may be an AJS?  But I am stumped by the other one.  Can you help?

http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/YaBBAttach/Mystery-bikes.jpg

Cheers

Nigel
www.vintagebike.co.uk

[33d6]

Yes, the one in front is a TS 350 ohv Matchless from 1928/29/30. I can't identify the exact year because the rider has carefully got his leg in front of the bits of the engine that I need to see to tell the year. I am quite positive 'cos I have one sitting in my workshop. As you say, the rear bike is an AJS.
Cheers, Bob

[VintageBike]

Thanks Bob!  I would never have guessed that.  I've let the owner of the photo know.  I'm sure he will be pleased to hear.

Cheers
Nigel.

[TriSpec]

Nigel,
The UC registration was London and only ran from January to March 1928 so I guess that dates the Matchless. However, I don't think that the picture was taken in London but on a tour of the West Country (note luggage) for the Western National buses served Devon.

Regards, Peter C.

[Sparks]

Hi Nigel,the bike is a 1930 to 1933 Matchless Silver Arrow.They came in 350 and 500cc. Hope this help's you.  Sparks

[L.A.B.]

the bike is a 1930 to 1933 Matchless Silver Arrow.

The engine/exhaust/carburettor layout of a Silver Arrow doesn't appear to match the bike in the photo unfortunately.
http://matchless.dk/TrulyMatchless_files/Gallery/GalleryIndex-filer/Right_engine_close-up_web.jpg

I believe most (if not all?) Silver Arrows were 400cc.

[TriSpec]

Definitely NOT a Silver Arrow (400cc). The rider's leg is not wide enough to conceal the wide block of a twin with cylinders behind one another in the one block, and there is no fore-to-back mounted magneto. Although a twin the Silver Arrow had only a single exhaust system. I know because due to the poor cooling they were prone to seize, as I discovered when the one I borrowed in Australia did just that and I ended up with the bike on top of me. Only the right leg, over the top of the bike, was burnt by the exhaust as there was - fortunately - none on the side which was pinning me to the ground.  

Peter C.