Anyone who loves an old motorcycle will no doubt love one that has been revived from the ashes and put back on the road. This 1930 Matchless T5 which is owned by Jarek Jaromin, is one such motorcycle.
Founded in 1899 by the Collier family in Plumstead, London, Matchless were a true pioneer of the British motorcycle industry. The firm built its first production motorcycle in 1902, and in no time had established a formidable competition record – notably winning the maiden Isle of Man TT in 1907 with the formidable Charlie Collier at the bars. Matchless went on to become a mainstay in the British motorcycle industry, and came out of the other end of the Great War.
The Matchless T5 was introduced in 1930. It was a 498cc side-valve machine, which held its place in the market as a dependable tourer. It had some nice premium add-ons too, such as a chrome-plated petrol tank, Lucas electric lighting, and a handsome instrument panel mounted on the bars that carried the switch, ammeter and speedometer. There was also a quirky feature to keep that noise down – a cable-controlled exhaust suppression system for quiet urban running.
The T5 was a well-built, capable machine, and despite the rise in overhead-valve and overhead-cam technology, side-valvers still remained popular with discerning riders as they were trusted, reliable and simple to work on.
This Matchless T5 was originally purchased new in Italy, where British motorcycles were a popular choice. In fact, the machine still wears the Turin dealer plate on the front mudguard – a rare and charming detail that tells one part of the tale.
The bike had seen steady use until the 1950s, when a magneto failure left it sidelined. The risk of the metal man loomed at this point, however remarkably the T5 was never stripped or scrapped, and remained that way until Jarek Jaromin acquired it in 2024. This is when the laborious process of resurrection commenced!
The aim of the game was to preserve as much of the worn-and-torn bits as possible, however the tired mechanical parts were to be replaced. The motorcycle was disassembled, and the motor and gearbox overhauled (both of which were in a remarkably sound condition for their age). There were some bits that needed a bit more love and attention however, particularly the chrome tank which was subject to a thorough preservation to capture the splendour of the original finish.
In a nice period touch, Jarek fitted a set of Polskie Stomil tyres, originally made for the Polish Junak motorcycle, which happened to fit the rims of the T5.
In just six months, Jarek completed the project, determined not to let the Matchless fall into long-term disuse again. The bike now starts easily and is running well, ready to be enjoyed once more on vintage rides. This 1930 Matchless T5 is a wonderful example of the Collier family’s craftsmanship, and a tribute to Jareks passion and dedication to the world of old bikes.
an article by The Girder Club
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