P11 forks

Hello, looking for some forks
Are forks from a 1958 Matchless G3LS the ones used on P11
If not, what is the AMC model that has the correct forks
Thanks Richard

P11 forks were specially made for the model. The closest one gets is a fork set off 1962-68 G80CS.
Steering crown and handlebar lug ("triple tree") isn't found on any other model, unfortunately.
Read the parts list!

- Knut

mdt-son said:

P11 forks were specially made for the model. The closest one gets is a fork set off 1962-68 G80CS.
Steering crown and handlebar lug ("triple tree") isn't found on any other model, unfortunately.
Read the parts list!

- Knut

Click to expand...

Thanks for info
Have you ever come across a more confusing parts list than the P11 one. You would like to think that where a common Norton, AMC, Hydrid part is used it would have the same part number but alas they don’t. Still thanks for advice

It isn't that bad actually. You need to look at the P11 as an AMC derivate, not a Norton derivate. In the forks department there is a 90% commonality of parts with the G80CS.
When AMC gave an item a new part number, it identified a design change. That's not unheard of - it the world of automobiles, it happens all the time.
The challenge here is that changes can be pretty obscure, and sometimes it's not easy to differentiate parts. AMC did not stamp part numbers into them (and neither did NV).
And there was no really well illustrated parts book for the years 1960 on. (Maybe that's asking too much for a bike built in 2700 samples.) That's where User Groups or Clubs comes into play.

- Knut

tribonnie said:

Thanks for info
Have you ever come across a more confusing parts list than the P11 one. You would like to think that where a common Norton, AMC, Hydrid part is used it would have the same part number but alas they don’t. Still thanks for advice

Click to expand...

The fact that the prefix numbers have been changed by the popular current parts vendors doesn't help much. Getting new spares for anything other than the engine in a P11 in the USA in the 70's was for the most part impossible. I also had to use rotary dial phones and phone books to locate parts. I think all the spares were on fully assembled bikes.

I personally always got the impression from British bike dealers in Nothern California the P11 was a huge mistake and they didn't want anything to do with it. Southern CA was probably better because that's were a lot of desert racing was done.

Good luck on the P11 restoration.

Schwany said:

The fact that the prefix numbers have been changed by the popular current parts vendors doesn't help much. Getting new spares for anything other than the engine in a P11 in the USA in the 70's was for the most part impossible. I also had to use rotary dial phones and phone books to locate parts. I think all the spares were on fully assembled bikes.

I personally always got the impression from British bike dealers in Nothern California the P11 was a huge mistake and they didn't want anything to do with it. Southern CA was probably better because that's were a lot of desert racing was done.

Good luck on the P11 restoration.

Click to expand...

Thanks for reply, I have a frame and engine and I have come to the conclusion that chasing all the standard parts is just not worth it. Then there’s the time to find parts and the price of them. Decided to put Atlas forks and wheels on it, at least I will have a decent front brake.

tribonnie said:

Thanks for reply, I have a frame and engine and I have come to the conclusion that chasing all the standard parts is just not worth it. Then there’s the time to find parts and the price of them. Decided to put Atlas forks and wheels on it, at least I will have a decent front brake.

Click to expand...

Don't expect Norton Dominator parts will fit the P11. I suggest you sell off the P11 basket case and settle on a complete bike or one for which sourcing parts will be easier.

- Knut

mdt-son said:

Don't expect Norton Dominator parts will fit the P11. I suggest you sell off the P11 basket case and settle on a complete bike or one for which sourcing parts will be easier.

- Knut

Click to expand...

Hello again …..
Looks quite easy, only issue to sort is the headstock bearings
I think the easiest way is to get a new steering stem made to fit P11 bearing set
Rear wheel look easy

tribonnie said:

Hello again …..
Looks quite easy, only issue to sort is the headstock bearings
I think the easiest way is to get a new steering stem made to fit P11 bearing set
Rear wheel look easy

Click to expand...

Mike Patrick had Atlas forks on the P11 he raced (now in Barber Museum). Perhaps Jerry Kaplan can help with how this was done?

Since you are not doing a restoration, you might consider steering clear of using the stock ball bearings. Pun intended.

If my P11 frame had nothing bolted to it and was essentially naked, I'd look into the modification required to use a modern set of tapered or whatever the hot set up for head bearings is.

I'm still using the ball bearings, but only because I don't want to strip my P11 down to update the bearings. Might be some welding involved and I wouldn't want splatter all over the place.

I have a Betor headset for 35mm stanchions and 35mm Ceriani GP look alike forks. I still have the Betor forks, but the tubes and stanchions need replacement. Betor forks were one of the go to 3rd party forks for P11's back in the 70's. Not for a restoration though.

tribonnie said:

Looks quite easy, only issue to sort is the headstock bearings

Click to expand...

Not so. Obviously you haven't considered rake and trail. If the bike is to be used on the road, I suggest you do your homework before going on a tangent!

Altering headstock bearings is desirable in conjunction with different forks. Not an easy task due to the malleable headstock design (thin walls) and the brazed joints which you don't want to disturb.

- Knut