It is very happy at 40 but above 50 you do start to tire of noise and vibes after a bit.


I've had my 1954 350 Matchless for 19 years which had one previous owner - (the Rhodesian Police Force) and has clocked up around 80,000 miles in my possession, probably more as for periods the odometer hasn't worked. It has failed to get me home only twice- a rear puncture in lashing rain and another when the sparking plug blew out of the head- on both occasions less than 5 miles from home. I'm not a true biker, being interested in neither looks nor speed or thrills or rides to the coast or cafes but have used it to add challenge and satisfaction to many long, mostly foreign, camping adventures from Sweden down to Italy and all in between. I never use autoroutes and plan to cover say 200 to 250 miles a day assuming an average speed of 30mph including all stops. My cruising speed, wherever possible is an indicated 55 to 60mph because, due to the engine balance factor, when I get to around 55 almost all vibration magically disappears and it runs like a turbine.
You'll probably know all this but I'll mention it anyway......
The vibration felt in the h/bars can be shifted away from your preferred cruising speed by adding a lead plug to one end of the h/bars by trial and error. Obviously headstock bearings, tyre fit on the rim and wheel balance must be correct.

If the vibration is felt through the footrests it's important to check that the through-studs securing the engine and g/box to the frame plates are tight. Any looseness will create a lot of vibration and wear the casting holes oval when no matter how tight they are the engine and g/box will vibrate within the frame plates.

Your 500 should have a head steady under the petrol tank between the frame top tube and the rocker box and these should be checked for tightness.

As for noise, and I never wear ear plugs, most of the irritating noise will probably be coming from the valve gear and carb inlet chatter. On my 350 there's an inch and a half gap between the nose of the dual seat and the rear of the petrol tank. I've found that stuffing a rag into that gap quietens it a lot.

TBH my last long trip was just pre-Covid to Portugal using hotels. I'm nearly 80 now and for the past ten years have had to ride with only my left arm and hand usable so I'm being a bit prudent with regard to the risks from potholes, inattentive aggressive drivers and an acceptance that I wouldn't bounce well these days, but I've learned a lot and have some wonderful memories.