The Matchless Model X was a British

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

 motorcycle

Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...

 launched in 1929. There were yearly modifications and in 1937 the Model X was completely redesigned as a fast touring motorcycle. Production ended in 1940, due to the outbreak of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 in 1939.

Development

The Matchless Model X was developed for V-twin

V-twin

A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...

 enthusiasts and had a specially reinforced rear frame for heavy-duty sidecar work. At the end of 1936 the Model X was upgraded and rebranded the Sports Tourist, with a shorter wheelbase frame which improved roadholding and steering. The Motor Cycle

The Motor Cycle (magazine)

The Motor Cycle was one of the first British magazines about motorcycles. Launched in 1903, its blue cover led to it being called "The Blue 'un" to help distinguish it from its rival publication Motor Cycling but the cover eventually became multi-coloured...

 road tested the Model X in May 1937 and noted that the Matchless the steering was light but even when cruising at over 60 mph it did not become so light as to necessitate-use of the damper. Performance of the 990cc engine was described as 'delightful' and although not a sportster it was capable of 80 mph and could reach 70 mph from a standing start in a quarter of a mile.

Brough Superior

In the lead up to World War II Brough Superior

Brough Superior

Brough Superior motorcycles, sidecars, and motor cars were made by George Brough in his Brough Superior works on Haydn Road in Nottingham, England, from 1919 to 1940. They were dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles" by H. D. Teague of The Motor Cycle newspaper. Approximately 3,048 of 19 models...

 began using 990 cc Matchless v-twin side valve engines for their Brough Superior SS80

Brough Superior SS80

The Brough Superior SS80 was a motorcycle designed and built by George Brough in Nottingham UK in 1924. Described by The Motor Cycle as "The Rolls-Royce of Motor Cycles", production ended with the outbreak of World War II in 1939.-Development:...

 and overhead-valve engines for the Brough Superior SS100

Brough Superior SS100

The Brough Superior SS 100 was designed and built by George Brough in Nottingham, England in 1924. Although every bike was designed to meet specific customer requirements—even the handlebars were individually shaped—sixty-nine SS100s were produced in 1925 and at £170 were advertised by Brough as...

.