Lucas coil and dynamo ignition with distributor was driven by skew gearing from the camshaft-drive vertical shaft.

A dry-sump oil system was supplied from a 6-pint steel tank at the base of the front-down tube, bolted to the engine's crankcase.

[9] Top speed was said to be over 85 mph, though the handling when the elderly machine was tested was described to be a "bit off, by present day standards".

While the front forks were girder-type the rear suspension was triangular with damper and springs under the saddle "same set-up as Vincents".

The main competition for the Matchless Silver Hawk in the top end 4-cylinder British luxury motorcycle market at the time was the Ariel Square Four, which was £5 cheaper, but 100cc smaller (in 1931).