Just a quick note to say what a suberb write up on the AJS. Good job tiger.

I own a 1949-51 Ajs 350. I dont really know which year!!! Its got shocks that look like candlesticks....but a restorer told me that the shocks aren't part of the original config, and that my bike was built rigid!!! Your article was brilliant but I was hoping maybe if you could tell me if all Ajs's built in and after 1949 were fitted with candlesticks? Also what do the jampots look like and what're their specs? Thanx and keep up the exemplary work!!!

Naz, your model was build rigid. As for the jampots, you should probably contact the AJS Matchless Owners Club with your engine and frame number so that they can sort out the origin of your bike. Thanks for your comments.

My BIKE is AJS Model 18S 1952

I owned a 1949 AJS 350 Have often wondered what AJS stood for. Was it ARTHUR JAMES SMITH or SPENCER?

ajs is the best motorcycle,i haved 1957,i feel in heaven if i ride my AJS.
i'm very-very satisfied. Ajs is the best bike i ever had and i love him more than ever!!!!!.

HELP HELP, i am looking at the back wheel of an 1957/58 AJS single, was 350 but the cylinder has been changed to 500cc, lights powered by alternator ignition by mag. Has anyone out there had their wheel bearings "lock up", Its not my bike, but the old boy who owns it needs it sorted. I was a modern jap bike mechanic, so brit stuff is a bit out of my league. Any info on the rear wheel assembly and diagrams etc would be a great help.Rear wheel has speedo drive on it and rear sprocket brake assy is what i would call "quick release" any ideas???

Some of your info is wrong. The early 1950's matchless G-80 had its magneto in front. I think the AJS 500 single did too. Just a different style cover. See your own illustration at the top of this page! Having the mag in front allowed access to the generator in the back. Bikes with magdynos did not, by definition, have magneto and generator in different places.
My 1952 G-80S had 9.5 - 1 piston and racing exhaust cam and was hard to start but could beat a Bonneville off the line (for a couple hundred feet). The G-80CS was even faster. The standard spec models were slugs.

Hi,
I used to own a new AJS 350cc bike in the 1950th. The bike was purchase from Mead & Thompkinsons in Glooucester and it was registered under ODD 898.
Is it possible that you are able to tell me if this bike is still in existence and if so who the owner is.
Your reply would be appreciated. Many thanks.
Nikolaus

Hi

Nikolaus J Benz

That sounds a good old Gloucestershire name Nik :-)

I think you meant Mead and Tompkinson's in London Road Gloucester. Their shop was adjacent to a railway bridge and they also had a teasure trove of old bikes taken in as part exchanges and stored under one of the railway line arches next to the bridge. For a short time around about 1960 they were using a 1930s V twin BSA with a sidecar for deliveries. I wonder what happened to that!

As owner of a charming slug:
The mag moved in front of the cylinder on the G80 for 1952. The earlier G80 did not have a magdyno, but a mag placed directly above the dynamo behind the cylinder. Much fun for the army service departments dealing with the G3L, having to dismatle and retime the mag and its drive each time the dynamo was up for a check.

AJS stood for Albert John (or Jack) Stevens, the oldest of the Steven brothers.

Help I recently purschased a
Matchless 500cc 1957
Engine number 57/16m s 32104

looking for information on bike
Regards Rob

Hello,
Currently own and run a 1947 matchless G80 that appears to be a mixture of parts. I am seeking advice on a problem of the plug fouling at lower speeds. I think the fault may be with the carb which is a monobloc 389/1 rather than the original 276, does anyone have info on the jets, needle position and type, and slide used as it appears too rich at lower revs

Nice read I have my eye on a 1957 trials Ajs 500 twin, out here in Australia, its all been restored but missing the clock any clues on value or where I could pick up the missing bits