A motorcycle post on my day off

Spanner · 11-25-2016, 11:05 AM

Here are some pics of my 1955 AJS 18S. Joe Stevens was a bicycle make in England when his 4 sons joined him and built their first motorcycle in 1897. The name 'AJS' itself are the initials for one of the sons, Albert John Stevens, but really nothing of fact is known why he was chosen. It is a known fact that he went by the name 'Jack'. By 1902 they were producing their own engines and by 1909 had a line of production motorcycles. They have a long history of high quality and dependability. One of the first motorcycles to use hydraulic, alloy forks, a rear suspension and then full width hubs. All chassis points of movement have grease fittings. This particular model was the first to have automatic advance on the magneto. It was also the first year for the Amal monobloc carburetor.

We imported this one from Holland in 2000. It has always been a Dutch bike. The black NL plate is original to the bike and I have the parchment registration from 1955 matching the bike to the plate. The bike itself should be black. I have been collecting some odds and ends, including a complete decal set and plan on refurbishing the entire bike. It is a great rider and conversation piece. There is a spares club in England that remanufactures many of the parts to original specifications using modern metallurgy so while the cases are rare most of the rest of engine and gear box internals are readily available.

I took these pictures one day at Virmond Park in Mequon Wisconsin on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. It was a nice April day.

rolandtg · 11-25-2016, 11:13 AM

Gorgeous!

sheepherder · 11-25-2016, 11:17 AM

Outstanding! I really like those old thumpers!

Is that a Fairbanks-Morse magneto??? I've owned British motorcycles with Lucas magnetos and have fitted F-M mags to my Triumph T120 and Honda 500-4 (still have the ARD conversion for the Honda) and that mag looks more like an F-M than a Lucas...

Spanner · 11-25-2016, 11:21 AM

Lucas SR1 mag

sheepherder · 11-25-2016, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanner

Lucas SR1 mag

My Nortons had the Lucas K2F & K2FC mags. The F-M looks quite like your mag.

The Lucas mags were awesome. Chain drive, hot spark, easy to service.

You have a great looking cycle. Needs a pudding-bowl helmet...

DavidJayUden · 11-25-2016, 11:41 AM

Very nice. I've had more than my share of MAtchless G-80CS bikes, so I can appreciate your AJS.
dju

Spanner · 11-25-2016, 11:59 AM

Oh yeah, I have a Davida.

MikeP · 11-25-2016, 03:27 PM

Quite an endeavor and a fine job well done.

11-25-2016, 11:17 AM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,208 Thanks: 1,425 Thanked 4,474 Times in 2,343 Posts	Outstanding! I really like those old thumpers! Is that a Fairbanks-Morse magneto??? I've owned British motorcycles with Lucas magnetos and have fitted F-M mags to my Triumph T120 and Honda 500-4 (still have the ARD conversion for the Honda) and that mag looks more like an F-M than a Lucas... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

11-25-2016, 11:13 AM	#2
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 480 Thanks: 394 Thanked 266 Times in 115 Posts	Gorgeous!

11-25-2016, 11:21 AM	#4
Spanner User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 65 Thanks: 29 Thanked 58 Times in 21 Posts	Lucas SR1 mag

11-25-2016, 11:41 AM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Very nice. I've had more than my share of MAtchless G-80CS bikes, so I can appreciate your AJS. dju

11-25-2016, 11:59 AM	#7
Spanner User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 65 Thanks: 29 Thanked 58 Times in 21 Posts	Oh yeah, I have a Davida.

11-25-2016, 03:27 PM	#8
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Quite an endeavor and a fine job well done.