Stable

Some AJS & Matchless links

Before being taken over by Matchless, AJS were a successful and innovative manufacturer in their own right. Visit this site for the full story and pictures of many interesting bikes.

and personal sites of members

Christian Gyde maintains a valuable resource of AJS and Matchless information here
and there is an excellent list of sales/wanted/sources

Having run British bikes in the '60's, I remember how hard it was to get parts back then. Now, it is much easier. I used specialists such as

Russell Motors (London) and
the AJS & Matchless Owners Club own brilliant spares service.

Join the club

Besides the owner's club I suggest joining the

British Motor Cyclist's Federation which represents rider's rights whether they ride a 1898 Holden or a 2009 Fireblade. An alternative is the
Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK)

The BMF and MAG work in close co-operation to support riders' rights.

The Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) goes from strength to strength and has sections all over the UK. There are many rallies and other events held and the club is a valuable source of information and sources for parts.

I am also a member of the Scottish Classic Motor Cycle Club (SCRMC) - try and spot their little Saltire badge on the Classics in the IoM and on the Irish road circuits. They appear on a lot more bikes than just those ridden by the Scots boys!

John Cronshaw I am a great fan of road racing although would never have the bottle to do it myself. I am a member of the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club and a life member of the TT Supporters Club

Motorcycle sport in Scotland is governed by the SACU and the Scottish Vintage Vehicle Federation produces a list of all vintage rallies, shows and auto-jumbles in Scotland

1939 Matchless G3WO

Pulled off a scrap heap to salvage the magneto, it was a runner. Originally an army bike, it was sold on to civilian use in 1956 with a reconditioned engine. Tuning has been mild. The engine was already in pre war civilian trim. I removed the compression plate, put in high lift cams and polished the ports. The gear box was replaced with an oil filled one after a hairy seizure. Top whack is not that high but it handles and is fun. It has spasmodically been used on the road. After a lengthy spell of poor health, I am now fit enough to compete again on this bike I have owned for half of its life (- frightening!) - Sa'git racing

1948 Matchless G3LC

G3L LHS1 G3L RHS This also started out as an early WWII army bike. This one was retrieved from a coal bunker. In a much worse state than the original bike, the engine was rusted solid. I fitted a spare engine, later telescopic forks and WD type brake and aimed for something of the style of the late '40's comp. bikes. A petrol tank for a Norton Commando Roadster was exactly the correct shape. The bike has was not "tricked" up for trials the way most of the competitive bikes are and is consequently not fit for the sections designed to stop BSA B40's. Certainly, I am not fit for those sections! G3L

G3L Having had success with the Ajay, I intended to redo the G3LC which was still a bit ratty. However most of the classic trials irons are far more specialised than the heavy, old G3 (and the same goes for the riders compared to me!). I have decided it will come to bits and re-emerge as another racer, still with teles, to enter in the post war class.

1949/1950/1952/1955 AJS 16M

16M RHS Yes, the year is correct! I was given the bones of this one by a neighbour of my uncle, less engine, gearbox, rear wheel and tank but all the tinware was there. I fitted an all alloy competition motor with road cams and a Norton piston. Having run out of CP Burman gearboxes, I used a B52 type of 1952 vintage. As I prefer 16M RHS 2 Amal Monobloc carbs to the Amal Standard, I fitted one of these and they were not introduced until 1955. Hence all the diverse years. I used a solid state regulator and did not worry too much about some details of originality. The fork legs and top yoke should be painted but why hide such beautiful alloy? (Credit: all polishing done by #1 son). The wheel rims are alloy by Akront - well have you tried modern chrome? Paint work, apart from the tank (sprayed and lined by a friend), is all powder coated and most visible nuts and bolts are stainless.

AJS Logo How does it go? Every time I take it out, I come back with a stupid grin and that sign of a happy biker - bugs on the teeth! In 1999 it did the International Jampot Rally, the Strathendrick & Trossachs Rally (is there any with better scenery?) and the Scottish National 25th Anniversary. In 2000, I visited the camping weekend of the Scottish Section of the AJS and Matchless Owners Club and the S & T and the National again. I took to riding rather than trailing to the events just to get in more mileage - well we had 2 dry summers!

Initially I wondered how a 50 year old bike would perform in modern road conditions. Although it is no motorway burner, there have been no problems and I found myself asking the bike to perform nearer to its limits than I expected. The front brake lacked bite, cured by relining with Ferodo's best. The front fork was under-damped. PJ1 make fork oils in a range of grades. I carefully filled up with the requisite amount of SAE15 and the handling steadied up.. I was using an old back tyre dating from at least the early '60's and although this did not give me any moments discretion suggested I fit something a bit more secure and an Avon Roadrunner went on. I particularly like the profile for predictable handling and they wear very well. I have also been messing about with the gearing. The standard 18T engine sprocket was too low but the 20T I tried was then too high. I am happy now with a 19T.

The dynamo decided to sulk and had to come out for repair. Unfortunately the dynamo on these bikes is about the most awkward part to remove, involving splitting the chain case I have struggled so long to seal. It's all called character - well it's character building! Along with the refurbished dynamo, I fitted a new solid state regulator from PODtronics.

I fitted a scrambles inlet cam. The matching exhaust one does not agree with a silencer but the lumpy inlet seems to help mid range punch. The top end does not seem any different but for a 350 it is quite peppy.

6V DC & 12V AC PODtronic regulators	New unit on mounting plate	Shell cut away to clear new unit
Control box in place on the bike	The Alton does not look out of place. There should be a dynamo cover over the top of the engine plates

I have fitted one of the Alton high output alternator organised through the E-group. The bike has proved reliable and I might as well take advantage of 12 V lights. I can even run heated gloves! The Alton which sits in the place of the dynamo came with a PODtronic regulator. This is slightly bigger than the 6V unit I had before and I had to cut away the shell of my old voltage control box. It tucks neatly out of sight. A pair of modern high quality 6V sealed batteries are located in a dummy battery case along with in-line fuses. I also bought one of Paul Goff's Quartz Halogen bulbs.

That's what friends are for! (?) Well, no but it is great when they come your rescue. For along time I have wanted a carrier for the Ajay but although you can get new ones for the swinging arm bikes, the once common rigid carriers are as scarce as rocking horse droppings. The only recourse was to have one made. One friend drew a sketch copying the carrier on his bike, another obtained some steel tube then cut, bent and welded it into a replica carrier. The next welded the legs in place as we fitted it to the bike and finally yet another had it powder coated for me! Neat isn't it? Thanks to all

This summer has been a bit of a disater for the Ajay. Once I had learned to start it again without stressing my new hip, we planned to take it up to Glamis. I trailered to my northern base and just for a warm up we decided on a mid-week ride to the local classic club. Just short of Perth while buzzing along the dual at a fair lick all hell let loose. I though my engine sprocket shock absorber had come adrift again but as Spock would have said "It is worse than that Jim". The sprocket had come off the dynamo and dropped into the primary. Amongst the carnage was 2 brocken chains, s chipped sprockets, the clutch washer belled out and the filler cap gone forever. Good fortune was that the chain case was only bent, the shafts and bearings including my presious Alton seemed sound and all the bits were readily available after a friend who happens to be a time served tool maker made me a woodruff key for the dynamo.
We are on the way back together hopefully getting in a run before the end of the season

2002 Triumph Bonneville Centenial

This is my first new bike for 20 years. Why a Bonnie? Well, like half the population of my age I am a sucker for the '68 Bonnie. The new Triumphs come with a bullet proof reputation. This bike is "sensible". Yes, it is quick, but 2 up it is also comfortable and relaxed. The Triumph dealer from whom I bought the bike came with a good reputation - some good old-fashioned service. Sadly, out of the blue they have gone out of business. It feels like the loss of a friend as they had gained my trust.

These bikes benefit from less restrictive pipes and the sound is pure Meriden Triumph - discrete but quite addictive! I have added a Givi A600 screen ( I don't like sticking up like a sail in the wind and rain (in Scotland?)), Hepco & Becker panniers (by one of the few companies who make racks for the Bonnie), a Scottoiler and a Corbin saddle and lots of detail parts.

After 30 years of banging shoulders and helmets and shouting we have discovered the joys of an intercom. We bought an Autocom - not cheap but very impressive.

There is a full report here

'07 Aprilia Atlantic Sprint

aprilia I decided to swap one super scooter for another and return to the Italian faith. The Atlantic is a much sharper machine than the Burgman. You sit higher on it and it is much quicker - well it should be with twice the capacity and no more weight.Handling and braking are both very sharp. It is fairly stylish for a scooter as well.
It is a one owner bike with 6k on the clock and I bought it from the local dealers Skinners Motorcycles.