1921 AJS Model B

 Brochure for the 1921 AJS 2 3/4hp (350cc) Model B.

AJS Big Port

The 'Big Port' AJS is one of the classic vintage motorcycles. Named Big Port because of the large diameter of its exhaust the 350cc version was hugely successful in competition and was commoner than the 500 back in the day as now.

The 500cc Big Port (official model name G8) was never so succesful on the track and, though sold as a sporting model, was obviously less focussed that the 350. The G8 wore touring mudguards whilst the 350cc 'H6' carried skimpy little numbers.

c1926 AJS 500cc Big Port G8.

Postscript: Thanks to Geert de Boer from Netherlands for pointing out that really it was only the 350 that was commonly called the 'Big Port' back in the day, the 500 wasn't popularly known as such. It also seems that I have got in a muddle over AJS model numbers - G prefix models were from 1926 and H from 1927, the 6 suffix bikes were the 350ohv and 8 suffix 500ohv. The particular bike in the photo above is a H8 from 1927 - 1927 being the first year in which the model was fitted with wired-on tyres.

Many thanks Geert for putting the record straight, when these things are out in the public domain and used as reference it is always nice to get the details fully correct.

AJS Model D v twin combination

1920s AJS are distinctive machines so even from this angle it's not too hard to recognise this as a Model D v twin. A bit harder to know the year but 1927 would be a fair guess. I wonder where the location is? It looks like moorland and the rider is dressed up for cold weather.

1927 AJS Model D v twin with sidecar.

AJS 18CS

This chap is astride a tidy trials model AJS, it looks like a 500cc so would be the 18CS model (18 was the model code for AJS's 500cc model, the 'C' stands for competition and the 'S' for springer - ie rear suspension). The bike is fitted with the infamous AMC 'Jampot' suspension units so dates between 1951 and '57.

The Ajay looks shiny and well looked after. The rear mudguard is modified with a 'skirt' as was popular with the more serious riders - keeps a lot more mud away from your hind quarters.

I wonder where the location is. Kind of looks like a sea wall with folks walking along it and picnickers alongside.

Fifties day out

Just some snaps from an old family album the stories behind which are lost in the mists of time. Shiny featherbed Norton and AJS plus quality riding kit suggest a good level of affluency.

Flat tank Ajay

This smartly dressed gent is astride a mid twenties AJS side-valve. If I had to guess I would say a 1927 model.

1926-ish AJS.

AJS R7 painting

Big thanks to James Kelly for loan of this picture to reproduce on the blog. A junk shop find, nothing is known of the painting bar the signature J. Way and a date 23/7/27.

It's no lost masterpiece but as an evocative period piece it is a peach. If I were to stick my neck out I would say that the location would be Ballaugh Bridge and the rider Jimmy Simpson. Simpson was third placed in the Junior TT in 1927.

1926 AJS 350cc side valve sports model

A brace of snaps of lasses on an AJS. I believe the model is either a H5 or E5 and dates from 1926, being the year AJS moved from stirrup brakes to drums on the front

Rigid AJS surrounded by sheds

A pair of slightly poor quality snaps of an early post war AJS, either a 16M (350cc) or an 18M (500cc) model.

I have no idea what or where the location is, it looks too grim even for a post war holiday camp, could it be army barracks or perhaps a wartime internment camp? In the second photo you can see the front number plate which is obviously not British though where it is from I am not sure.

Mid twenties AJS combo

Several snaps from a long forgotten family album of a mid twenties combo. As far as I can work out it is an AJS from round about 1925 - the shape of the tank with an oiler on the left side, footrests and druid style forks are all fairly good hints as to the marque. As always though I'm happy to be corrected by the more knowledgable. The KA prefix on the numberplate means the bike was first registered in Liverpool between 1925 and 1927 - thanks to Ken Bryant for pointing this out..

AJS side valve flat tanker

Great image of a late twenties AJS side valve flat tanker. baker boy cap, waistcoat, plus fours and clogs - proper riding gear!

Late twenties AJS side valve.

Continental touring by AJS

This is how a gentleman travels. Mid fifties AJS nicely kitted out for touring from a time when a smart pair of trousers, brogues, a cardigan and a gabardine mac were considered the ideal motorcycle adventurer's outfit. How does he manage to stay so clean? Looks like he is enjoying himself. Charming pictures.

Fifties AJS on holiday.

AJS touring in France or perhaps North Africa.

AJS Rudge Ariel

Mid thirties snap of bright young things having fun featuring an AJS, a Rudge and an Ariel.

Thirties AJS, Rudge and Ariel

AJS 16M rigid

Period photo of a rigid AJS looking quite shiny and new. Looks like a model 16M which was produced from 1945 to 49. The 16 models were 350cc, the 18 500cc and the M designated a rigid frame whilst the later MS had a spring frame.

AJS 16M current from 1945 to 1949.

Veteran AJS v-twin and Douglas Ladies Model

At first I had thought that these were another pair of W E Brough photos as they came from the same source and on a quick look that tallies up. However thanks to Nick for getting in touch and pointing out the error of my ways, they are in fact an AJS and Douglas Ladies Model. Shame on me for not looking closer!

Veteran era AJS v-twin with a Ladies Model 2 3/4hp Douglas
for accompaniment. A fine pair of machines for the pre-
Great War enthusiast family.

The AJS Model D v-twin again.

Flat tank AJS combo

You can't see much of the bike but the giveaway is the AJS logo on the sidecar. The house behind must have been built about the same year as the bike was made.

Flat tank AJS combination.

1950 TT Manx Norton and AJS Porcupine

A pair of quality professional pics from the 1950 IOM TT. Les Graham on the AJS Porcupine finished fourth in the Senior and Harold Daniell on the Manx Norton third in the Junior..

Les Graham on an AJS Porcupine at the 1950 TT. Velocette
KTT MkVIII in the background.

Harold Daniell on a Manx Norton. 1950 Junior TT.

VMCC Dorset Winter Run

Sunday morning and it wasn't raining or snowing nor too cold for the time of year. Seemed like a good idea to get out on the Norton for a ride, the last chance before heading back to sea for work and five bike-less weeks. The VMCC Dorset Section Winter Run wasn't far to get to for the start so I headed over to Gillingham along with twenty or so other folks.

I've had a thing for these earles forks MZs for a while. I did own
one for some time but it wasn't on the road and needed a fair bit
of sorting out. At the time I needed the money so I passed
it on. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea but I hope to get
 a decent roadworthy one to experience sometime along the way.

Detail on the MZ ES250/1 Trophy.

AJS 650cc twin. I followed this bike on the run
for a good while. Postwar AJS / Matchless
bikes don't have a reputation as roadburners
but this machine kept up a lively pace in
touring comfort.

BMW R80 ST is fairly ideal for winter roads.

Lovely original AJS 16MS at the lunch stop

Detail on the AJS 16MS. Original Lucas battery case.

Rigid AJS and Matchless

A pair of old photographs of an AJS 16M and a Matchless G3L Competition model. Better quality photos than the usual family album fare and new looking bikes, perhaps they were taken for publication?

AJS 16M.

AJS 16M in the background and a Matchless G3L Competition
to the fore.

AJS 16MS 350cc

Period photo of a fully kitted out AJS, a 16MS if I'm not mistaken. Set up for touring with legshields, saddlebags and enormous screen plus the precaution of RAC membership!

Late fifties AJC 16MS.