1936 250cc overhead valve AJS
Text below picture
Why is this here?
A good question. There are two reasons. Firstly I thought some of you modern bikers might be interested in the sort of thing learners used to ride, and also to prove to doubters that the thing does exist and is not just some figment of my imagination.
It was made in 1936 and sold new for £45 (not cheap then). I bought it for £5 in the mid sixties (the going rate for old bikes). It had been in a garden shed for about about fifteen years, but started after plug and points were cleaned and an oil change.
I passed my test on it in 1965. In those days you were restricted to 250cc until you passed your test, then there was no restriction. I progressed to a 500cc AJS and an 1140cc Royal Enfield (another forgotten British make). Since I stopped riding it, it has sat in half a dozen apple boxes in my shed (the result of an earlier aborted restoration).
In a rush of enthusiasam I started a proper rebuild about two years ago, which has now ground to a halt as you can see.
I thought if I made it the subject of a page on this site, and posted updated photos from time to time, that would be an incentive to get on with it instead of messing around with a computer in a warm house like I am now. So hopefully from time to time the photo(s) on this page will change - it already has a gearbox in place!
Watch this page then (but it won't worry me too much if you don't).
GP