classic motorcycle forum
Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: julieo on February 19, 2020, 09:18:50 AM
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Can anyone help me with any information, even if it's small, about the above an AJS SV 990cc V Twin 1934 M10/2A this is the side-car framed version. I am in trouble with the inter-changeable wheel spindles and tapered bearings? Also who made the Girder front forks. Any information about this bike would be more than helpful.
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If it has the Matchless type,using a dedicated spindle as the inner race,you may be able to get that......If its Timken type bearings,you cant get the obsolete sizes any more......the only answer is to adapt the wheels to take something else,or maybe a similar size taper roller can be reworked to fit.......The forks will likely be Matchless type too,made by AMC.The whole point of buying AJS was to provide a larger market ,and quickly changed AJS to Matchless components.
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Matchless AJS made their own girders, a photo of the bearings and wheel would help, the hollow spindles with inbuilt taper bearings as used in the later singles are being remade, at a cost.
There is a dedicated pre war AMC forum if you can stand the waffle on it.
I don't understand the ...this is the side-car framed version no such thing as I recall.
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There were two types of frames, one for solo use and one for side-car, I was told this by an AMC specialist. Further to this, there are differences between the Matchless and the AJS minor details but very important. It was not a badge swap! Circa 1949 Matchless AJS destroyed all pre-war spares, on the basis that everyone was buying new motorcycles. Funny old world. Here in 2020 96 years later, I have a beautiful example of a V-Twin, which needs some T.L.C. but alas not too much information, or I should say contrary information.
But thank you for your input.
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I was told this by an AMC specialist.
Ok right,yeh.
I have owned,and still do own, pre war Matchless for 55 years, am an ex AMC employee, and I have learn all about 'specialists'
I once had a 'specialist' point to a picture of a certain bike to tell me what was wrong with mine, the picture he was pointing at was of the bike I was standing next to, mine.
Funny enough I just read ina the VMCC journal of a bike exactly the same as yours having a JAP engine,same fool thought Matchless X also used a JAP engine, that was the so called ultimate authority on vintage bikes,VMCC
I never said anything about badge swaps.
Quite a lot of difference between AJS and Matchless twin in the early AMC days.
I suggest you search Christains archives for a spares list or other information, and find someone who will give the answer you want,
beause I am getting fed up trying to assist the unassist-able. Thats the reason I quit the AMC club.
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1934 must have been dark days for AJS. Not much cheer about at that time...
Some years back - on this forum probably - we discussed a hybrid bike that used a c1931-32 AJS sidevalve twin. This was a pretty weird engine with rather long (or long-looking) cylinders. I doubt there are many survivors of that model. I assume your bike has a rather Matchless-like engine introduced in mid 1933? Photos please!
I have no idea about different frames, but out here in Australia we got a "Colonial" version of the AJS twin, with large pull-back handlebars, hand gear change on the left side of the tank, and foot clutch. Inspired by Harley/Indian. It also had 4" tyres front and rear, leaving no doubt it was intended to tug a sidecar. I wonder if this was the model 2A, compared with the "home model" 2?
Unfortunately I don't have the 1933 Show Editions of the Motor Cycle or Motor Cycling with details of 1934 models. For 1935 AJS listed only one big twin - the 35/2. This was the only machine in the range with quickly-detachable and interchangeable wheels. My guess is that the wheels for the big twin were different to the rest of the range, and if the 1934 model also had a 4" front tyre, the front fork might be special too.
Cheers
Leon
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Ten years ago... the "1929 Jackson", a "special" using a 1931 AJS twin engine.
http://classicmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=2960.0
www.vintagebike.co.uk/pictures/jackson-v-twin/
Leon
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Interesting that the 1934 AJS catalogue https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1934-AJS-Motorcycle-Brochure-34-2-12-7-etc-full-range-/282849710020 calls the 34-2 "English Model".
As I commented above, perhaps the 34-2A is the "Colonial Model".
Leon
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As mentioned ,the colonial model was set up like a Harley or Indian,and in addition to above ,had foot boards and twist throttle and advance ,of the Amal spiral type....Im sure by 1934 ,the AJS had the Matchless motor with some differences in exhaust angle in the cylinders......all the AJ s up to WW2 had different cylinders to the corresponding Matchless model....Also ,unlike the US bikes ,the motors had offset rods and side by side big ends ,a rather weak design .This was changed ,maybe in 1935 ,for Brough .
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Weren't the forks for twins an inch different in length ?
Yesterdays has this as a 1934 - and notes
The AJS twin was available as “English Model” with sports handlebars and footrests, or “ Export Model” with long touring handlebars and rubber-covered footboards.
The engine is “square” with bore x stroke of 85.5 x 85.5 mm and lubrication is effected by a dry sump system.
The four speed gearbox is Sturmey Archer made to AJS design. the tank-top instrument panel contains amp gauge, clock, inspection lamp and light switch.
(https://www.yesterdays.nl/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/AJS-1934-34-2-l-1.jpg)
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Might have been, but used to be heavier fork spring, and sometimes links differ.
I suggest the OP gets a copy of Fred Neills 1948 book of the AJS and reads page 28, because I'm blowed if I'll help out anyone who asks for advice and then tells me what some "expert" `says.
It reminds me of the times people would come to my workshop and ask me to 'service' their bike.....usually it would have the bearings shot or the engine hanging out, so I'd tell them it needed more than that and they'd say, ...."but my mate says....." my answer was always sex and travel get your mate to fix it.
Some people with old bikes give me the right hump. This one should go back to his"specialist" who knows all.
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I had a funny experience with an AJS V twin.....owner was a millenial ,and wanted it modified as a semi chopper ....disc brake /girder forks........and took the bike to an inner city bike restorer.....I was asked about the motor ,but the painter had already stripped it,and destroyed both mainshafts....No worries ,replacements from England ...anyway ,I suggested a lot of Harley parts could be used ,shock ,horror......the guy then sent the whole bottom end to Alpha in England ....postage costs topped $1000......then the restorer went broke with dozens of bikes in bits ,the motor is still sitting at the late Ron Russes house ,with a bill for rebore and pistons.....mainshaft came from Morgan Owners ,wrong one ,pre 37 is different from post 37,and AJS were actually a year behind Matchless for the same model....
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Not so much a year behind, as kept that way so as not to compete with the Matchless name, they did it with singles to, for quite a while,also a good way to use up old stock.
I long ago got tired of explaining to the 'experts' that Matchless owned AJS, not the other way round.
As for your ruined v twin, thats one more bike gone for good, and explains my loathing hatred and contempt for the chopper bobber flat track custom morons. Some people should not be allowed near old bikes, you can tell the ones, ponytails, man buns and bits of metal in their face seems to be a factor.
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What, no facial hair, cheap tatts and tartan?
Regarding the "Indomitable Jackson" mentioned above, Shaun Jackson (he's a close friend) has built several bikes since the one pictured, the latest being a cobby bike utilising a pre-war JAP V-twin in the style of a Brooklands competition bike. He doesn't go in for magazine articles etc any more due to the sheer number of arseholes willing to give him the benefit of their superior knowledge of pre-war bikes. ;)
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Ladies & Gentlemen,
Pictures to follow. thank you all for your comments, some very helpful, others not! Further information to date this particular bike was exported to Argentina, where it was ordered through the AJS/ Matchless dealership at the time. I think you John.K has nearly got it right. I am told by the AMC specialist it was to compete against the Harley Davidson and the Indians at the time, especially for the Police forces, with a left-hand handlebar throttle. I will let you think about that for a while as I know the answer! I have resolved the problem with the wheel bearing, I have purchased them off the shelf. My problem now is getting the settings of the front forks, but I will follow the basic instructions from Percival & Webb unless anyone can point me in the right direction with measurements, again everyone's input and help is very much appreciated. I remind everyone that AJS & Matchless throw all their existing stock into the scrap merchants on the assumption that everyone was going to buy new motorcycles, that information is from a senior director at the time. He told me this just a few days ago.
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Picture
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The pics are good,and its a very nice bike.,Julio.
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Ladies & Gentlemen,
Pictures to follow. thank you all for your comments, some very helpful, others not! Further information to date this particular bike was exported to Argentina, where it was ordered through the AJS/ Matchless dealership at the time. I think you John.K has nearly got it right. I am told by the AMC specialist it was to compete against the Harley Davidson and the Indians at the time, especially for the Police forces, with a left-hand handlebar throttle. I will let you think about that for a while as I know the answer! I have resolved the problem with the wheel bearing, I have purchased them off the shelf. My problem now is getting the settings of the front forks, but I will follow the basic instructions from Percival & Webb unless anyone can point me in the right direction with measurements, again everyone's input and help is very much appreciated. I remind everyone that AJS & Matchless throw all their existing stock into the scrap merchants on the assumption that everyone was going to buy new motorcycles, that information is from a senior director at the time. He told me this just a few days ago.
I suggest the OP gets a copy of Fred Neills 1948 book of the AJS and reads page 28,
As the AMC factory closed 50yrs ago this senior director must be about 150yrs old, Denis Poore owner at that time died in 1987, the rest of the AMC board are long dead, who is this Methuselah of the motrocycle industry an why are ypu asking questions on here instead of consulting these 'expert' figures you have access to?
Then maybe they can tell you how it was I was making a living out of selling left over new old AMC spares up until 1984?
The bike I own was proveably ridden by one of the Collier brothers in 1938/9, next time I talk to god I'll ask him to give Charlie Collier a Nudge ::) ::)
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If he was a senior director in 1949 he'd be getting on a bit (as of a few days ago}.
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Yes, the same machines were sent our here to Australia, mainly the AJS rather than Matchless as the AJs with it's single front downtube frame survived our roads much better than the Matchless twin downtube version. It was also usually used as a workhorse with large sidecar attached as were many American machines. The 2A in American or 'Colonial' style as the factory called it competed directly with them. The very last batch made in 1940 went to Argentina. They were AJS in the US style.
There were no AMC Matchless/AJS dealerships here in my home state. The two makes were sold seperately by different dealers as if they were entirely different makes. I suppose it helped them sell more.
Sorry I can't help you with the AJS. As a vintage Matchless owner of many years I've long since learnt to avoid getting entangled in 1930's AJS as Matchless slowly discarded the old AJS factory designs to make them pure Matchless. It's just gets too messy for me. The minor changes from year to year drives me nuts. Better to stick solely to one of them and forget the other. I chose Matchless as that is what I started with.
Best of luck
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The Matchless name was sold off to whoever was making the Rotax engined singles in the 80s .....they discovered Austrian engine styling may have made for efficient cooling,but didnt gel with customers.And is now possibly owned by one of the tossers making mugs and T shirts....None of the Collier brothers had sons ,and the directors of AMC in the late 50s were the sons in law,and Jock West,appointed to replace Charles Collier ....West had the ability peculiar to scots of rubbing everyone the wrong way,and he also hated yanks ,in particular yanks telling him what to do....As Group Sales Director,this caused some problems...As the sixties dawned ,profit turned to loss ,and the banks appointed directors ,displacing family members......Tis said (truthfully) Norton kept AMC afloat.,but all good things come to an end ,and they did when carpetbaggers moved in for the kill.
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The Matchless name was sold to Harris (of Meriden Triumph fame) down in Devon if I recall correctly and they produced the G80.
Not a bad bike by all accounts but a pig to start on the kick-start.
Didn't AMC have a "we don't supply test bikes" policy at one time?
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I just recalled ,the RACQ (auto club) have an AJS V twin outfit in the foyer of their building ,not far from me .....I ve seen it once ,many years ago when the then Triumph agents had it ,but it is a genuine RACQ patrol bike from the 1930s.....Must go and look at it..(Im not a member ,tho....my vehicles dont break down.)
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Didn't AMC have a "we don't supply test bikes" policy at one time?
I believe one of the weeklies published a slightly less than glowing test of one of their bikes and Donald Heather got the hump.
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silly considering the boost they got pre war from the weeklies.
as mentioned above, the AMC management were an odd lot, especialy after the last Collier brother died.
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Julieo seemed to get on with them alright.. ;)
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;D and today order of the large wooden spoon goes too,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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The funny thing was that all the major factories had directors who hated motorbikes....Its said that the last Collier brother ,Charles ,had a fatal heart attack from the stress of finding out that Norton was bust ,and also in a shambles ,being run for the benefit of the racing department.
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Charllie Collier died at work ,at his desk, but I thought that was just before they bought Norton and its worn out machinery
I expect he is the senior director being referred to above.
Because of the factory history of my own bike, I am quite sure one of the last two Collier brothers would have taken it for a rest run at some time, so I like to feel I have a connection. They were both known to pick a bike at random to go home on.
While they may not have had children,not so sure, there are relatives about.
Collier bros were probably the last motorcycle manufacturers to actually ride their product. Which is one reason I have kept my own 1938 bike for 55 years. It went back, inthe 1960s, to the factory to be identified, and when I went to work there a lot of the alloy went through the polishing shop for the traditional 20 players.
I never got to met any dead senior managment though,
What I do wish I'd scrounged was the notice in one of the lifts that had Colliers signatures on it, that would have helped with my vintage Ouija board when seeking advice.
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I have a 1934 2 990 it came as a box of bits 40 years ago and was put away as a basket case as no money at time I started to rebuild it had suffered a major seize so new big ends rebore needed it has foot boards but no foot controls the lay out is as photo gear change right hand side of tank the gearbox has a plate on back think that's for speedo drive (drive missing)so am looking for any help on foot controls speed drive but the biggest piece is engine shock have sprocket but rest destroyed also no exaust pipes any help please
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You need at least to be on the prewar Matchy forum which is free, I'm not sure how you join - PrewarWDAJSM@AJSMatchless.groups.io
Or become a member of the Jampot Forum, which costs a small fee.
I'm sure you know these bikes are worth a few bob these days, and parts are keenly sought after, so it will cost you to obtain all the bits.
Fortunately lots of stuff is being remade these days, so its not like operating in a vacuum....
There was chit chat recently on replica exhausts, so those at least are obtainable in good quality.
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I think the cush drive setup could easily be reconstructed by any engineering shop ,especially to adapt another one .....I would expect a similar year 500 single one to be the same ,or close enough to adapt..........I suppose you realize its a pity you didnt at least accumulate all the parts in the early years of the internet......I found some very good cheap vintage bike stuff online from around 2004 -2015.....More recently ,the cult of rich tossers owning old bikes as status symbols has made anything online ridiculously expensive......and you see all these outrageous efforts of assembled and highly chromed bits ,all from different bikes ,in fashion and poofs magazines.....Oh well ,Ive got mine.