Just bought a 49 AJS and would like more info??

[cwheelin]

Hello, I am new here and I just picked a nice 1949 AJS 500 single and was just wondering if there are any good sites to learn more about them and my bike.  On the title it says model PK, does anyone know what that stands for?  Thanks again for any input

[33d6]

Hi,
There is a huge Club catering for your bike. The AJS & Matchless Owners Club. Has it's own website, a very good magazine and extensive spare parts service.
There is also a very good chat group for them in Yahoo Groups. Your bike is possibly one of the easiest bikes around to get you familiar with the whole classic bike scene.
These bikes were made forever and parts from various years and models were completely interchangeable so there are many bitzas out there. It is quite possible your bike may really be a Matchless and not 1949. Just because the title says it is 1949 and the engine number starts with 49/ does not necessarily mean that it is.
It is very easy to verify what you have and a bike having parts from other years runs just as well as any other.
Tell us the frame and engine number and we will tell you what you have.
The PK on your title is an oddity. The AJS road single was either a model 16 or an 18.
These bikes are good steady thumpers that will run to the moon and back although like all bikes they do have their own special little ways.
Cheers,

[cwheelin]

Thanks for responding!  It says AJS on the engine, tank, etc and the numbers on the engine are 50 S  16 M, and I believe it is a 1949 according to a book it came with being that it has the rear bike stand, front fender badge, and the sticker that still says teledraulic on it.  I think I need to get a manual as these are much different from the Honda CB750's and CB550's that I had.  It just looks perfect to me.  Is there a good site that is specific to these?  Also, which magazine were you referring to?  Thanks again

[george_the_second]

Hello  the numbers you gave mean that it is a 1950 engine and a 16 M means 350 CC rigid, possibly they used a 350 bottom with a 500 cylinder and head.
Numbers on the frame tell you nothing at all because they used these frames several years and took the first they ran into.
If you have a rigid the only thing you can be sure of that they were made up to 55.
Do you have pictures? regards george
I race a 49 500 ajee rigid in classic races

[cwheelin]

I really appreciate the replies, and someone mentioned about a magazine and website geared to these, what are they?  I posted a pic but it is real dirty and I havent had time to clean it since I got it a few days ago, it only has 685 miles ( bike hasnt been used in at least 20yrs), the previous owner was a serious collector, I bought several bikes off of him and some cars (austin healeys)but this was the only british bike besides a greeves,  Thanks again...

I am trying to put a pic but it is saying it is too large???

[cwheelin]

If I can get email addresses then I can email you some pics, thanks

[Justin_Faithfull]

Try the AJS & Matchless Owners Club, well worth joining, here is a link to their website
http://www.ajs-matchless.com/
Try these links for spares
http://www.andrew-engineering.co.uk/
http://web.mac.com/Armours/Armours/Home.html
http://www.northantsclassicbikes.co.uk/
http://www.russellmotors.co.uk/
This should help you get started. If you join the owners club you will be able to get their club magazine 'Jampot'.

[cwheelin]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.