In late 50s very early 60s a couple of my dad's mates (Bob & Mike) used to come round to our house sometimes. One had a 350 AJS & the other a Matchless. Any time they came round on their bikes they were mobbed by hordes of kids as me and my mates begged rides around and around the 'block'. Fired my lifelong passion for bikes. Thanks guys ~ wherever you are now.
I swapped my goldie for a7R from Monty and WARDS of Edenbridge in Kent and registered it for road use CRAZY YES but good times, ran it on Castrol R Geoff monty and Dudley ward had a store room at the back of the shop crammed full with Manx Nortons G50 Matchless and AJS 7RS this was in 1962 all together at least 40 race bikes WHAT A SIGHT, AHHH THE MEMORYS. yes your history of AJS set me off thanks for the story.
Started with a CSR 14 sapphire 250 in 1963, and finished with a Fireblade in 2022 59 years later. Loved every moment. Thank you for this interesting video.
Started with a Tiger Cub also in the 60's after 14 other bikes finished up with the Honda CBR 600.Golden days indeed,now my back has put a stop to such enjoyments.
@@donaldgoodinson7550 The Tiger Cub had such a lovely crisp bark. A friend had one at the time. I also had 14! (5 British bikes, 8 Honda CBRs ! and 1 Suzuki GSX.) How did we all survive intact? Amazing.
God only knows Chris. I've had many scraps.One I remember the most was when I was racing a guy.Bike at the time was a Yamaha SR 500 single.Anyway a cop car failed to stop at a stop street.Both me and the bike flew over his bonnet.The police were at fault,so they had to pay for the extensive damage to the bike.All I got was a broken wrist. Halcyon days indeed.
My dad owned a Matchless 250 as his graduation from a Lambretta 150L, then he traded in the Matchless for an AJS 650. THat was truly beautiful bike. Eventually he traded that one in for a Triumph 750 Jubilee bike which was his last bike. Alec G3MWI Lane. Deceased, caused by his Triumph.
Fortunately the AJS legacy lived on with Matchless eventually becoming AMC which in my opinion, apart from HRD Vincent and possibly Velocette, were by far the best engineered motorcycles of the period.
Norman Silver owners thiught the A J S stood for Ah Jesus Start .I had 350 and 500 models and the 650 CSR Crank failures were a problem on the CSR as well a wear on the cam followers With.the singles leaking pressed steel.primary chain cases .
I enjoyed the vid and found the history interesting and useful - thanks! But a Vauxhall used to illustrate the concept of a cheap and cheerful car”? Vauxhalls we’re up there with Bentleys in those days.
Great video - very interesting. You didn't mention any of the later offerings - for example the 16 and 18 models. Are these not considered 'true AJS' due to the Matchless influence?
I guess associated motorcycle company made AJS at some point because they were associated with matchless somehow which was associated with Norton I also recall a 1970s 2 stroke dirt bike with a sunburst head I think it was 500cc I was told it was a maico killer if you could keep it running I think it was called AJS scorcher or scorpion something like that it was yellow with black and gold badging decal type
A friend had an ajs 500, it has a problem with the chain oiler. He recently passed. The bike is still sitting in his mother's garage. I should offer her some money for it.
Always said AJS (ay-jay-es) but here its pronounced AGS, maybe a british speciality? 16MS was my first bike, so interested in AJS history. Fun way to tell about early days of the brand, but must say I missed the highlights of the brand, the four cylinders pre and after war and of course the 7R, Porcupine and the demise last 33CSR with the Norton 750 engine. Maybe content for another post here!
Nice....almost purchased one in the 80 s......think they were building them in Andover @ the time....But came to the conclusion @ least if I had a Yamaha I could get the parts..Shame...? You can only stand by the road side so long..
I had a 1953 AJS 350 single - the only bike I never fell off! Just couldn't lie it down. Had a dirty girlfriend who used to like going around the block doing 30mph in third gear!
Didn’t Howard Davies win the 500 senior TT on a 350cc AJS around 1921. Surely one their most significant achievements. There’s a lot missing from this history. Sorry this history is a bit woeful.
Not at all correct. First of all, the horsepower ratings given to these early engines had nothing to do with their actual power output, it was based on a formula derived by the RAC... Although after the amalgamation with Matchless Motorcycles and latterly the AMC group you completely overlooked the trials and scrambling success, not to mention the AJS 7R, the Porkupine, and many other notable models, and the contribution to the War effort.
Takes all sorts ........... I'm a serious motorcycle fan with a garage filled from NC30 to an R1 + half a dozen others - And I was grinning like mad at the quips & inserts Bikes are meant to be fast as ***k fun, not some dour dirge demanding permanent glum seriousness.
I remember the AJS in the 1960s,beautiful bikes.
In late 50s very early 60s a couple of my dad's mates (Bob & Mike) used to come round to our house sometimes.
One had a 350 AJS & the other a Matchless.
Any time they came round on their bikes they were mobbed by hordes of kids as me and my mates begged rides around and around the 'block'.
Fired my lifelong passion for bikes.
Thanks guys ~ wherever you are now.
Growing up in Dublin I was told that A.J.S stood for "Ah.Jaysus.Start!"
I swapped my goldie for a7R from Monty and WARDS of Edenbridge in Kent and registered it for road use CRAZY YES but good times, ran it on Castrol R Geoff monty and Dudley ward had a store room at the back of the shop crammed full with Manx Nortons G50 Matchless and AJS 7RS this was in 1962 all together at least 40 race bikes WHAT A SIGHT, AHHH THE MEMORYS.
yes your history of AJS set me off thanks for the story.
Biker from the 60s the aroma from Castrol R better than Brute......
A wonderful synopsis of a great marque. Thank you. The 7R and G50 really must be worth a follow-up video...
Please!!!
Started with a CSR 14 sapphire 250 in 1963, and finished with a Fireblade in 2022 59 years later. Loved every moment. Thank you for this interesting video.
Started with a Tiger Cub also in the 60's after 14 other bikes finished up with the Honda CBR 600.Golden days indeed,now my back has put a stop to such enjoyments.
@@donaldgoodinson7550 The Tiger Cub had such a lovely crisp bark. A friend had one at the time. I also had 14! (5 British bikes, 8 Honda CBRs ! and 1 Suzuki GSX.) How did we all survive intact? Amazing.
God only knows Chris. I've had many scraps.One I remember the most was when I was racing a guy.Bike at the time was a Yamaha SR 500 single.Anyway a cop car failed to stop at a stop street.Both me and the bike flew over his bonnet.The police were at fault,so they had to pay for the extensive damage to the bike.All I got was a broken wrist. Halcyon days indeed.
My dad owned a Matchless 250 as his graduation from a Lambretta 150L, then he traded in the Matchless for an AJS 650. THat was truly beautiful bike. Eventually he traded that one in for a Triumph 750 Jubilee bike which was his last bike. Alec G3MWI Lane. Deceased, caused by his Triumph.
Most respect doing a history on AJS's. You did however, leave out a huge part of the "G" series cycles which made a huge part of AJS's make-up.
Fortunately the AJS legacy lived on with Matchless eventually becoming AMC which in my opinion, apart from HRD Vincent and possibly Velocette, were by far the best engineered motorcycles of the period.
I had a '60 AJS single. Good power but a difficult bike to start when cold. Great handling too!
Norman Silver owners thiught the A J S stood for Ah Jesus Start .I had 350 and 500 models and the 650 CSR Crank failures were a problem on the CSR as well a wear on the cam followers With.the singles leaking pressed steel.primary chain cases .
Da kommen alte Erinnerungen wieder hoch. Ich hatte 1969 eine "AJS 650 Typ 31 de luxe". Schöner Sound und feines Drehmoment
Great Uncle Freddy.
Love it: hilarious, flippant, but obviously knowledgeable.
Great entertainment video -I owned a few Ajays in the 60s.
Glad you enjoyed it
Loved my 1962 sapphire sports especially for trip to IOM racing. Only neg was flywheel breaking in two and damage caused. Factory sorted it .
I enjoyed the vid and found the history interesting and useful - thanks! But a Vauxhall used to illustrate the concept of a cheap and cheerful car”? Vauxhalls we’re up there with Bentleys in those days.
Thank you
Great video - very interesting. You didn't mention any of the later offerings - for example the 16 and 18 models. Are these not considered 'true AJS' due to the Matchless influence?
Good video could have doe without the *rap clips though maybe added a few more period photographs instead
Curious innit?
I did wince at a couple of the inserts but thought most were really funny & enhanced a very interesting but potentially 'dry' coverage.
Very interesting vid!
I guess associated motorcycle company made AJS at some point because they were associated with matchless somehow which was associated with Norton I also recall a 1970s 2 stroke dirt bike with a sunburst head I think it was 500cc I was told it was a maico killer if you could keep it running I think it was called AJS scorcher or scorpion something like that it was yellow with black and gold badging decal type
Good stuff, informative and a giggle.
A friend had an ajs 500, it has a problem with the chain oiler. He recently passed. The bike is still sitting in his mother's garage. I should offer her some money for it.
It's probably worth saving for posterity.
Always said AJS (ay-jay-es) but here its pronounced AGS, maybe a british speciality? 16MS was my first bike, so interested in AJS history. Fun way to tell about early days of the brand, but must say I missed the highlights of the brand, the four cylinders pre and after war and of course the 7R, Porcupine and the demise last 33CSR with the Norton 750 engine. Maybe content for another post here!
It's quite something that you can still buy a brand new motorcycle with the legend AJS on it's tank! Pity they don't build anything over 125cc,though!
Nice....almost purchased one in the 80 s......think they were building them in Andover @ the time....But came to the conclusion @ least if I had a Yamaha I could get the parts..Shame...? You can only stand by the road side so long..
Well Done!
What no mention of AMC in South London, I thought the AJS and Matchless brands [together with many others] were both manufactured by this company?
Great video. Nice one mate
Thanks 👍
I had a 1953 AJS 350 single - the only bike I never fell off! Just couldn't lie it down. Had a dirty girlfriend who used to like going around the block doing 30mph in third gear!
Excellent.👍👍👌
AJS meaning in dutch " Alle Jesus Snel" marble of engineering.
Wasnt expecting to find the 7R has nothing to do with the original AJS
I still use my 1961 AJS mdl 16 350 all year round' its certainly not a garage queen.
0.37 The engine shown is a two stroke!
AJS - Asal Jalan Sudah.
Didn’t Howard Davies win the 500 senior TT on a 350cc AJS around 1921. Surely one their most significant achievements. There’s a lot missing from this history. Sorry this history is a bit woeful.
Scott Flying Squirrel please
Mas cacofónico imposible!
No mention of the wonderful 7R?
Not at all correct. First of all, the horsepower ratings given to these early engines had nothing to do with their actual power output, it was based on a formula derived by the RAC... Although after the amalgamation with Matchless Motorcycles and latterly the AMC group you completely overlooked the trials and scrambling success, not to mention the AJS 7R, the Porkupine, and many other notable models, and the contribution to the War effort.
AJS refered to by riders of other makes as "All Junk and Spares" 😂
So it's not African then?
Clearly this some kind of joke that i have no hope of understanding.
No it is wouldn't you?
Thursdays for weasels please vicar! 🙄
(We need the coloured power supply)
Made in China. 😬
A tragic travesty of a once greate marque as just told so very well
Put off by the childish commentator
Takes all sorts ........... I'm a serious motorcycle fan with a garage filled from NC30 to an R1 + half a dozen others
- And I was grinning like mad at the quips & inserts
Bikes are meant to be fast as ***k fun, not some dour dirge demanding permanent glum seriousness.
Utter bollox. I am sorry my visit becomes a statistic.
'I'm sorry I'm a statistic'
Said the man who seems to be practicing his pout, preparing for full recognition as a *Diva*