swooshdave Posted April 29, 2016 Report Share Posted April 29, 2016 (edited) Several years ago I bought this Cagiva but never could get it running right. The previous owner mentioned he wouldn't mind getting it back from me. So at the recent vintage bike show I see he has this AJS so I offer to swap the bikes. He gets the Cagiva and I end up with ANOTHER project. Fortunately for both of us he agrees. This last box is fully of freshly chromed parts. Unfortunately this includes the oil tank, which I think should be black. I haven't had a chance to fully inventory the parts. Then again I barely know what it should look like when it's complete! I went out today and looked at the parts more carefully, here are some more pics: I believe this is the frame number? I'd like to build a trials bike out of it. Probably sell the chrome bits and get an alloy tank and oil tank. Edited May 1, 2016 by swooshdave 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aawil Posted April 29, 2016 Report Share Posted April 29, 2016 if you do build a trialer out of the bits keep and use the lucas sr1 mag probably the best and most reliable mag lucas ever made i now have 5 bikes fitted with themall set to fixed timing ,all start 1st time hot or cold never had even a missfire when soaked in mud and water 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darmst6829 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Hey Swooshdave, I like it! If you get a chance check out Jody Heintzmans 350 AJS for inspiration. Also the VME Vashon Island guys are big on the Matchless/ AJS stuff. I have a G80cs that's giving me fits. Its hard to resist the big bikes from o'l Blighty. Dave Armstrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 (edited) Hi Swooshdave, You certainly found a very large bag of bits! The frame looks like a standard Jampot version, the AJS & Matchless Owners Club (UK) could probably confirm the year of manufacture from the 7125 frame number, but the motor is a 1954 standard road model. There are comprehensive photographs, virtually year by year, of all the AJS and Matchless competition models in the History of the AMC Competition Models featured in the back issues of our digital magazine, ORRe, and if you take out an annual subscription you get instant free access to all the back issues. I am including a couple of images for you, the 1958 AJS and the 1955 Matchless (with the Jampot rear suspension as your bike has) just as an appetiser for you! Enjoy. Edited April 30, 2016 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prototype Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Lovely project delighted to see it . Keep us posted on progresss .. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted May 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Hey Swooshdave, I like it! If you get a chance check out Jody Heintzmans 350 AJS for inspiration. Also the VME Vashon Island guys are big on the Matchless/ AJS stuff. I have a G80cs that's giving me fits. Its hard to resist the big bikes from o'l Blighty. Dave Armstrong I didn't see you at Crooked River, did you not make it down? Is this Jody's bike? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted May 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 if you do build a trialer out of the bits keep and use the lucas sr1 mag probably the best and most reliable mag lucas ever made i now have 5 bikes fitted with themall set to fixed timing ,all start 1st time hot or cold never had even a missfire when soaked in mud and water Have you put electronic ignitions in any of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darmst6829 Posted May 2, 2016 Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 Yep, thats Jody's AJS 350cc. I didn't drive down because my own g80cs has a few Gremlins that need to be sorted. I should have just brought out my Enfield but that's a long way to go and only run one event. 6 hours one way from Redmond WA. Man I am catching **** from the VME member for not going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted May 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 Yep, thats Jody's AJS 350cc. I didn't drive down because my own g80cs has a few Gremlins that need to be sorted. I should have just brought out my Enfield but that's a long way to go and only run one event. 6 hours one way from Redmond WA. Man I am catching **** from the VME member for not going! http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/60122-2016-ahmra-crooked-river-trials/?p=425762 Well, it was beautiful weather and aside from section 8 a fun trials. You need to have a Sherpa T tucked away in a corner for when your English bikes gives you fits. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted May 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 Has anyone else here built an AJS? Any tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darmst6829 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Dave my Enfield heavyweight trials isn't the problem, it my G80cs scrambler for Sundays races that is screwed up. The big bike needs a new carb and the head steady is stripped out and its blowing bubbles at the base gasket. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted May 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Dave my Enfield heavyweight trials isn't the problem, it my G80cs scrambler for Sundays races that is screwed up. The big bike needs a new carb and the head steady is stripped out and its blowing bubbles at the base gasket. Dave Doesn't sound like problems, it sounds like opportunities! Slap a new Concetric on, Timesert the head steady hole and put a breather on it to stop the bubbles. Next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted May 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 I guess running a heavyweight is going to be an exclusive club. All the more reason to go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty ken Posted May 6, 2016 Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 Hi Dave, I started with a similar collection of parts a few years ago, with the same idea of putting together a trials bike. I've limited garage time so its taken a while to put her together, but I managed to get her out in a couple of local trials last year. You shouldn't have any problems getting parts; Steve at AMC Classic Spares has been a great, as has the AJS & Matchless owners club. Mick Ash supplied wide ratio gears, the kick-start is from Terry Weedy, the seat from Sammy Miller Products, and the rear brake drum from Progressive Classic Products, She is still a work in progress, over the winter I swapped out the road frame, oil tank, and engine plates with a kit from Andy Bamford, and there are plans for continued development. There are very few classics never mind heavy-wieghts being ridden in my area, which means she's about 50 years older than the rest of the entry at local club trials (I ride the sportsman route). She does get noticed and generate a fair bit of conversation, but maybe there's added entertainment value in watching the idiot trying to ride it. I'd highly recommend that you go for it. I really enjoy riding a "proper" classic (no comments about the modern shocks, handlebars, and levers please), and have no interest in swapping to a modern bike. If I were to offer a word of caution, be aware that costs can mount up, especially if you want to "modernise" to current pre65 spec with fiddle forks, Whitton hubs, etc, but if you do the build in easy stages you can add the upgrades when time and money allow. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted May 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 That is so awesome! I have no idea what you mean about costs getting out of hand... I'll also be able to add the "idiot on board" entertainment value! Where can I find out more about your bike? What year, model, mag, forks, wheels, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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