The little 350cc AJS is quite possibly the most important motorcycle created by the Stevens brothers.
In 1914, the prototype 350 was wheeled out of the AJS workshop. It was an advanced machine for the time, with a four-speed gearbox and chain final drive. The test of all tests would be the Isle of Man TT, and that year, the AJS won first, second, fourth and sixth places in the Junior race.
On their return to Wolverhampton the AJS team was cheered by a large crowd at the High Level Station and the factory partied at the headquarters of the Wolverhampton Motor Cycle Club. The achievement earmarked the start of lucrative company and a solid foundation for the bikes for years to come; orders flooded in and AJS were forced to move premises to deal with the demand. The 2¾hp 350cc was the most popular machine, and it continued to be a staple of the line up for many years.
This old bike is a well-loved 1927 350, rich in patina, and with a mix of originality and personality. It has a wonderful and individual bygone story leading to its current ownership and is certainly one-of-a-kind. The following are the owner’s words which tell a personal and brilliant story:
I have had the bike for over 25 years but I have known the bike for all my life. Originally it was owned by my father who “loaned” it to his racing partner Bill Burton (Dad and Bill raced pre-war Aston Martins). Bill lived near Wigan and had an amazing collection of bikes – G45’s, Cammy AJ’s, Grindlay Peerless’, JAP Cottons, HRDs and Vincents – his garage and sheds were packed full, and as a child this was my playground (I just wish the engineering had rubbed off a little more). When Bill died the family needed to sell most of the bikes to cover death duty on the cars and so I got the AJS. Bill’s Obituary in the AMOC magazine mentioned him riding around Silverstone at a meet on an old AJS – which I believe was mine (or I like to think it was).
Bill was a real racer and didn’t care about the bike’s aesthetics – he built the unconventional exhaust for hill climbing which I really like. I recognise that to a purist it isn’t “correct” but when I take it to a few events the “old boys” love the reversed levers – saying “ah we always did that if we didn’t have the right lever” (so I have left it like that). The only real addition I have made is the danger sign. I wasn’t keen on the open primary drive but loved the look and I had the danger sign kicking around and one day I thought it fun to add it. Outside the original owner, Bill’s house, was a big pylon with a danger sign so I thought it fitting – and it is a really good talking point.. (it is easily removable). The bike is no longer surrounded by Astons (I wish) but often accompanies my 1958 Land Rover.
–– written by The Girder Club —
— photos and own words credited to John Charnock —
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