1954 AJS 18S

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!


A guy at the Norton club meeting had a 1955 Matchless that he's had since 1965. I suspect the AJS is going to look something similar, if I don't make a trials bike out of it first!

Nice project! a real 'Jampot' bike.

Don't know too much about these bikes, but I believe only minor details separated the look of the 18S and G80S.

My '61 G80CS has quite a few differences from the '61 'S' - smaller fuel tank, alloy fenders, QD lights, different seat, different rims and tires (front wheel was 19 or 21" dependent on whether scrambles or trials, I believe the 'S' wheel was 18"), handlebar, footpegs, etc. Magneto is also a competition one, with cable advance/retard. I don't know how different they were back in the mid-50s, but I'm sure you can look at brochures over on Christian's archive.

Looks like you have the SR1 mag which is good.

A word of warning. The front brake anchor on these bikes has a very nasty habit of snapping through the bolt hole where it bolts onto the brake plate. Inspect carefully and dont use if it is worn or chromed !!

I had a 1953 G3LS as my first bike at age 15. They are a nice old machine.

I have a 55 AJS 18s which is pretty much the same bike.
Contact me off list and I hope I can help you with pictures of my bike.

John in Texas

BillT said:

.......I don't know how different they were back in the mid-50s, but I'm sure you can look at brochures over on Christian's archive.

Click to expand...

I recently bought a '56 16MS, but it has an 18MS head and barrel. Main difference seems to be AMC gearbox.

Nice for the local lanes here in France, but the dual seat is rock hard! Shocks seem oversprung too.

I also need detail on setting up the front brake, it is abysmal, looks to me like I need a longer cable to improve brake arm angle?

Can anyone point me at 'Christian's archive'?

Thanks

SteveA said:

Can anyone point me at 'Christian's archive'?

Click to expand...

http://archives.jampot.dk/