1947 AJS 350cc

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honda185
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: North Yorkshire UK

1947 AJS 350cc

Post by honda185 »

I bought a 350CC AJS Trials Bike, datails as follows.

frame number 44743
engine number 5418 S 25006(alloy head and barrel)
reg number ESU 931

I bought it just for the pleasure of riding it but I would like to know what model it is etc and whether or not any manuals are available. Can anyone help.
Thanks
Keith
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silverarrow
Posts: 549
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LEICESTERSHIRE UK

1947 AJS 350cc

Post by silverarrow »

Hi Keith,

The engine no indicates it is from a 1954 AJS 500cc Springframe tourer or in your case the crankcases are from one.

54 - 1954
18 - AJS 500 Single
S - Springframe (Jampots)

To check the frame origins give the details to the dating officer, details in the frornt of the Jampot Mag. In 1947 it would be a rigid frame model.

Les Smith
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honda185
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: North Yorkshire UK

1947 AJS 350cc

Post by honda185 »

Thanks Les.
Does this mean that I have a 350cc engine but with a 500cc crankcase? If so, how is this possible? Are the crankcases able to be used for either?
I thought the S might refer to a 'sports' type engine! Dohhhhhhhhh
The frame is rigid and I will flag it up to the dating officer.
Does my bike have a model number or is it a hybrid mix?
Thanks anyway for your help
regards
keith
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silverarrow
Posts: 549
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LEICESTERSHIRE UK

1947 AJS 350cc

Post by silverarrow »

Keith,

Yes the 350 & 500 cases are the same, in fact i am running 1956 350 cases on my 54 18S 500 due to some inadequate spannering on the oil unions prior to my aquisition. (Anyone got some spare 54 18S cases????)

Your bike should be a model 16M or 16MC if it was a competition machine.

I have got a 46 350 bottom end in the shed if you have a burning desire to achieve an original look.

regards,

Les smith
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Peter Wright
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Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: NEW ZEALAND

1947 AJS 350cc

Post by Peter Wright »

The frame number you quote appears to fit the sequence for 1949 and it will be a standard road model as the competition frames had a 3 or 4 digit number with the suffix C. The club dating officer can easily confirm this.
The 1949 frame and engine plates would readily accept the later engine or crankcases you have, but the pre '49 frames had a different geometry and plates. Also, up to mid '48 the 350's had smaller crankcases and a taller cylinder which, in my view, gave a more balanced appearance.
Correctly, a 1949 engine, whether 350 or 500, would have an iron head.
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