My sons "new" AJS Model 20
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:33 pm
Hello all,
We are brand new to the AJS world. My father in law up in Canada bought a brand new 1956 AJS Model 20 (s/n 562028613) and rode it with his girlfriend (later wife) all over Canada. He eventually sold it to a buddy (to buy his first Harley) and lost track of the buddy...and the bike. About 40 years later, he received a call from his buddy's widow saying he wanted my father-in-law to have his bike back. He was thrilled!
He got it back but it was heavily altered, with high rise bars, an ugly plexi windshield, front mud flap and (really ugly) home made engine guards. But it ran and he was happy to have it.
About two years ago, he passed away and gave it to my son, who is thrilled to have a special part of "Pop" with him. For the past year or so, the bike has been in a shop in Atlanta specializing in British bikes. Just yesterday, we picked up the bike. We wanted it to stay as original as possible, so the shop put original style bars on it, new seat upholstery (material from U.K. using the original pattern), all the crummy aftermarket stuff removed, and some new paint on the petrol tank.
We now have a few questions we would appreciate answers to:
1. The mechanic stated that the chain cases are notorious for leaking so he left it dry, recommending we lube the chain every couple hundred miles. Since I fly airliners for a living, I'm real big on sticking with running engines the way they were designed to run. Looking through this forum and online, I'd much rather run it with oil, just up to the level of the chain, but would like to fit the bike with one of the improved T-section seals that I read about in this forum. I've reached out to John Diederich from the US AJS Club but haven't heard back yet. Is there another source for this? I know some run ATF fluid in the chain case, while others swear by oil. I'll probably run the same 50 weight oil that has been put in the crankcase.
2. The Smith speedo works but we need to figure out the trip meter reset. His speedo has a brass colored shaft that sticks out the back side, with a hole drilled through (see photo). Based on the research I've found here, most owners refer to a cable that comes off the back of the unit. Does anyone know what is supposed to go here?
3. Lastly, the petrol tank on this bike has a pretty sharp crease in it, just forward of the AJS emblem on the left side. Body shop and dent removal people have both said it's not repairable without cutting away the section, re-welding and chroming it....more $ than we care to invest. Are there used tanks available anywhere?
I'm sure we will have more questions. I always try to do our own research in these forums before asking a repeat question so if I've missed the answer somewhere, please forgive me! We are new Jampot members, and we look forward to learning more about this piece of our family history. My son says he'll never let this bike leave the family.
Thanks for your help and advice.
We are brand new to the AJS world. My father in law up in Canada bought a brand new 1956 AJS Model 20 (s/n 562028613) and rode it with his girlfriend (later wife) all over Canada. He eventually sold it to a buddy (to buy his first Harley) and lost track of the buddy...and the bike. About 40 years later, he received a call from his buddy's widow saying he wanted my father-in-law to have his bike back. He was thrilled!
He got it back but it was heavily altered, with high rise bars, an ugly plexi windshield, front mud flap and (really ugly) home made engine guards. But it ran and he was happy to have it.
About two years ago, he passed away and gave it to my son, who is thrilled to have a special part of "Pop" with him. For the past year or so, the bike has been in a shop in Atlanta specializing in British bikes. Just yesterday, we picked up the bike. We wanted it to stay as original as possible, so the shop put original style bars on it, new seat upholstery (material from U.K. using the original pattern), all the crummy aftermarket stuff removed, and some new paint on the petrol tank.
We now have a few questions we would appreciate answers to:
1. The mechanic stated that the chain cases are notorious for leaking so he left it dry, recommending we lube the chain every couple hundred miles. Since I fly airliners for a living, I'm real big on sticking with running engines the way they were designed to run. Looking through this forum and online, I'd much rather run it with oil, just up to the level of the chain, but would like to fit the bike with one of the improved T-section seals that I read about in this forum. I've reached out to John Diederich from the US AJS Club but haven't heard back yet. Is there another source for this? I know some run ATF fluid in the chain case, while others swear by oil. I'll probably run the same 50 weight oil that has been put in the crankcase.
2. The Smith speedo works but we need to figure out the trip meter reset. His speedo has a brass colored shaft that sticks out the back side, with a hole drilled through (see photo). Based on the research I've found here, most owners refer to a cable that comes off the back of the unit. Does anyone know what is supposed to go here?
3. Lastly, the petrol tank on this bike has a pretty sharp crease in it, just forward of the AJS emblem on the left side. Body shop and dent removal people have both said it's not repairable without cutting away the section, re-welding and chroming it....more $ than we care to invest. Are there used tanks available anywhere?
I'm sure we will have more questions. I always try to do our own research in these forums before asking a repeat question so if I've missed the answer somewhere, please forgive me! We are new Jampot members, and we look forward to learning more about this piece of our family history. My son says he'll never let this bike leave the family.
Thanks for your help and advice.