Lot 509: 1953 AJS 497cc Model 18

Associated Motor Cycles announced its post-war range of AJS and Matchless ‘heavyweight’ singles in June 1945. Coded Model 18 and G80 respectively, the two 500cc models shared the same 93mm stroke as their 350cc brethren, coupled to an 82.5mm bore. Housed in a rigid frame with Teledraulic front fork, the ruggedly built overhead-valve engine drove via a four-speed gearbox. Hairpin valve springs were adopted for 1949 and a swinging-arm frame introduced, the latter initially for export only but available in the UK from 1950, models so-equipped being suffixed ‘S’. A comprehensive revision of the engine was the major update made to AMC’s singles range for 1958, a switch from dynamo to alternator electrics on the roadsters necessitating the adoption of a cast-alloy primary chaincase. Battery/coil ignition was adopted at the same time, so the distinctive magneto drive cover was deleted and the timing gears contained within a smaller case. In addition, the revised models were distinguished by shorter shock absorbers and chromed wheel centres.
An ‘older restoration’ in apparently good condition, this early swinging-arm framed Model 18 comes with Swansea V5 registration document recording the last change of keeper as in 1995. Currently resident in Germany, having previously been on display in a major motorcycle museum in Austria, the machine has not been used for the past few years and thus will require re-commissioning before returning to the road.