The AJS marque was founded in 1909 by four brothers: Harry, George, Albert John, and Joe Stevens. It is named after the initials of the oldest brother, Albert John. The four brothers had previously worked for several years under their father in the family blacksmith/engineering firm, Stevens Screw Works, Ltd. The company produced among other things, a line of engines. Some engines were for industrial use but others were fitted to early motorcycles such as the Clyno and Wolf.
The Stevens engines had a reputation for good reliability. John believed that "racing improves the breed," so the brothers fitted their engines in motorcycles which they entered in trials and speed events. Their racing success was such that finally they decided to build a complete motorcycle. Accomplishments in racing, especially at the prestigious Isle of Man TT, fueled the young company's rapid growth. AJS was a leader in engine design during the 20's and 30's, the technology moving from the OHV hemi-head engine of 1920 through the "big port" to an OHC design of 1927. But then came the Great Depression, which hit motorcycle sales hard, and by 1931 the company was bankrupt. The assets were bought by H. Collier and Sons, who manufactured Matchless motorcycles.
The Colliers "rationalized" AJS production, producing AJS models that were very similar to Matchless machines ("badge engineering," as this practice would later be termed.) Still, they appreciated the value of the AJS name, with its history of racing success, and attempted to retain some sort of individuality for some AJS machines. In 1938, H. Collier and Sons Ltd. were themselves absorbed by Associated Motor Cycles, which would later also acquire Norton, Francis-Barnett, and James.
As a division of AMC, AJS motorcycles came to have some of the most advanced engines of the day, such as the 350-cc OHC 7R, the "Porcupine" twins, and water cooled, supercharged V-4. The company also had tremendous success off-road. Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson dominated the off road racing scene on their AJS works machines from 1947 through 1962.
This history is deliberately brief. My intent is to point out AJS's long association with racing success and advanced motorcycle design. If you wish to know more about the company's history, there are at least a couple of good books on this subject, and many online historical resources. It would take a lot of time that I would rather spend in the workshop re-create it all here, and besides the history of AJS (Stevens/Wolverhampton) and AJS (Colliers/AMC/Plumstead) really doesn't have all that much to do with the AJS Stormer motorcycle.
If interested in the 4-stroke AJS’s, may I suggest the AJS/Matchless Owner’s Club website : http://www.ajs-matchless.com/
The Stevens engines had a reputation for good reliability. John believed that "racing improves the breed," so the brothers fitted their engines in motorcycles which they entered in trials and speed events. Their racing success was such that finally they decided to build a complete motorcycle. Accomplishments in racing, especially at the prestigious Isle of Man TT, fueled the young company's rapid growth. AJS was a leader in engine design during the 20's and 30's, the technology moving from the OHV hemi-head engine of 1920 through the "big port" to an OHC design of 1927. But then came the Great Depression, which hit motorcycle sales hard, and by 1931 the company was bankrupt. The assets were bought by H. Collier and Sons, who manufactured Matchless motorcycles.
The Colliers "rationalized" AJS production, producing AJS models that were very similar to Matchless machines ("badge engineering," as this practice would later be termed.) Still, they appreciated the value of the AJS name, with its history of racing success, and attempted to retain some sort of individuality for some AJS machines. In 1938, H. Collier and Sons Ltd. were themselves absorbed by Associated Motor Cycles, which would later also acquire Norton, Francis-Barnett, and James.
As a division of AMC, AJS motorcycles came to have some of the most advanced engines of the day, such as the 350-cc OHC 7R, the "Porcupine" twins, and water cooled, supercharged V-4. The company also had tremendous success off-road. Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson dominated the off road racing scene on their AJS works machines from 1947 through 1962.
This history is deliberately brief. My intent is to point out AJS's long association with racing success and advanced motorcycle design. If you wish to know more about the company's history, there are at least a couple of good books on this subject, and many online historical resources. It would take a lot of time that I would rather spend in the workshop re-create it all here, and besides the history of AJS (Stevens/Wolverhampton) and AJS (Colliers/AMC/Plumstead) really doesn't have all that much to do with the AJS Stormer motorcycle.
If interested in the 4-stroke AJS’s, may I suggest the AJS/Matchless Owner’s Club website : http://www.ajs-matchless.com/
