Jampot
Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club Ltd
Issue 715
February
2012
UK £2
where sold
The
Jampot
W h at
C a n
Yo u r
C l u b
D o
Fo r
Yo u ?
A quick guide to main services and contacts
BUYING PARTS
WEBSITE ACCESS
New and (some) secondhand parts are available from the Club’s
Spares Scheme trading as Jampot Spares Limited and based in
the Club’s headquarters at Kettering.
Both members and guests can access the
Club’s website at www.jampot.com
The website is packed with information, technical tips,
photographs and reference material.
A full member will require their membership number to register
on to the website. If you forget your membership number you can
be reminded by contacting the membership secretary at Kettering
HQ (it’s also printed on the magazine carrier sheet). If you forget
your website identity and/or password (after registering) you can
ask for it to be reset by emailing
webmaster@jampot.com
Only members have access to current ‘for sale’ adverts
and certain other features of the site.
An illustrated parts list is
available from Jampot Spares Limited which details in excess of
2000 spare parts and accessories for predominently post-war
AJS & Matchless machines.
A price list is published
periodically, but costs are
always 100% accurate on
the JSL website
To order parts and accessories call Jampot Spares Limited on
+44 (0)1536 511532 between 09:00 and 17:00, Tuesday through
to Friday, Saturday until 16:00, (closed Mondays).
- or Fax your order and credit/debit card details to
+44 (0)1536 511607
- or Write your order with credit/debit
card details or cheque* to:
C a t a l o g u e
Jampot Spares Limited, Unit 3,
Robinson Way,
Telford Way Industrial Estate,
Kettering, NN16 8PT
Parts
AJS & Matchless Owners Club Limited & Jampot Spares Limited
Issue 57
2008/9
Free to members
WEBSITE ADVERTISING
Advertise your machine/parts for sale/wanted
on the Club’s website (self input)
Go to www.jampot.com
TECHNICAL HELP
The Club operates a ‘HELPLINER’ service
to assist members with technical queries.
Call +44 (0)1844 216868 from 09:00 to 21:00
- or email: helpliner@jampot.com
* UK£ cheques drawn on UK banks only
£5 to non-members - refundable on the first order of £50 or more
Get your
parts from
- or Sign onto the Club’s website at
www.jampot.com and click on the
JSL banner in the centre of the
home page
Jampot Spares
Click
You can select parts by part number, or browse the lists filling
your ‘basket’ as you go. Pay by credit or debit card and expect
your delivery in 3 to 5 working days (UK) or slightly longer
if overseas.
PARTS ORDERING TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE
is available after 15:00 Tuesday to Friday
and ALL DAY Saturday.
Call +44 (0)1536 511532
(parts queries ONLY please)
MAGAZINE NON-DELIVERY
Please call or email the membership secretary at the
Club’s HQ to report non-delivery of the Jampot
Call +44 (0)1536 511532
- or email: membership@jampot.com
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING
See terms and costs on page 28
of the Jampot
Call or email the Advertising Manager
(contact details page 3)
email: adverts@jampot.com
2
MEMBERSHIP COSTS
Current membership costs are:
Standard UK Renewal
£26
Standard Overseas Renewal
£30
Standard Digital Renewal*
£22
Extra Family Member**
£2
Spares Discount Scheme***
£10
New Member Joining Fee
£5
* Ezine and/or PDF only - No printed magazine
** Aged 10 or over
*** Allows 10% discount on all parts
You can join or renew by phoning the Club’s HQ at Kettering,
or by emailing membership@jampot.com, or join directly on
the Club’s website at www.jampot.com
A.J.S., MATCHLESS & NORTON
DATING SERVICE (Norton 1963 to 1969)
Dating Certificates for ‘age-related numbers’
£8.50 to Members; £20.00 to non-Members
Certificates of Authenticity
£8.50 to Members; £20.00 to non-Members
Fee in connection with
Reclamation of original
Registration Numbers
£30.00
Queries re indentification of miscellaneous frame and/or engine number
£8.50 to Club Members; £20.00 to non-Members
Machine Dating Officer, Roy Bellett,
Rose Cottage. Frog Lane, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood,
Essex, CM15 0JJ. Ph: 01277 845024 or 07860 824862
Email: dating@jampot.com
UK members please enclose SAE with enquiries.
A clear, close-up photo of frame and engine number
stampings must always be provided.
Cheques made payable to ‘AMOC Dating’
Cover: 1931 AJS S3 496cc SV V-Twin - not in original state (Sammy Miller Museum 2005)
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
Club People
EDITOR
Chris Read, Jems Cottage, Badgall, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8SZ
Ph: 01566 86476 editor@jampot.com
“
Front Seat
HUGE apologies for the delayed delivery of your January Jampot.
Despite the fact that I submitted the magazine on 21st December to
ADVERTISING EDITOR
beat
the
Christmas rush, the printers had an unfortunate software problem
Rob Swift, Burwood, 5 Cutbush Lane, Bitterne, Southampton, SO18
on the system that printed our carrier sheets – which also in this instance
5QR Ph: 01489786884 adverts@jampot.com
printed our membership renewal notices (or didn’t…). Given that January
SECTION NOTES EDITOR
and February are the club’s busiest membership renewal months I was faced
Reg Stubbs, 10 Beehive Way, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8DY
section@jampot.com
with the dilemma of either releasing the magazines without the renewal
notices printed, or waiting. I waited… but as a compromise webmaster
TECHNICAL EDITOR
Andrew Phillips, 33 Eastheath Av., Wokingham, Berks., RG41 2PP
Eamonn and I put our heads together and decided to try a mass email to
Ph: 0118 978 4249 TechEd@jmpot.com
inform members of the delay and to offer an instantaneous download of a
Editor’s absolute deadline is noon, 23rd day of the month low resolution PDF of the January magazine to keep you all going until the
paper copy arrived.
All postal enquiries to Club Officers or editorial personnel should
About 70% of the membership has registered an email address with the
include an SAE or International Reply Coupon if a reply is required.
club, and we sent out over 2,500 email notifications. In the main it seems to
Only material that is clearly marked and accompanied by pre-paid
packaging will be returned.
have been a very successful exercise and one that we might use again in
Printed By: Cambrian Printers Limited
the future if problems occur with the magazine printing or distribution. It does
however rely upon you registering your current email address and keeping it
Website: www.jampot.com
when and if you change your email provider. You can do this by logEnquiries: webmaster@jampot.com updated
ging into the club’s website at www.jampot.com and updating your own
PRESIDENT: Roy Bellett, Rose Cottage. Frog Lane, Kelvedon Hatch, membership record. Please be assured that we will not mass mail you for
Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0JJ. Ph: 01245 423982
any other reason, i.e. we won’t be sending you links to Canadian
president@jampot.com
Pharmacies for pills to improve your, err…well…performance!
A few members commented that they didn’t realise how easy it was to
VICE PRESIDENTS: John Grew, John Drudge, Billy Ham, Ron & Pat
Hughes, Lesley Reeday
read the ‘digital’ Jampot but that the images were a bit ‘grainy’. That’s true of
the ‘Lite’ PDF version of the magazine, but the ‘High Resolution’ version is
CHAIRMAN: Rob Swift, Burwood, 5 Cutbush Lane, Bitterne,
Southampton, SO18 5QR Ph: 01489786884 chairman@jampot.com pin sharp and can be printed at your leisure if you wish for a paper backup.
At the moment about 10% of the membership are ‘digital’, which means that
SECRETARY: Roger Jenner, Grove Cottage, Walterstone,
they only pay £22 for their annual subscription – which makes that one of the
Herefordshire, HR2 0DT, Ph: 01873 890467 secretary@jampot.com
lowest membership rates for any one-make club, and they have access to
TREASURER: Roger Jenner, Grove Cottage, Walterstone,
the ‘High Res’ Jampot as well as the magazine in E-zine format in their own
Herefordshire, HR2 0DT, Ph: 01873 890467 treasurer@jampot.com
personal online library. We also have six-plus years of Jampot back issues in
E-zine format, available at a very small charge – something that very few
MARKETING MANAGER: Situation Vacant - Contact The Chairman
clubs can boast even in this age of digital services, and any member (not
PRO: Roger Limb. Ballacraine, Chapel Road, CommonSide, Old
just ‘digital’) can access this store. It’s definitely worth a look if you’ve got
Leake, Boston, Lincs., PE22 9PP, Ph: 01205 870060
nothing better to do on a rainy Thursday afternoon.
publicrelations@jampot.com
By the time you read this, Jampot Spares Limited will be under new conMACHINE DATING OFFICER: See advert page 2
trol. The previous directors have all now stood down and the new directors,
appointed by the committee, have taken responsibility for moving the parts
PRE-WAR OFFICER: Rob Harknett,
1 Parkfields, Roydon, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5JA Ph: 01279 792329
service upwards and onwards. It’s also possible that by the time you read
prewar@jampot.com
this a decision will have been made by the committee (meeting 5th February)
as to whether they will allow Jampot Spares Limited to continue, but under
EXHIBITION OFFICER: Stuart Smith. 81 Bideford Green, Leighton
Buzzard, Beds., LU7 2TJ. Ph: 01525 374814 exhib@jampot.com
new management, or whether that company is to be dissolved and the
assets (spares, equipment, employees etc.,) are brought back into the club
FUND PROMOTION OFFICER: Tony Smith
itself. Under the latter circumstances the parts business would continue as
Dean Cottage, Sudborough, NN14 3BX Ph: 01832 732200
an ‘operating devision’ of the club and would be under the daily control of a
HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTANT: Alan Jennings
manager, but under the ultimate control of the committee. This would be
21 Haven Rise, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2RS
nothing new. The parts business originally ran under the club’s direct control,
Ph: 01277 653943 safety@jampot.com
then hosted by Northants Classic Bikes under the efficient eye of Ernie
HELPLINER: Dave Gregory, 10 Hunt Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3LG
Merryweather before being transferred lock, stock and barrel to a separate
Ph: 01844 216868 helpliner@jampot.com
operating company (JSL).
The club already runs one very major internal business operating division
called ‘Communications’. It’s responsible for the magazine, shows, advertising, website services, software development and more and operates its own
budgets and accounts. It runs very smoothly (so far) and you the members
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
are probably not even aware that it exists – as long as you get the services
& JAMPOT SPARES Ltd.
that it provides in a timely and efficient manner. So to the critics who say that
Unit 3, Robinson Way,
you can’t run businesses inside the club – yes you can – we’ve been doing it
Telford Way Industrial Estate,
Kettering, Northants, NN16 8PT
very successfully for some time. Regrettably, it’s the business that the club
Tel: 01536 511532
allowed to wander off on its own that eventually caused some concerns – so
Fax: 01536 511607
maybe, in hindsight, that was mistake.
membership@jampot.com
Just as I was closing this issue I received a phone call to tell me that
spares@jampot.com
Portugal has unfortunately had to withdraw its offer to host the 2013
International Rally. I believe the cancellation is due indirectly to the ongoing
“The Jampot” is the official journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club Ltd. It is
published monthly and distributed free to all members of the club. No part may
economic downturn in that country. There’s discussion going on to find a new
be reproduced or published in any form save with the permission of the editor.
venue and one possibility is Northern Germany. I’ll keep you informed as
Views expressed in “The Jampot” are not necessarily those of the editor or the
club committee. The Club does not make any representation as to the accuracy
negotiations proceed and I suggest you keep a careful watch on the Wot’s
or suitability of any of the information contained in third party advertisements
On page before finally booking any holidays.
nor does it accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of
those advertisements and the offerings made by any third parties.
Have agood month,
Chris Read
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
”
3
The
Jampot
February 2012
Contents
FRONT SEAT
The editor’s comment...
...page 3
TC’s WAFFLES
An Antipodean View...
...this page
WRITE LINES
A chance to air your views... ...page 6
THE POACHERS TRIALS CLUB
Errol Gowshall reports
...page 9
RETRO TECHNICAL TOPICS
From August 2001
...page 10
PRE-WAR OFFICER’s MAILBAG
Guarantees!
...page 13
THE SAME DIFFERENCE
Frame Rails
...page 14
A LIGHT COMBINATION
Neil Cairns built one
...page 16
60mph FOR 60 mins
On a 250cc Lightweight...
...page 18
FBHVC REPORT
Questions on ethanol...
...page 21
AROUND THE SECTIONS
A Round Up of Reports
...page 22
WOT’S ON?
Diary of planned events
...page 27
MEMBERS MART
Sales and Services
...page 28
SECTION DIRECTORY
There must be one near you ...page 31
AJS & Matchless
Restoration
Services
Engines rebuilt, single or twin.
Flywheels split to replace big
ends then assembled and
retrued.
Bushes fitted and line reamed.
Gearboxes rebuilt and fitted with
lip seals.
All cycle parts restored
including forks and swinging arm
bushes.
Custom made stainless
fasteners.
Complete or part restorations to
a very high standard.
Any queries, please give
me a ring.
Chris Lucking on
01305 773524
Phone
For more information visit
www.ajs-matchless-restoration.co.uk
4
Waffle on with TC
SIXTH of January and received a letter from
a former treasurer of the club – way back
into the seventies – (Alan Gardner) and nothing significant in that – except – that it was
cleared from the Royal Mail London South
Mail Centre at 6pm on the 8th December.
So, it has taken 29 days to get to A.M.C.
Corner from the south of London, (by “very
efficient” air mail), and it does make you
wonder in just how far ahead the advance of
cyber space has put us.
Meantime here’s to wishing all our readers the very best of health in 2012, (well to
those who read at least two paragraphs of
the Waffle anyhow). The others can please
themselves. Ha! Ha! Sorry, only joking for the
New Year. A small gathering at A.M.C.
Corner on Christmas Eve for drinks and nibbles were rather surprised to observe a list of
prices on all the machines exposed in the
garage? Shock! Horror! Is this really the
A.M.C. Corner that everyone knows where –
for nearly fifty years – there has been a strict
embargo on the selling mode, (apart from a
couple of weak moments), where impossibleto-get standard slipper bearings, and early
wide center bearings for the Twin motor, and
a rare set of 600 Twin pistons (unobtainable
world-wide at the time), temporarily unlocked
the confines of the A.M.C. Corner spare parts
division to get the odd person out of an
impossible situation. However the prime
motivation is to move the dozen or so
assembled A.J.S. and Matchless machines,
after which consideration could be given to
farming out the two dozen rolling chassis
with spasmodic addenda, with the final agenda being to dispose of the plethora of A.M.C.
Spares, (both used and new), as this schedule will be a totally new outcome for A.M.C.
Corner, the upshot may be to tread a little
warily, (slow but sure), and perceive what the
market is all about? Possibly Kettering or
A.M.C. Classic Spares may be interested in
sending a large container to West
Wollongong, and bundle up the collection as
a one off job lot?
We have just struggled through one of
the coldest and wettest Decembers in many
decades, so maybe the seasons are going
through a reverse phase on planet earth.
However the thought of a “white” Christmas
at A.M.C. Corner would still be in the impossible basket, (certainly not in my lifetime anyway)? So, my 2012 (Jampot), calendar
graces the wall in my den for the next twelve
months, with a change of main picture
around every four weeks or so. I expect
many visitors to A.M.C. Corner will have the
photos of the machines plus “extras” pointed
out to them and we may even get some new
subscribers for the 2013 offering if all goes to
plan for its production.
Mention has been heard through the corridors of power, that maybe during the year
2012 there could be an appointment of
another honorary member to join the select
few who have been afforded this distinction
over a long period of years. This person has
been a continuous member since the club
was inaugurated in 1952 and after sixty
years in the association, and having been on
the club committee during many years of that
time, he is well worthy of what possibly is the
club’s highest award. If it comes to pass, let
me be the first to congratulate him on a job
well done.
A mention from the Birmingham Show,
(11-13 Nov), indicated that chairman Rob
submitted his recently rebuilt 1963 model 31
for the display, and apparently the machine is
an immaculate restoration. It was mentioned
in the short note in the Jampot (page 17),
that Rob enlightened the crew on the display
stand as to the correct fitment of the
Siamese exhaust pipes, (specifically the left
hand short pipe). Long have I been a voice
crying in the wilderness about so many
restorations depicting the short pipe fitted
upside down, thus destroying the symmetry
of the set-up. Maybe in the future all restorations will show the Siamese pipes in their
correct context, especially those which are
fortunate enough to be portrayed in any of
the classic motorcycling journals, where flawless photos can provide a basis for a first
time restorer, and he will faithfully follow the
outline in the journal – rightly or wrongly!
The E-mail from Sandy Sanderson (Dec),
detailing the epoxy resin repair to the oil feed
ports of the crankcase stirred the memory of
my collecting days of the single crankcases
prior to 1957 and out of a total of forty plus
sets of crankcases probably seven or eight
had damage either to the threads, (stripped),
or the shoulders – in some cases – broken
right away. I would anticipate that some of
the damage would have emanated from fitting the screwed unions after the motor is fitted into the engine plates, as it them
becomes very difficult to get the unions
inserted in a straight line, especially if the
C.P. gearbox, and a long generator are
already in position. The intricate process of
manipulation of both unions then has to be
very carefully carried out if a further problem
is to be avoided. However, its very handy to
know that Ken De Groome can carry out
repairs in this area if it is damaged, but I
expect the whole motor would require dismantling and that is always a nuisance when
it is unexpected.
Interesting to see that Michael Partridge,
(Canada), has finally collated all the information he has industrially collected over the
years over that much maligned, (during the
early to mid sixties) G15/45 model which was
the 750cc put together in the declining years,
(1962/63), of the A.M.C. conglomerate as a
desperate attempt to shore up the factories
image and postpone its ultimate demise in
the late sixties. The motor was an expanded
version of the already reliable 650 unit to an
overbored 750cc whilst using most of the
650 motor components. It did suffer some
problems, but these were possibly as a consequence of extravagant and rebellious use
of the motor, which was – after all – only a
mid range extension of the existing G12.
Mike will probably tell the story as it really
relates to the real chronicles of this very rare
model, (only 200 of which were ever assembled in the 1962/63 seasons), and I’m sure it
will make a very good read.
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
2012
Calendar
£7 (cash only) at shows & jumbles
£8.95 mailed to UK
£9.95 mailed to Europe
£10.95 mailed to Rest Of The World
Decem
2012
1939 Matchless Model X John Tinley
ber 201
2
Buy online at www.jampot.com
Bulk Orders
for Sections
(sale or return)
Wed 5
Thu 6
Fri 7
Sat 8
Sun 9
Contact:
Roy Bellett
Mon 10
Tue 11
president@jampot.com
Ph: 07860 824862
in
Sat 1
Sun 2
Mon 3
Tue 4
Wed 12
Thu 13
Fri 14
Sat 15
1961 Matc
hless G3C
350cc Mic
k Baldw
www.jampo
t.com
AJS & Matchless Owners Club Limited
Sun 16
Mon 17
Tue 18
Wed 19
Thu 20
Fri 21
Sat 22
Sun 23
Mon 24
Tue 25
Wed 26
Thu 27
Fri 28
Sat 29
Sun 30
Mon 31
430
ONLY 1500 copies
available.
First come - first
served!
www.jampot.com
calendar@jampot.com
The gorgeous girls
Missy Malone (brunette)
Vicky Butterfly (redhead)
Shot on location in Berkshire, UK
A production of Associated Motorcycles Limited
©2012
Associated Motorcycles Limited
Printed by Cambrian Printers Ltd., Llanbadarn Road, Aberystwyth, SY23 3TN
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
5
The
Jampot
WRITELINES
Letters to the Editor
Calendars
JUST a note to say not all the members
have complaints about your excellent work
on the club calendar. Those of us not able
to appreciate an attractive young lady
must be getting to the end of the road.
Please find encloased a calendar for your
shed.
Robert Wallace
Goulburn Engineering PTY Ltd
Goulburn, NSW, Australia
Wonderful calendar Robert. I note that the
girls in your calendar didn’t have to think
about what to wear! CR
DC Generator Error
I WOULD like to thank Tim Ramsey for
picking up the error in the above article. I
would also like to express my appreciation
that he took the trouble to read the article
and to the degree that he did read it. To all
the other readers of the Jampot, my
humble apologies; I hope it will not
happen again.
My only excuse is that for this
simplified article, I extracted and
condensed certain parts of an industrial
article that I had previously written on
compound wound and separately excited
DC machines, and obviously overlooked
and did not change this sentence to suit.
Please put it down to age!
Once again thank you Tim.
Gary Reabow
Via email
RF Supression?
IN the Jan 2012 issue was a retro
technical article about RF suppression. I
have no technical knowledge on this
subject but I have long understood that
fitting suppression devices to magneto
ignition systems was detrimental to them
in some way (internal sparking or some
such?). In fact thinking back it may well
have been the chap who did my most
recent magneto rebuild who reminded me
about this. For that reason, I have always
fitted the rubber – non resistor – plug caps
that you can still freely buy together with
copper cable to my magneto equipped
bikes. Indeed so do most of my cronies.
Can anyone out there confirm if it is just
an old wives tale or is avoiding the use of
non-resistor plug caps and non-resistor
plugs still a sensible precaution with
magnetos.
6
EDITORIAL ARCHIVE
Materials received without adequate return packaging and
& postage may either be discarded or be added to the
AJS&MOC editorial archive. There is absolutely no guarantee that this archive will store and preserve your
material for the future.
I had forgotten it was a legal requirement
though I am not aware that my bikes do
actually generate any significant RF
interference. I am sure my wife would
have mentioned this on the odd occasions
when the bike has been run in the garage
or ridden home in the evenings when the
television is most likely to be on. In
addition, the radio is usually switched on
when working in the garage and I do not
recall any interference on that. Though
this may be due to the differing
frequencies used. I also wonder if the shift
to Digital TV has altered the situation. In
truth bikes that came to me with resistor
plug caps fitted did not seem to give any
trouble but I have never bought or used
resistor plugs. They are considered a bit
suspect with the two stroke engined bikes
I also run, so are avoided though they run
happily with resistor plug caps.
Peter Fielding
Wiltshire
Transverse V-Twin?
IN a 1973 magazine I spotted the
following:“A final fling by AJS while still independent
had been an unusual 598cc
fifty-degree sv, transverse vee-twin, but
Matchless quickly disposed of
this design and its machine tools to a
Japanese concern which employed
the engine in a commercial vehicle into
the 1950s.”
I never knew that! Does anyone have
any further information on this
engine and its use in Asia? An AJS veetwin made in Japan in the 1930s
in such numbers they were still being
produced in the 1950s, surely
someone somewhere must have a story
for Jampot?
Neil Cairns
Via email
The only machine that comes to mind is
the 1931 AJS S3, but that was 496cc and
when Matchless took over the liquidated
AJS in November 1931, they dropped it.
I’ve put a picture of an S3 on the front
cover. Somebody may know more...CR
Spares
AS an Australian member of the club for
nearly two years and a regular user of
Jampot Spares I thought I might pass on
some comments about the Spares
scheme by one remote from your shores.
I was pleased to be able to make use
Online services at www.jampot.com
of the scheme which sees profits (or
losses) passed back to the club. As one
who does his share of voluntary work it
would be a big ask to expect volunteers to
effectively run a business and be
accountable should profitability suffer.
Given the tough economic times for
business (yes even in relatively well off
Australia) many resourcefull hard headed
business people are failing to keep their
heads above water. The Burden of
operating or being responsible for a
business should not fall to volunteers,
especially those with other responsibilities
within the club. Is It possible to employ the
services of people to run the spares
scheme for the club or would this
effectively mean outsourcing it to another
company? From my point of view I would
hope it could operate profitably as a
business without relying on volunteers and
provide an efficient service to members
(and others). The scheme has to be viable
and profitable and not rely either on the
good will of volunteers to operate or the
tolerance of members to put up with an
inefficient service. I would encourage the
club to maintain the scheme but be
prepared to make the changes needed to
improve it’s efficiency.
Jim Clark
Bundanoon NSW
Australia
Up until now Jampot Spares Limited has
operated as a wholly owned subsiduary
company of the Club. Only recently has
the Club become the sole shareholder,
mainly in an effort to exercise control over
JSL which was previously vested only in
past directors. The profits from JSL have
always gone back into JSL - not the club,
to be used to develop new lines. JSL has
employed personnel to run the business,
and still does. The only volunteers now
are the three new directors recently
appointed by the shareholder (i.e the
Club). Structural and organisational
changes are afoot and will be reported as
they happen. CR
Spares (2)
I, ALONG with other members have
insufficient information about the affairs of
JSL to make an informed assessment
how, where or by whom the business
should best be operated.
It’s disconcerting that neither the
accountants nor directors are apparently
able to report the reason for the £35k
profit shortfall vs ‘last’ year. My experience
suggests that it’s likely due to a sales
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
WRITELINES Continued...
shortfall, stock/overhead cost increase, or
previously overvalued stock, or all of
these. Hopefully, other AMC parts
distributors are not so afflicted.
Without knowledge of what the £35k
reduction represents as a percentage vs
‘last’ year’s profit it has little relative
meaning, except that it would fund quite a
few 650 crankshafts.
It’s my perception that JSL currently
operates as neither a purely commercial
business nor as a club members’ ‘perk’. It
needs to have a clear vision of whether it
wants to be either one or the other. On
balance, but in ignorance of the figures,
my sentiment is that it should be a
commercially run ‘department’ of the
national club. Similarly Klattering Classic
Motorcycles: I have no doubt that sellers
and buyers feel confident to deal with
them due to their official connection with
the club, rather than just another privately
run old bike business.
That said, I appreciate the salaried,
voluntary, and ad hoc contributions made
by relatively few Head Office and section
members, without which the club wouldn’t
function at all.
Neville Bolding
Via email
Late Jampot
WHAT a good idea to email us with the
information regarding the late Jampot.
What a bad idea not to test the link to
download the electronic version, it does
not work. I was keen to read the about the
current status of Jampot Spares Ltd as I
have a bike that has been sold by them
and so far I have not been paid. Two
weeks ago I was at Kettering and was told
I could be paid but then could not be as
the cheque book had gone off to the
auditors. Can we have some re-assurance
that any money received for bikes left at
the club for sale goes into a separate
account until the transaction is complete?
Can we also have some re-assurance the
JSL will survive? This is an important
service and vital to the survival of the club.
without JSL this club and our hobby will
slip into decline and eventually disappear.
Bryan Lingard
Via email
Sorry the link didn’t work for you Brian.
We did our best to mitigate the effects of a
printing problem and this was the first time
we’d attempted to bulk email 70% of the
membership (i.e. over 2,500 members).
There is a diversity of mail agents out
there. Outlook worked perfectly with the
first link given, and all others seemed to
work with the second link provided. As far
as we know the link from the website
worked on every occasion.
On the question of your bike sale through
KCM; I understand it was sold on
December 23rd last year. With Christmas
and the New year closures, and waiting
for the purchaser’s cheque clearance, you
were issued a cheque on 12th January
which I sincerely hope that you’ve
received by now. I have no idea
whatsoever regarding the excuse you
were given - but clearly the cheque book
was there on the 12th. It’s possible that the
new manager(s) might consider a ‘client’
account for the future, thus separating
KCM sales revenues from all other funds a widespread practice with reputable
dealers. CR
Spares - The Early Days
IN the 60s spares were not a problem. I
was able to go to the factory and buy
spares at factory price, which was better
than wholesale. I used to take a list with
me with all the part numbers written down.
I also knew Freddie Neill and his side-kick
Jack Colver. I once bought a new tank for
my twin for 10/- second hand (50p new
money), and the right colour.
In the early days the Spares Officer
was a committee post - usually second
hand spares. No proper records were kept
as most spares were given away. I know
that at one time the Yorkshire Branch had
more spares than the main club and at
one time the spares officer lived in the
Midlands, in a place called Slag Lane.
News reached me that he had left the
club, so I got in touch with the local
branch and told them to go and get our
spares back. When they went to see him
he said “show me what’s yours and you
can have them”. A lesson quickly learned.
I can’t remember when Fred Ham of
East Berks was club chairman. He got in
touch with me and told me that a Dutch
man had bought all the twin drawings and
some new parts from Jack Tassell at
Seven Oaks. Fred and I went to see what
was available and after reporting to the
committee we decided to spend £2/0s/0d
on what I thought we could sell quite
easily - mostly twin spares. Jack Tassell
had the job of clearing the factory when it
closed. A contract was drawn up with him
and my copy is somewhere in the club
archives.
Quite a lot of spares were unfinished
and someone took on the job of getting
them finished. I’m not sure what happened
after that as I think Ernie Merryweather
came onto the scene.
I do remember that Jack Tassell had
us over a barrel. He knew that we were
desparate for some things and made us
buy a lot of factory gauges, all steel, with
no indication of what they were for.
On the subject of Bill Bruty; When I
joined the club way back in the 50s I think
Bill was chairman and after a time I joined
the committee. Bill used to call on me
quite often as I lived quite near to him. I
became his right-hand man. Bill always
looked quite old. We were at an AGM and
someone voted for the ‘old man with
glasses’ and the title stuck. He was in his
forties - a bit younger than me. He was a
‘one lung’ rider - 500cc with Steib sidecar.
One Christmas he rang me and asked if I
wasn’t using my outfit could he borrow it
as he needed to go somewhere and had a
problem with his bike. He duly arrived to
borrow my outfit and I said that he had
better take it for a little run round before
going too far. When he came back he said
my outfit was frightening - the power that
he had in his right hand was unbelievable!
My bike was a 650cc AJS and the engine
had been tweaked a bit.
John Drudge
88 Next birthday...May 2012
Parts Too Expensive?
IN December issue in Front Seat was
given very positive response to the
question “Who’s spares scheme is it
anyway?” Certainly it is “ours”, but my
feeling is that something must be changed
as far as P&P in Jampot Spares, I have
two experiences.
Ordering circa 27 copies of the
calendars for 2010, I was charged for
second amount circa 20 copies much
more to the price given in the Jampot, it
came out after receiving the copies with
the higher bill. Telephone call to Jampot
Spares explained me that the first packet
with circa 8 copies was in weight limit and
cost the price but the order of 20 copies
was heavier and that’s why was more
expensive. My question was why you
didn’t send it in two separate envelopes?
It could cost the price in the adverts. What
I can now say to friends ordering copies
about paying more, they could think that I
make a business out of them?
Now in last December I ordered parts
twice. The first order was for total £
244.21 and weight was 2.16kg, charged
for post £ 66.00 gross. Total weight of the
parts 1.95 kg Tarra. Packaging was from
two and half “MOTORCYCLE MONTHLY”
newspapers 0.45kg which are originally for
free, I have paid for them dearly.
The second order was for £110.44 and
weight was 1.16 kg in Jiffy envelope,
charge for post £12.40. Total eight of the
parts was 1.05 kg Tarra.
With my first order I ask not to be
charged too much, but no body was
listening to me - they made parcel in too
big box and with not needed old
newspapers weighting 0.45 kg along,
making me to pay for unnecessary weight
circa £40.00. Two parcels be sent like the
second order, could make circa 2, x
£12.50 = £25.00.
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
7
The
Jampot
WRITELINES Continued...
My feeling is that staff of Jampot
Spares is not acting on our side, paying
attention only to selling the parts, but what
I or another member will pay for post, it
doesn’t bother at all.
If Jampot Spares is “OURS” than may
be some attention should be paid to the
value of our money we pay.
With just little bit more good will, more
money could be spend on the parts than
on the post.
The sad thing is that there was no
response from Jampot Spares after my
email to them.
Am I motivated to encourage other
friends into AJS or Matchless motorcycles
up here? My suggestion is, if someone
order parts, should get confirmation with
P&P price as do British Only in Austria.
Chris Rotta
Poland
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had those
problems Chris. Firstly, on the matter of
the 2010 calendars, JSL should
categorically NOT have charged you more
than the published price. I’ve spoken to
Roy Bellett (calendar distribution) on this
matter and with your approval we’ll make
up your loss with your next calendar order
(be that 2012 or 2013) - be sure to order
directly from Roy. As for the spares P&P
charges, they may be a little excessive
and there’s no excuse for not responding
to your email. By the time you read this
there will have been some significant
changes made to the business model for
the Club’s parts service and I’ve made the
new managers aware of your situation.
Hopefully, there will be improvements in
the very near future. CR
machines were a little too much of a
challenge on such long runs packed with
luggage and partners. The answer was to
use a modern Triumph or the likes.
Sunday runs also got faster untill
eventualy few riding the old bikes took
part. The time has come to re-launch the
section, moving its meeting place further
from the Herts/Essex border. A few years
ago I did investigate a Stevenage venue
where we would be most welcome. That
was at a pub re-named The Vincent. Yes
after the Stevenage built machine. The
VOC were meeting there, a meeting room
available, at the time decorated with
Vincent memorabilia, which the landlord
said would hopefully soon include a
Vincent motor cycle. I am not sure if this
venue is still available. So I am asking if
there are any members in the
Hertfordshire area interested in reforming
the section. This need not be to the
suggested Stevenage venue. Hatfield,
Welwyn, London Colney, St Albans
perhaps? It would be good to hear from
all members interested in becoming
Hertfordshire section members, to give an
idea where you are. In particular members
willing to act as a section organser/ rep.
Rob Harknett
(Contact details in section listings)
The
WRONG
Way Down
Start
Calling Hertfordshire
MANY will not be aware, The
Hertfordshire Branch, as it was then
known as, was probably the 1st section
formed. I believe Kent or somewhere near
was the second. Someone will correct me
on that. I also believe the Hertfordshire
branch organised the club’s first annual
rally at Berkhampsted Castle. Later to be
known as the Jampot rally. Over the past
few years The Hertfordshire and East
London & Essex sections have each
drifted to within approx 5 miles of the
county borders. Myself being right on the
county borders occasionly visited the
Herts Section. Eventualy I was asked to
help with the running of the section, when
it moved closer to me, from Knebworth to
Hertford Heath. The section became quite
busy and well attended. Runs developed
to weekend runs far afield, France and
Spain visited yearly. Many members
decided that the AJS & Matchless
8
Finish
TWO 1952 500 twins
The President & The Chairman
Leave JoG 7 May
Braemar to Penrith 8 May
Penrith to Hereford 9 May
Hereford to Barstaple 10 May
Barnstaple to LE 11 May
TWO charities:
Brain Tumour Research
Southampton Sight
See www.jampot.com FORUM for full details
Online services at www.jampot.com
Chairman’s Chat...
A RELATIVELY quite month, which I guess
has to be expected over the Xmas and New
year holiday period (I trust you all had a
good one?). During the break, the previously
mentioned JSL stock-take took place and
whilst the initial count seemed to be good,
the final figures turned out to be
disappointing with the stock figures hovering
between £260 - £264k. This is down from the
£282k the accountants had shown in the
second draft books, and well down from the
£302k shown in the first draft.
Now let me be quite clear, there is no
suggestion of any underhand dealings going
on within JSL, but it does highlight the
troubles within the company and the need for
change in the operation with immediate
effect. The two original directors have now
resigned leaving the three new ones to
redirect the company (an initial report from
Stuart Smith is printed separately in the
mag).
With the late posting of last month’s
Jampot the response to my previous “Chat”
has understandably been limited. However
the replies that have come in have been both
interesting and reassuring at the same time.
The “In or Out” question that I posed seems
to have been mistakenly taken to mean “sell
off” JSL or keep it trading. I’ll reassure you
all by stating that there is no intention of
selling off JSL as a private venture. Many are
also under the impression that the committee
previously controlled JSL and the that the
directors merely carried out the committee’s
bidding. Not the case. In fact the committee
have had little or no input into or from JSL
for the last few years, and because of this
barriers built up.
The “In or Out” question really meant
continue to run JSL with new directors
reporting back, or bring the parts scheme
back into the club, dissolving the Jampot
Spares Limited and setting things up pretty
much the way the original “Spares Scheme”
used to run ie; employ a full time manager
and let the committee set up a business
division with three dedicated committee
members overseeing the running and
reporting back.
I must add that bringing the parts
scheme in is by no means a done deal and
will only be possible if the correct insurance
cover can be obtained and the appropriate
savings made to justify the move. So even if
the majority favour such a move, no
guarantees are being made.
By the time you receive this edition the
Ace Cafe meeting to launch the “Wrong way
Down” run will have come and gone and the
start date on the 7th May draws scarily and
rapidly closer. Unfortunately we’re not in a
position to invite any other members actually
join in for the entire duration of the run due
to a lack of suitable accommodation en
route. However I’d like to once again ask you
to join us for a brief stint, showing local
attractions whenever the route passes close
(more details of this next month). The North
West section have already made contact and
I thank them kindly for their support, (see
you soon lads). Rob Swift
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
The Poachers Trials Club
John Hattersley (top) & Kevin Coxon
Report by Errol Gowshall
T
he Poacher’s Trials Club was
started in 1988, with six
novice riders riding around a field
in Scamblesby, with a lot of
falling off and laughter at each
other. We hope we have managed to maintain the same
relaxed atomosphere to this day.
The next year we ran five trials with more riders joining the
fun. We soon started holding a
trial once a month, becoming one
of the major Trials Clubs in the
country.
In the mid nineties, a few of
us started riding with Yorkshire
Classic Club, improving our skills
on rocks, until we were invited to
run a round of the Sammy Miller
Road Series, which we ran until
1998.
In 1999, through the
Poacher’s Club, Mark Francis
and myself started the Northern
British Bike Championship, which
we still run today with the help of
Mike Gallagher and other Club
members.
Today, it is the most popular
Road Trial Series in the country,
catering just for British bikes. Up
to 120 riders compete in each of
the seven rounds of the Series.
The Club itself is running
around sixteen trials each year,
with the highlight being the
Charity Trial, just after Christmas.
To date, we have just topped
raising £20,000 for the
Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire
Air Ambulance!
On our annual camping weekend this year, on 16th and 17th
June, we are hoping to run a Trial
to celebrate the National Clubs
60th anniversary. All club riders
on British bikes will be welcome
to join us for this two day event –
trials being run both days. There
will be a social evening on
Saturday night, with fish and
chips on the menu for all riders
and officials. Camping, the two
trials and food for £25. Trophies
will be presented for the best AJS
& Matchless rigid and pre-unit
bikes.
Further information from Errol on
01507 343745 or from the
Poacher’s website on
www.poacherspre65trials.co.uk
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
9
The
Jampot
o
retr
TECHNICAL TOPICS
Tips and advice from Jampot August 2001
Removing “Chewed-up”
Chaincase Screws
socket cap screws, (may not be “original” but is a better job in the long-term).
Good Luck, Knut. TEd.
MEMBER Knut Nordby has struck a problem, familiar to many of
us at some time, of slotted screws on which the shoulders of the
slots are not as strong as the bond of the screwthread in its tapping. Result - slots that aren’t and screws that a screwdriver will
no longer drive.
In my experience, there is no “quick fix” to this problem and
the solution requires time, patience and great care. Look for at
least a half-day slot in your diary!
One method is to drill the screw and use stud-extractors (so
called “Easy-outs”) but on small screws I have never found them
very successful. If I used a small extractor it would be in danger
of breaking, whilst a larger one tends to “spread” the thin wall of
the screw remaining after drilling and simply tighten it still further.
Once the screw slots are no longer usable, the priority is to
remove the outer chaincase and retain as much of the screw/s
shank as possible to provide something to grip once the case is
out of the way. This means drilling only the head off the screw
and it is most important to maintain concentricity. A pilot hole
(probably 2mm diameter) must be drilled centrally in the screw to
the depth of the head. This is not easy with a hand-held drill
whilst kneeling on the floor and, if one is fortunate and has a
lathe (or a friend with one) a bush of the diameter of the screwhead recess, bored to
the diameter of the pilot
drill, can be very useful;
(a second pair of hands
to hold the guide-bush
straight and steady can
also be useful).
Once the pilot-hole is
drilled it can be followed
with another drill of a
diameter slightly larger
than the screw diameter,
until the head comes
away from the shank.
Once this has been
done (three times in
Knut’s case) the outer
case can be removed and what remains of the seized screws
exposed.
It is now possible to remove the inner case to make the job
more accessible, but then the problem of holding it arises. Unless
a colleague is available, it may be worth constructing a jig to hold
the assembly in the vice.
At this point one should try applying penetrating oil (or paraffin) and a little torque on the screw with a good pair of grips, without damaging the screw. Very often, this is the time when the
application of some heat is successful. I use a hot air gun (as for
paint stripping) but a gentle gas blowlamp is almost as good, but
rather concentrated, NOT oxy-acetylene. The surrounding metal
can be heated quite safely to about 200C (but not too locally)
before trying once more to turn the screw.
If this method fails, then it is back to the drill, starting once
more with a pilot and increasing the size until the root of the
thread is reached (concentricity is very important here if the original tapping is not to be damaged). With luck, the thread of the
screw should be able to be picked out with a sharp scriber and
the tapping cleaned up with a tap.
If you are unlucky and the drill wanders into the thread, it
might make it easier to extract the remnants, but the tapping may
have to be reclaimed by drilling out larger and inserting a threaded bush to take the new screw, or by “helicoiling”.
Once the job is done, my advice is to reassemble with “copper-slip” or a “moly” compound to prevent future seizure, and
Ignition Timing By Degrees
10
A FREQUENT question relates to the setting and checking of
ignition timing and whether the quoted figure in degrees is more
or less accurate than the vertical displacement of the piston
BTDC.
Being something of a traditionalist, I was disapproving of any
procedure that was less than precise and sticking a rod in the
plug hole and measuring it with a rule has always seemed just
that! However, I remember that when I first started riding, with a
1935 model, which was the only method prescribed by the handbook.
A couple of minutes with a calculator served to indicate that
for anything but the most fastidious “tuner” working on all but the
very shortest stroke engines, with care, the rod in the plughole
can be as accurate, and certainly much quicker, than the timing
disk. For instance, quite apart from leaving the primary drive
intact, it isn’t even necessary to find TDC, so long as you know
you are preceding it on the compression stroke when you take
the measurement.
For example:- Taking an engine of 74mm bore and 81mm
stroke with ignition at 39degrees BTDC represents a displacement of 9.03mm before TDC.
I am sure any one of us can identify and estimate a measurement between two points on a metal rod to an accuracy of less
than 0.5mm (20 thou) which, in this particular case, would represent a variation of only slightly more than 1 degree. The marks
on my timing disk are at 1.4 mm apart so I consider the relative
accuracy of the two methods to be on a par, given that setting the
disk to TDC can be difficult and a variation of 0.025 mm at the
contact breaker points could easily present a greater inaccuracy
(depending upon the ramp of the C-B cam) and also affect the
“dwell” angle.
Before I am taken to task over the fact that the rod used as
an indicator will not be parallel to the bore and in an engine with
a long reach plug at a large angle from the cylinder axis could
provide a measurement that is very far from a vertical displacement. Graham Jackson, in Jampot 575 (June 2000) provided a
design for an indicator that assists in achieving consistency in
checking, especially after the indicator position has been established for the correct setting.
However, having recently been faced with resetting the ignition timing on a partially dismantled engine I was presented with
the opportunity for (a) setting the timing accurately, by the angle
of displacement, and (b) making an indicator that would enable
me to check it and/or reset it in the future, with the same degree
of accuracy.
To save work screw-cutting a bush to fit the spark-plug tapping, I decided to utilise an old plug body. Dismantling a plug is
not as easy as is sometimes described (and not as easy as doing
it by accident when the spanner slips and you haven’t a replacement). I found that cutting around the swaged portion of the plug
shell with a hacksaw and breaking off the top exposes the compound that provides the gas seal between the insulator and the
body. This is relatively soft and can be picked out with a point
such as a slim scriber, after which, the remains of the plug insulator can be knocked out of the shell.
A plunger can then be made as in the diagram so that when it
is inserted in the plug shell, the top is flush with the top face of
the shell. This makes it easier to detect when the plunger moves.
The required length can be determined with any piece of rod and
is not critical provided it is long enough for the “advance” setting
of the particular engine.
Feeling for movement in the plunger both before and (turning
backwards) after TDC will allow the timing disc to be fixed with a
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
o
retr
TECHNICAL TOPICS
pointer indicating TDC Movement in the plunger should be
detectable with a finger-tip but a DTI can be used if you wish. A
New JSL Directors
We are aware of concerns regarding the retirement of
Jim Gunn and the appointment of new directors to JSL.
The club spares scheme is of high importance to many
members and it is intended to develop and improve it.
Alan and Stuart have both had extensive experience in
the Motor Industry working for major manufacturers and
have sound knowledge of engineering, manufacture,
development and marketing of parts and accessories.
Both have served overseas assignments for their
respective employers.
Alan Jennings
Tool & jig - design and manufacture.
Process and Feasibility Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Cost Estimating
Stuart Smith
Parts & Accessories Engineering
Product Development & Marketing Manager
Aftersales Manager
Since retirement, has worked as a consultant for a company specialising in supplying training for motor dealer
part managers.
A business plan to stabilise the business and further
develop the services to club members has been
approved and is being implemented.
A comprehensive stock count was carried out during the
recent Christmas closure and recruitment for a new
manager to replace Jim Gunn is under way.
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
strip of springy sheet metal with a point and scribed with a
centreline then bent to jam between the cylinder fins will
be an adequate indicator against the timing disk. Setting
the crankshaft to the required angle BTDC at full advance
and adjusting the points to just opening is standard procedure. Once the ignition timing is set, the length of the indicator plunger can be reduced to exactly the length for that
setting and will provide a quick check in future. For those
with automatic advance devices, the plunger can be
marked (or another one made) to give the retarded setting
to simplify checking without having to wedge the ATD at
advance.
One other point on this topic; I endorse Roger Ashby’s
tip in J-P 515 when he recommended setting the ignition
on the Exhaust cam pinion rather than the magneto
sprocket, but this requires care to eliminate the
backlash/slack in the timing chain; a weight attached to a
lever or string fixed to the mag sprocket will achieve this if
you are working single-handed (aren’t we always when you could
do with a third hand?). TEd.
Vacancy
Operations Manager – Jampot Spares
Jampot Spares – the replacement parts operation of AJS
& Matchless Owners Club has a vacancy for a Manager
responsible for the day to day operations of the spares
scheme and associated classic bike sales.
The scheme currently operates Tuesday through
Saturday for mail, telephone, online orders and walk-in
customers.
Applicants must be numerate, have knowledge of stock
control procedures and good telephone and customer
service skills. A knowledge of, or interest in classic motorcycles together with previous parts management experience would be
advantageous.
Duties will include:Stock Management
Purchasing
Stock control
Order processing
Picking
Packing
Despatch
Invoicing
Resolving customer issues
Maintaining records for accounts
Payment of accounts and expense as required
Responsibility for the presentation of the showroom &
sales area
Classic bike sales and associated documentation
To register interest and request a full job specification,
please contact either :Alan Jennings – safety@jampot.com or
Stuart Smith – exhib@jampot.com
See page 3 for full contact details.
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
11
The
Jampot
ENGLAND
Diamond Jubilee International Jampot Rally
25th to 28th May 2012
Welcome to Kent, the Garden of England. The rally will take place at The Friars, a
beautiful setting at Aylesford near Maidstone in the heart of Kent.
If you wish to find out where it is put ME20 7BX into Google or your SatNav.
All the rooms at the Friars have now been taken, however there is a Premier Inn two
miles from the site at ME14 3AS. Phone 08715 278704
Thank you to those who have already pre-booked. If you
intend to come please pre-book as it will assist us to
provide sufficient facilities such as showers, toilets, etc.
If you wish to have a rally polo shirt please pre-order
one on your booking form. You can collect it and pay for
it when you arrive. We will not be bringing any that are
not pre-ordered.
We have been busy practicing the runs planned for you.
More details in a future Jampot. Regards, Ian Fraser
Limited edition Rally
Polo Shirt
commemorating the
Diamond Jubilee
of the Club.
Visit the website:
www.ajs-matchless.com/international
£12.75
Tell us the size on
your booking form.
For more information send an SAE for a booking form to:
Ian Fraser (Rally Secretary)
3 Downs Hill, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 5HA
Jampot Kelso
On-Line Booking is now live!
Find it at www.jampot2012.co.uk or the link on the Club Site.
D
o come early and extend your stay in order to explore this beautiful part of Scotland, so easily reached, yet full of scenic routes
and sights for you to enjoy. The quiet roads of the Borders offer a variety of attractions to see and do. The Rally site, function
rooms, toilets and shower blocks will be open from the Wednesday afternoon to the following Tuesday morning. You will now be
able to enjoy a longer stay with no need to rush your visit if you don’t have to.
The full Rally programme starts on Friday and finishes on the Monday morning, including on-site catering and bar facilities and
scenic runs and entertainments. The location is very rural, with the rivers Teviot & Tweed bordering the site and with woodland
to the back, but is only a short walk from the Hotels, Shops & Restaurants of Kelso.
Not on-line? To get a booking form send a SAE to
Rod Towers, 92 Main St, Kirkliston, West Lothian, EH29 9AD
24th-27th August 2012
To enable us to offer the best possible Rally experience, pre-registering
is recommended and you will find the information on this at
www.jampot2012.co.uk .
See you at Kelso!
12
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
Pre-War I never knew that…
Officer’s
Rob Harknett
MAILBAG
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
A RECENTLY purchased a lot of 1925 memorabilia containing some interesting items. I discovered a guarantee certificate - not very much information on it but what is there is interesting. It gives the machine number, frame, engine and gearbox numbers, which were identical
on AJS of Wolverhampton machines. As you can see, the certificate gives the purchaser’s
address, is dated and also numbered. Are there any more such certificates out there I wonder? They may contain some unknown AJS machine numbers. Being dated, it would be possible to discover how many machines were sold between the dates of two certificates. If you
have a certificate perhaps you could send me a scan at This particular machine was sold to a
customer in South Africa and here’s a photograph of it looking quite clean and new. Like all
new machines, it was supplied with a manual, the very book supplied with this machine
shown. N.B. See important note on the Guarantee, it does not cover OHV engines!
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
13
The
Jampot
The Same Difference
Frame Rails
by Kees Majoor
“Evolution , not revolution” was the unwritten motto at the AMC factory. That is why many parts differ slightly in shape and
size over the years. So, they were different, yet their use was the same, hence the title of this series; “The Same Difference”
The articles in this series are the result of lengthy research but in this case, what’s written is not gospel, so please let me
know if I didn’t get something right.
The bottom rails of spring frames
IN this instalment we look at a part that when fitted to the bike
doesn’t immediately leap into view; the bottom rail of spring
frame models from 1949 up to and including 1959. No glamour or
lug is increased to 3/8”. As the stud that connects these two
frame parts also passes through the crankcase, then the hole in
the cases was also increased to suit from 1954, as can be seen
in the third photo. In this photo we see on the left a timing side
crankcase from a 1949 model and on the right a driveside
crankcase from a 1959
example. This whole
story of large and
small holes applies
equally to the twin
cylinder machines.
Good that we know
then. What can we
make of this? It probably proves two things.
Either you use only
parts of the same year
types that fit together,
or you mix ‘n match
and drill holes to take
the larger stud.
Once again you have
‘The Same Difference’.
chrome, but technically tasty.
The lowest frame rail in the photo above was used from 1949 up
to and including 1954. The middle rail was used only for 1955
and the one at the top was used from 1956 to 1959. After that
came the twin down tube frame that no longer had removable
bottom sections. The ‘C’ models continued with the older type
frames, but we’ll leave those out for now.
It appears there is not much to say about the frame parts in the
photo, except that the oldest type is longer than the others as it
extends rearwards to provide a mounting point for the passenger
footrests. With the other two that is not the case; there the passenger footrests are mounted on the rear frame section. Oh and
yes, they are very dirty, because for the photos they were borrowed from the used stock of the Dutch clubs Spares scheme.
So why are these frame parts included in The Same Difference?
That can be seen in the other two photos. In 1954 the stud that
secures the bottom rails to the front frame grew in size from 5/16”
x 26tpi to 3/8” x 26tpi. At AMC they found the 5/16” stud apparently too thin, and the simple increase in size deals with that and
gives us yet more differences.
To start with, there were two versions of the bottom frame rail
used from 1949 up to/incl. 1954; from 1949 to 1953 with a small
hole (5/16”) at the front end of the rail and in 1954 a larger hole
(3/8”) at the front end. The other two bottom rails both have a
3/8” hole at the front. The difference can be clearly seen, in the
second photo showing the two frame rail ends and their matching
studs. It means of course the same for the front frames; from
1954 the stud hole in the bottom of the front down tube mounting
14
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
Technical - belt drive
Gavin
S er c o m b e’s
Matchless
Norton
B el t
Drive
had done well to survive this long. I couldn’t find
an OE replacement for the alternator so bought
one of the new, higher output encapsulated
stators.
Because of my belt conversion, which has a front
pulley much wider than the original sprocket, the
new alternator wouldn’t fit. I had to file away most
of the encapsulating material from the engine
side of the stator to clear the pulley.
Now seemed like the ideal opportunity to replace
my (temporary) washer packs with a proper
spacer to complete the conversion. I thought
about my choice of material, which would have to
be easily workable in the DIY workshop (i.e. with
hand tools) and not be prohibitively expensive. I
dismissed steel, aluminium, titanium (you wish!) ,
rubber and acrylic on one or both grounds.
Whilst in my local independent timber supplier I
spotted an off-cut of MDF, which was kindly
donated free of charge in response to me
successfully, though grovellingly, pleading the
case for classic motorcycle preservation. Using a
chaincase gasket as a template, I managed to
produce the MDF spacer in a little under two
days and having painted the ‘visible’ edge with
black enamel paint the job was done.
Now I’ll just have to cure the gearbox leak and I’ll
be looking for a way to preserve the chrome on
the rear wheel from corrosion!
Thanks to The Editor and club members who
gave me helpful advice and Bob Newby for
putting up with my persistent, pernickety
questioning.
Editor’s Note: From 1963 onwards the Norton ES2 and
the Matchless G80 were identical ‘badge engineered’
machines using AMC duplex braised lug frames,
Norton Roadholder forks and Norton 8 inch brake hubs.
I
decided to convert my 1965 Norton ES2 Mk2
to belt primary drive some time ago, having
been unsuccessful in stopping the release of oil
from the primary chaincase, despite scrupulous
assembly and several breather improvements.
My choice of product was the kit marketed by
Bob Newby of which I’d heard several glowing
reports. The installation of the kit was achieved
with just a little aggravation and some precision
was required to set the position of the alternator
stator assembly with respect to the rotor. I
ended up moving the chaincase outer section
outboard by 8mm to achieve the correct
alternator alignment.
Being anxious to prove my newly-improved
motorcycle, I jury-rigged the outer chaincase
with appropriately sized packs of washers. The
gap I temporarily (well it was meant to be
temporary!) sealed with a cut down rubber
wheel rim tape to exclude road dirt.
My new tranmission worked faultlessly but after
about 2,500 miles the alternator went belly-up.
Too much handling of a fragile museum piece
during the modification I think. Mr Lucas’s best
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
15
The
Jampot
A Light Combination
B
ack in 1953 when the AJS 18S I have was built, to see
motorcycles with sidecars was so common, no one took any
notice of them. Cars were expensive and attaching a sidecar to a
500, gearing it down a bit meant the family man could transport
the wife and kids about. Statistics for then show that of all the
vehicle on the UK roads, 50% were motorcycles. Of that number,
50% of motorcycles of 500cc or over had sidecars attached. We
know this because the sidecar attracted extra road tax (Ved).
Today only 2% of vehicles on our roads are motorcycles, and no
one knows how many have sidecars because they have not
attracted road tax since 1966. Because we are all so much
wealthier, the need for such basic transport has virtually faded
away.
From being common road furniture, the motorcycle combination has become a rarity. So rare are they now one takes
one’s life in ones hands by parking a ‘Combo in any town centre.
Upon returning your P&J will be surrounded by ‘experts’ and
inquisitive children. Grandparents will be relaying stories to their
grand children of trips to the seaside in their father’s sidecar; stories now well over 55 years old. The social and economic effect
on our society of the humble sidecar is now being lost in the
mists of history.
But, there are a few enthusiasts who continue the use of
such typically British transport. The term ‘sidecar’ has never been
fully defined in law, so even today you can simply put a few
planks on a sidecar frame and carry a passenger perched on
them! Because the law fails to recognise the sidecar as a motorcycle, whilst you must wear a crash helmet on the bike you need
not when riding in the sidecar! You can no longer take you test
on a motorcycle combination unless you are disabled.
My contribution to the world of the motorcycle combina16
by Neil Cairns
tion is my current 1953 AJS 18S with its Watsonian ‘braked
wheel’ frame. (A brake on a sidecar really is a luxury, I ran a
1961 P&M Panther M120 for ten years, with a sidecar with no
brake. One quickly learned to plan ahead, especially with a
heavy load...) I originally fitted the bike with a Briggs ‘Swift 2’,
child/adult body which was an ideal display machine at shows for
the late 1950s. Then one day in 2010 I was listening to a talk by
a chap who did wickerwork. Amongst the many things he made
were coffins. I studied one of these and a week later visited him
with an idea. It would not be difficult to use a ply board base to
weave a very lightweight single-seater sidecar onto I suggested.
He, one Paul Weir of Stanbridge (01525 210834) told me he
made many wicker tool baskets for veteran and vintage bikes, so
working up to a sidecar body would be a voyage of discovery for
both of us. I went home and designed the sidecar and he then
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
A Light Combination...
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
set about weaving it.
In November 2010 I fitted the new wicker body to the
combo, easy as only four bolts hold it on. It proved to be a sensation and even two years later I still get lots of interest when out
on it. To get younger people’s interest, I put a note on the bike
that under eights can sit in it for photos. The bike is not a concours exhibit but a working machine. I have caught people in
their sixties and seventies having their photos taken (no mean
feat when you consider getting in and out of a sidecar without a
door.) The photos show the construction.
Many claim they have tried ‘driving’ a combination but
gave up defeated. It is nothing like a solo machine. Get it wrong
and you turn it over, so much greater care is required. So safe
were combinations in their day, many insurance companies cut
their premiums by 50% if a sidecar was attached. For those of
advancing years but a healthy interest in motorcycles, a sidecar
is much easier to handle than a heavy solo machine. You need
not lift it onto its stand, or bother putting your feet down when you
stop and you can carry much more. Putting the wife on two bare
boards though, with just luck to hold her on might today attract a
fine for ‘Insecure Load’.
My 18S has a 350cc engine primary sprocket to gear
the transmission down to tow the sidecar’s weight about. With
the big Briggs it was hard work for the engine. But with this
super-lightweight wicker body the ‘53 AJS will out accelerate its
older brother, my solo 1952 AJS 18S. The solo bike is much
faster though and easier to filter through heavy traffic. It is important that one remembers which machine one is riding when out in
heavy traffic. Trying to filter with a sidecar is bound to attract
attention... as is forgetting to put ones foot down when stopping
on the solo!
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
17
The
Jampot
60 in 60
Featured In
Looking Back at 60
Motor Cycling
An article reprinted from Jampot issue 597 April 2002
Bruce Main-Smith describes the day he rode a Matchless G2 (250cc) at 60 mph for 60 minutes.
Mortons
Athletic’s football ground near Plumstead. The man whose
hands you can see is certainly Jack Williams, head of competition dept and AMC’s development engineer, father of
roadracer Peter Williams, and one-time development engineer at Vincent-HRD. He had the same task later at de
Havilland under Dr Joe Ehrlich and I bet you didn’t know that
DH made two racing m/c which were basically E.German
Puch-type split-single two-strokes using EMC crankcases
cast at the Austin Motor Company (another AMC !) I rode
both the DH’s in a racer tryout at Brands Hatch. They never
came to anything.
Jack Williams supervised the tech side of the “Matchless
Mile-a-Minute Marathon” which was a sales director Jock
West-approved press stunt because AMC chairman Donald
S. Heather forbade formal road tests in a fit of post-war pique
to get back at the Press because he had been a staffman on
“Motor Cycling” pre-war and upset the management in some
who knows what trivial way and was “required to ask to
resign”. In 1960, with the assistance of Phil Irving (another
ex-VHRD and ex-AMC engineer, colleague of Jack Williams
and known as “Slide Rule”), I was able to persuade AMC to
change their policy concerning press roadtests by removing
from those tests the aspects that AMC claimed they objected
to. It is my belief is that the loss of publicity, and especially
reprint tearsheets for dealer and exhibition distribution, was a
major factor, though not the only one, in AMC’s demise.
(Another was their foolish purchase of Wico-Pacy’s huge
metal-pressing tool but that is another story.)
I took the G2 to Silverstone. Jack told me it had been
thrashed on the dynamometer and was unbreakable. I got
my head down behind the fork-crown north of Dunstable and,
on an empty A5 down-slope, put it to the spur. It seized the
timing-side main-bearing at full chat. Jack took it back to
Woolwich and rebuilt it overnight for we had Silverstone GP
T
he sole rider is BMS emerging from
the north end of the Blackwell Tunnel
(hope it wasn’t Rotherhithe and my brains
gone gaga?) having collected the specialtest Matchless G2 in August 1958. By this
date I had just started using as a trademark a yellow helmet with a black triangle.
Note the background vehicles of the period!
The static pic shows fellow staffman
on “Motor Cycling” John Panter Griffith
(we always wore initials in the office),
whose spectacle problem caused him no
end of difficulties with goggles especially
in the rain; in those days few could afford
goggles with prescription lenses and Ned
Kelly helmets with face visors had not
been invented. I am the rider on the right
and those look like Octopus and not Mk
8s?
I am reasonably sure the crouched
man behind “Griff” is AMC raceshop
mechanic Jack Emmott and later creator
of the Matchmaker, was it 600c, a single
for competition work and handmade by
him at his workshop on I think Charlton
18
Mortons
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
60 in 60 ...
Mortons
Mortons
Mortons
Mortons
circuit booked for our exclusive use the next day.
The test went well except Griff’s long legs fouled the kickstarter crank and did the internal ratchet a power of no good.
Another restart! The 60mph for 250 minutes was successful and
was ACU observed. The G2 was a nice bike, good engine, brilliant gearbox, but suffered from too small wheels (17 inch I think)
and an overlong rear fork and of course Wipac electrics. On the
picture note the rev counter drive that Jack Williams had provided. The CSR version (Competition Sports Racing) was nothing
more than gimmicky. The next year the YDS2, C72 and then the
Suzuki 250 2-stroke twin all arrived with specifications, performance, and prices that made British makers go ouch, though I am
sure they still could not see the writing on the wall. (AMC owned
Suzuki rights in GB and sold same to Lambretta as they saw no
future in Suzuki.) All Photo’s Courtesy Mortons Motorcycle Media
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
19
The
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
Jampot
AJS
&
Matchless
Owners
Club
Investing in the future of the m a r q ue
The Club’s Discount
Parts Scheme
for members
Jampot
Spares
Ltd
Unit 3, Robinson Way
Telford Way Industrial
Estate
Kettering
NN16 8PT
United Kingdom
Click this banner on www.jampot.com
Get your
parts from
T: +44 (0)1536 511532
F: +44 (0)1536 511607
spares@jampot.com
Jampot Spares
Club Members can check current prices and buy parts and
accessories online any time of the day or night!
AJS & Matchless Owners Club - Investing in the future of the marque
Normal Hours of business: Tuesday - Friday 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday 09:00 to 16:00, Sunday - Monday CLOSED
What is it?
Answer next month...
20
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
FBHVC Report
FBHVC CONFERENCE
Ethanol in petrol was discussed in some
detail. Much alarmist material has
appeared on the subject in various media,
and while there are potential difficulties to
be dealt with and overcome, the
discussions at the AGM on October 15
were useful in answering delegates’
questions, and in providing factual
information. A summary of the two
presentations from Matt Vincent and Steve
McArragher, covering Corrosion,
Compatibility and Combustion is given
here, in order to provide a concise
reference which should be of assistance to
owners of historic vehicles served by the
Federation.
Corrosion
Ethanol in petrol can degrade in storage if
not adequately treated with a suitable
corrosion inhibitor. If this should happen,
stored fuel becomes acidic, and can attack
materials such as zinc and zinc-based
materials, brass, copper, and lead and tincoated steel. Traditional materials used in
the fuel systems of historic vehicles are
thus at risk of degradation if no action is
taken. An effective corrosion inhibitor
specifically formulated to overcome the
tendency towards acidity in storage is very
effective at protecting fuel system
materials. These products are known in
the fuel additives industry, and a selection
is now subject to a test programme which
should ultimately allow the Federation to
issue endorsements for products providing
a proven level of protection. Use of a
suitable protective additive product at the
time of refuelling will thus provide a low
cost and effective solution to the problem
of potential corrosion of historic vehicle
fuel systems.
Compatibility
Ethanol in combination with petrol can
attack a range of traditionally used nonmetallic materials. Various types of rubber
used for fuel pipes, seals and gaskets
may prove to be incompatible with petrol
containing ethanol, leading to leakage
problems. The same is true for many
resins used in fibre-glass fuel tanks on
motor cycles and in some tank sealant
materials. Fibreglass tanks are very
vulnerable to damage if the medium
holding the fibres in place, the resin, is
attacked. Also, there have been cases of
consequential damage resulting from the
dissolving of tank sealant materials which
are incompatible with ethanol, allowing
unwanted viscous or gelatinous deposits
in carburettors for example. Unfortunately
the only real solution to the problem of
incompatibility of elastomers, plastics and
rubbers with petrol containing ethanol is to
replace the offending items with
compatible materials. A list of these has
already been published by the Federation,
but in summary, use of Neoprene and
Buna-N for hoses and gaskets, and Viton
for seals should produce a satisfactory
result. A key message is to ensure that
compatible replacement items are bought,
by asking about this aspect before
purchase. Tank sealant materials
compatible with petrol containing ethanol
are available, and it would be a wise
precaution to use this type of product
when treating a petrol tank.
Combustion
A number of concerns have been raised
about potential combustion problems in
using petrol containing ethanol. In fact
ethanol is potentially a good fuel for use in
spark-ignition engines, with a flame speed
slightly greater than that of most
hydrocarbons used in petrol. Ethanol was
widely used in racing in the inter-war
years, for example at Brooklands Track.
However, ethanol does have effects which
should be recognised; addition of ethanol
increases the vapour pressure and
volatility of petrol, which may exacerbate
hot fuel handling issues (sometimes called
‘vapour-lock’ problems), for example.
Ethanol has a high latent heat which cools
the air-fuel mixture in the inlet manifold,
and while this improves charge density
and can increase power output in a fully
warm engine, the same property can
degrade cold weather driveability (i.e. cold
start and warm-up characteristics).
Ethanol also contains oxygen and will
make the air-fuel ratio leaner. This last
aspect has been assessed and linked with
increased exhaust valve temperatures,
although the effect is fairly modest,
typically in the region of 20oC. However,
the combined effects of some mixture
leaning, coupled with increased vapour
pressure and fuel volatility could produce
noticeably unsatisfactory operation, with
more ‘vapour lock’ incidents for example,
in warmer weather. As a result, petrol
containing ethanol may have received a
worse reputation than is perhaps deserved
in respect of combustion. A number of
relatively simple measures can be put in
place to assist satisfactory operation with
petrol containing ethanol in historic
vehicles.
Compensation for leaner air-fuel ratio can
be achieved with most carburettors by
enrichment. Where hot fuel handling
issues, also called ‘vapour lock’ incidents,
are experienced, it is a wise precaution to
take steps to keep fuel cool. Fuel feed
lines should be routed away from heat
sources, electric pumps should be kept as
cool as possible, and mechanical pumps
should be mounted on a thermal break
where possible. It may be necessary to
mount carburettors on a thermal break as
well. Where the inlet and exhaust
manifolds are on the same side of the
engine, heat shields for carburettors can
be very effective at overcoming hot fuel
handling issues, and need not be
intrusive. For so-called ‘cross-flow’
engines where the inlet and exhaust are
on opposite sides of the combustion
chamber, vapour lock incidents are much
less common, but cold weather effects
may be more of a problem with petrol
containing ethanol. It may in fact be
necessary to take steps to get more heat
into the inlet manifold to overcome cold
operation symptoms.
Overall however, it is felt that the
challenges of operating with petrol
containing ethanol are not insurmountable,
and with some sensible precautions,
together with a number of material
changes and some practical heat
management under the bonnet, owners of
historic vehicles can continue to use and
enjoy their vehicles for many years to
come.
SORN CLARIFICATION
The subject of SORNing remnants of
vehicles is a difficult subject for DVLA
and there have been some
misunderstandings, which prompted
two questions from a member:
1. Do I now have to apply for SORN for
my vehicles that were recorded by DVLC
in 1978?
The short answer is no. SORN is still only
applicable to vehicles that were taxed on
or after 31 January 1998 and known as
pre-SORN.
2. If I do not apply for SORN is there a
likelihood that the registration number will
be allocated to another vehicle?
The short answer is again no, unless the
number is transferable, and you as the
registered keeper want to transfer the
number to another vehicle. Also the
vehicle needs to have an MoT before any
transfer can take place.
On a related topic I was asked if it is
necessary to alert DVLA to a recently
imported car before it is restored, MOT’d
and ready to be allocated with a
registration. Again the short answer is no.
An unregistered, but insured vehicle can
be driven to and from a pre-arranged MoT
test. When registering the imported
vehicle, just take the paperwork (not the
vehicle) into your local DVLA office.
Included in that package would be either
the non-GB registration document, or the
club’s dating letter. It could well be the
case that DVLA may look at the non-GB
registration document and request a
dating certificate and after inspecting the
documents, DVLA may wish to inspect the
vehicle. Once again, because this is a
prearranged DVLA inspection, it does not
need to be registered with DVLA for the
journey to and from the inspection.
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
21
The
Jampot
Secti
o
Garlands Classic Motorcycle Club
International Rally, held in June in
Pembrokeshire. This is a new event, but
the itinerary looks impressive and the cost
reasonable. Again more will be learned
later. If you want more info come along to
the section meetings. Have a good month,
cheers J.T.
ns
East Berks
Meet 1st & 3rd Monday
Burnham Cricket Club
Burnham, Berks.
Enquiries 0118 940 3081
www.amoc-eastberks.co.uk
Edited by Reg Stubbs - deadline 16th of the month
Bristol
Enquiries: John Allen
01454 319559
jga28@chso.fsnet.co.uk
Meet 1st Tues
The Fox (PH),
Easter
Compton
We in Bristol do ride out in the sticks a lot
but we were surprised to have a deer join
our Sunday run near Berkeley. It ran along
beside Geoff Fletcher’s bike for some distance and the theory was that it was really
a reindeer that had seen Geoff’s flowing
white moustache and was trying to liaise
with Father Christmas. The weather was
amazing for early January; what do you
call an Indian summer when it runs on into
winter? JA is in negotiations to buy a
Harris Matchless G80e/s from within the
club. As he likes to rev things a bit he
should get on well with the Rotax motor.
Electric start is becoming more popular,
with Pete Barraclough getting one fitted to
his Rapide. Terry Edmonds voted Vic’s
NSU as the nicest sounding single at
Keynsham until John Lewis arrived on his
500.
Cheshire &
North Wales
Meet 1st Weds
Helsby S&S Club
Enquiries: J Turner
01516 775647
Cheshire and North Wales January’s
AGM was postponed due to a bad bout of
man flu striking down a good proportion of
the members, most notably Section
Treasurer Alan Thomas. It is now changed
to Wednesday 1st February. Despite the
aforementioned plague, gales and heavy
rain, the January meeting was well attended. Malcolm Weaver advised on two
events happening this year which may
interest the section, the first is the welcome news that the Langothlan Railway
Festival will be run again this April. A few
years ago the section put on a display of
machines and members had a very pleasant stay of a week in their caravans at the
festival. We will learn about this in the
weeks to come. The second is the
22
East Berks On 27th December fourteen
of us met with the Newbury section at
Pangbourne. Somehow peace prevailed
and eventually twenty four of us were led
by Malcolm Arnold on a lovely run along
the Vale of the White Horse and back to
Newbury for refreshments (i.e. beer). On
6th / 7th Jan the Exeter Trial took place.
Just to add to the challenge, Roger &
John entered on a Chinese outfit with
welded up suspension. OK until section 3
when JT and outfit have had enough, with
the bike electrics working sometimes and
the chair wanting to get closer to the bike.
Halt! Meanwhile Graham on a Serrow
finds out it’s the toughest trial yet and
Ralph’s borrowed Ariel 500 gets him into a
watery ditch sans snorkel. Help! Our AGM
was on the 16th – no changes, except at
the current rate of spend we’ll be bankrupt
by 2020. And welcome to Carl, our latest
recruit.
E. London & Essex
Meet 2nd & 4th Thurs
at The Squadron
North Weald Airfield
Enquiries
01245 423982
www.ajs-matchless.com/eastlondon/
East London & Essex started the New
Year with a mid-week run on 4th Jan. Roy
led a total of seven bikes to Paper Mill
Lock, a picturesque boat mooring, on the
Chelmer Navigation. Needless to say with
Roy leading we were able to avail ourselves of tea & bacon butties. Our forthcoming events include the proposed
February mid-week run on the 15th, (vol-
organised by John Hallam threw up a very
worthy and very surprised winner
–Charles Parker! Our buffet night at the
Odd House on December 21st was a rollicking success with Dave and Barbara
Coleman providing a sing a long, I believe
the Charity swear box was clanking quite
nicely after an enthusiastic rendition of
“Alice”. Phil Bannister’s Twixmas run on
the 29th was a bracing if slightly damp 60
miles canter round South Derbyshire, finishing up for lunch at a garden centre,
only casualty was Paul Bosworth who
grabbed a handful of front brake forgetting
he was on his Suzuki which has “slightly”
better brakes than his normal steed, after
locking up the front wheel down he went,
fortunately it was at a slow speed and the
only things dented was his pride and an
indicator! After January’s events, February
has a lot going for us with our annual dinner and prize giving, the section AGM,
Andy Smith’s frostbite run and an old
favourite resurrected, a charity auction of
donated low value items, this promises to
be a lot of fun! Matt Dillon
East Suffolk
Meet 2nd Monday
Waldringfield Golf Club
Waldringfiled, Woodbridge
R.Cove 01394 411345
www.ajsmatchlesseastsuffolk.co.uk
East Suffolk Full report on Section website. Healthy turnout for Section AGM at
January clubnight assured democracy.
Albert and Richard dealt with business
briskly, brief reports from officers so
impressing members to clamour for their
re-election, especially after Treasurer
Peter announced a reduction in subs.
Long-standing runs Captain Dave, however, wished to stand down, so currently a
vacancy awaits a volunteer. Main topic of
discussion was crowding at the pub with
rising numbers. Therefore from February,
Section meets each second Monday with
more space at Waldringfield as above.
Fourth Monday natters continue at the
Turk’s Head. Cold Turkey Run, Section’s
unteer leader required) and our display at
Alexandra Palace on 24th – 26th. We are
looking for bikes to display on the club
stand which must be in place on the
Friday with collection on Sunday. As 2012
is our Diamond Jubilee, along with the
Queen, 1952 or earlier bikes would be
appreciated. Don’t forget to let Roy or
Dennis know of any possible venues or
club runs that you would like to do over
the coming months. Alan Jennings.
At the East Midland section leading up to
the Christmas break the excellent quiz
Online services at www.jampot.com
after-Christmas jaunt was brisk 25-mile
canter led by Maurice to finish at
Hasketon and meet some non-riders and
family for a bite of lunch.
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
Sections continued...
East Yorkshire
1st Wednesday
The Bell Hotel,
Market Pl. Driffield
C.Frow 01482 876163
At their AGM East Yorkshire members
welcomed Treasurer Karen Mason, who
joins Bill and Colin on the Section
Committee. Karen volunteered, or was it
coerced, to replace double Jampot Trophy
winner Steve who has looked after our
finances for the past six years. Clubman
of the Year was presented to octogenarian
Borman Clark, a long standing member
who with wife Pat entertains the Section to
lunch at their home each year. The award
was presented at an informal event at
Seaways Cafe; Fridaythorpe in November
An embarrassed Chairman Bill received
the unluckiest rider of the year award at
our excellent annual lunch at the Bell
Hotel in December. This attracted 66
members and guests, the raffle raised
£121 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance,
thanks go to Sandra Thompson for her
efforts. Thanks also to Mike Dickinson
who for the second year running has produced an impressive Section Calendar of
member’s bikes for our charity. A cheque
for £600 has been forwarded to the YAA,
which did not include these two most
recent fundraising efforts.
Fenrunners
Meet 2nd Monday
Girton Social Club
Girton
R.Hobbs 01480 381644
Apologies for no Fenrunners notes last
month – James & I were busy and forgot
the deadline. A new year is upon us and
once again Uncle Rex has made sterling
progress with his charity fundraising. This
was boosted by another £45 donated during his customary New Year beard trimming. Neville had a disturbing tale about
low life burglars who had broken into his
garage and stolen three crash helmets.
Luckily his bikes were untouched but
we’ve heard of another break-in in the
fens where the owner of a BSA was not so
fortunate so please be vigilant and make it
as difficult as possible for these scum to
make off with your pride and joy. Next
month we’ll have the winter quiz on general transport and Cambridgeshire history
and the events timetable should be just
about ready but we still need some ideas
or volunteers to organise some run outs.
HOE had the most marvellous Christmas.
Our pre-Christmas meal was deemed a
great success. We met at Jack’s Hill cafe
on a chilly morning; Barry led eighteen of
us on a picturesque (and freezing!) run to
our local, The White Horse. Angie and
Dave, our hosts, put on a fantastic spread
with everything a man could ask for
(although Conway will ALWAYS ask for
more). We all left much warmer and considerably fuller. The next meeting was ‘bits
in a bag’ and for a change John B. didn’t
win. Jon Martin took that honour. Dave
brought some mystifying bits along; full
marks go to Vicky and Louise for their bits.
Oh er Mrs.! Bob’s ‘Bakelite Music Quiz’?
Fantastic! COMING UP; 9/2/2012 ~ Dark
Traders Night. 23/2/2012 ~ Conway’s
‘Where am I’ quiz. 25th February, our
famous Annual Dinner. New faces guaranteed. Come, join us! for more details.
Steve Rogers
Hampshire
Meet 1st & 3rd Thurs
West Meon Hut (PH)
West Meon
Enquiries
023 9259 3116
hampshire@jampot.com
NO HAMPSHIRE NOTES THIS MONTH
Kent
Meet 1st & 3rd Monday
The Castle Hotel
Eynsford
Enquiries:
0208 2491208
KENT held their AGM on 16th Jan and
most of the committee agreed to stand
again but secretary for some years Ian
Fraser had already said he would not be
continuing and stood down. The Chairman
requested volunteers for the vacant post
but no one came forward and the meeting
ended without a new Secretary. A bracing
walk in the country followed by lunch at
the White Rock rounded off the old year
and was led by Roger Norman. 12 came
on the walk but 24 sat down to lunch, is
there something to learn here?
Preparations for the International Rally are
now intensifying with a rehearsal of one of
the runs on Wed 4th led by Rob
Mannering, more are to follow as it’s
essential for as many members as possible to be familiar with the chosen routes.
Our annual dinner will be held on Sat 25th
Feb and it’s important to book your places
with Mavis Hawkins call her on 0208 309
5918.
Newbury & District
Meet 1st & 3rd
Tuesday
Fox & Hounds (PH)
Peasmore. Enquiries:
0118 9712828
NO NEWBURY NOTES THIS MONTH
North West January’s club night was well
attended by twenty three members but no
bikes as the weather had been so poor.
Richard brought his equipment that
North West
Meet 1st Wednesday
Bowling Green Pub
Channock Richard
Enquiries
0161 643 4957
ajsjim@talktalk.net
enabled us to show some DVD’s. Peter
brought a DVD of the run to the War
Graves over in Belgium and France. He
had made a good job of editing the DVD
and everybody seemed to enjoy it. Now is
the time to be thinking of planning and
leading a run either for a night time or a
weekend run for this year, if you haven’t
led a run, maybe you have a good idea for
one! Our next meeting is the annual general meeting when we usually get a good
turn out.
Oxford
Meet 2nd Thursday
Red Lion (PH)
Eynsham
Enquiries
01869 248322
oxford@jampot.com
Oxford November club run was also
rescheduled but this time the weather was
fairly typical for time of year. Fog lingered
until after the coffee stop and by then
everyone was going home. Worth a run
out though. Steve Wilson, author of ‘’Short
Way Up’’ paid us a visit for our temporally
re-located club night in November. The
room above the Red Lion bar was cosy
and warm unlike our usual and Steve
entertained with tales of his travels on
Africa. The locals are still probably talking
about the eccentric British guy riding an
old motorcycle around their countryside.
He survived to tell the tale though.
January club night was busy. Not only did
the section AGM take place, there was a
progress report by John on organisation of
the Alternative Rally. This included discussion of the rally badge design, which is
looking good. John also had time for
some digital photos on his projector. A
nice reminder of warmer times.
Poachers
Meet 2nd & 4th
Tuesday
The Red Lion (PH)
Spilsby. Enquiries:
01507343562
poachers@jampot.com
NO POACHERS NOTES THIS MONTH
Surrey Section
1st & 3rd Thursday
Fowley Arms
Claygate, KT10 0LZ
Enquiries 01833
625733
charles@planetry.net
Surrey We wish members and readers a
happy and safe New Year of riding Our
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
23
The
Jampot
Sections continued...
venue at the Foley Arms in Claygate has
been terminated so will those members
with access to the Club’s internet website
please check it for news of future meeting
venues. Both the Boxing Day run to Little
London and the New Year’s day run to
meet up with Sussex Section were led by
Jim Allen and attracted few riders although
the weather was as improvement on last
year. Robin Gregory organised the Bits in
the Bag quiz which was run, after a tie
break, by Harvey who correctly identified
the bike badge from the BSA club, he
must have bionic eyesight! The annual
Awards Night held on the 19th January
was held at a temporary venue, The Ewe
at Weston Green near Esher. More next
month. We would like more members to
support the efforts of the committee, new
members can be assured of a warm welcome to our august body, A very important
future event is the section’s annual dinner
to be held on Saturday 3rd of March at the
King William IV, West Horsley, names to
Luky or Martin Flint. Other events for your
diary are a DVD show on February 2nd
and a quiz on March 1st. Hopefully by then
we shall have a new meeting place. John
Telfer
Sussex
Meet 2nd Wednesday
The Thatched Inn (PH)
Ockley Lane,
Keymer
Enquire: 01903 523849
rgssomers9@virginmedia.com
Sussex On Jan 1st the drizzle didn’t deter
Commando lump for the Atlas engine in
his G15 for the fifth time whilst he makes
yet another attempt to cure various head
gasket and piston ring problems. 28
appreciated the excellent Christmas dinner at The Thatch with the traditional
crackers, paper hats, and the brief glimpse
of P11 Peter’s NOS five pound note. A
dozen gathered at Peter and Pippa
Jackson’s for mince pies before the
Boxing Day run to The Plough at
Plumpton
Scottish
Section
Scotland
Meet 2nd Monday
The Hawes Inn
S.Queensferry,
Edinburgh
Enquire 01738 639582
dennis_jackson@blueyonder.co.uk
the hardy riders who met at The Blue
Ship, torrential rain gave them a very wet
ride home. P11 Peter’s G80CS restoration
is delayed whilst he re-secures his kitchen
units after torqueing the crankpin nuts to
190ft/lb. Malcolm’s rebuilding the 500 single which he lent to Hants Ian after Ian’s
1958 Model 30 outfit broke its crankshaft
en route to the Alternative Rally, then the
borrowed 500 seized on the Dartford
Crossing whilst Ian was returning from the
rally. Malcolm also has to rebuild his seriously damaged 650 CSR after being rearended on a roundabout by a SMIDSY 10
minutes after seeing Ian and the 500
recovered. Hi-vis jacketed Malcolm was
not badly injured, enabling him to comfort
the distraught lady car driver at the roadside. Smokeless Steve has swapped the
NO SCOTTISH NOTES THIS MONTH
Warwickshire
Meet 2nd Monday
The Tiltyard (PH)
Leyes Lane, Kenilworth
Enquiries 01788
815448
warwickshire@jampot.com
NO WARWICK NOTES THIS MONTH
Brightspark Magnetos Ltd is proud to announce the BRIGHTSPARK EASYCAP
T I VE R A
RNA ctober LLY 20
E
201
LT 5-7th O
2 1
Fitting next to the points, and routinely replaceable in 5 minutes just like a car's, the EasyCap is
a surface-mounted, multi-layer ceramic capacitor of very high specification mounted on a
specially made circuit board, and represents an important breakthrough for those who maintain
their ignition systems themselves.
Invitation from:
If this strikes a chord, please contact us via our website. We are there to try to help. The site also
contains a broad array of relevant and useful practical help for all magneto owners.
2
A
A great invention for anyone who's happy to play with a magneto, but hates the archaeological
excavation involved in condenser replacement as much as we do.
Designed for rotating coil magnetos, EasyCaps require the disabling or removal of the condenser
that is in the armature. Brightspark Magnetos offer the few special tools needed on loan (or free
drawings to make them) and extremely detailed step-by-step photographic and text instructions
at www.brightsparkmagnetos.com where all is revealed and more.
EasyCaps are available immediately for K series Lucas instruments, clock- and anti-clockwise,
and MO1 and MN2 magdynos. Prices are from £13.
Brightspark Magnetos Ltd – “Demystification and Simplification”
VMCC 64th Banbury Run
TM
see website for all details
24
Motor Heritage Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire, Sunday 17th June 2012
www.banbury-run.co.uk
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
0844 826
www.foot
4547
manjames
.co.uk
dard:
as stan
e
d
lu
c
in
Policies
embers
r Club M
unts fo
o
n)
c
is
ses
D
Europea
✔
(UK and
l Expen
a
y
g
r
e
e
L
v
r
o
wn Rec
Rage
✔ Moto
e Road
Breakdo
d
r
u
lu
c
o
h
in
✔ 24
ident to
nal Acc
o
s
r
e
P
✔
cking
age and
& Bikeja
ed Mile o available.
it
im
L
,
e
are als
ed Valu
✔ Agre ehicle options
V
Multi-
Whatever your pride and joy,
rest assured, we’ll get you covered.
The enthusiasts’ favourite for over twenty five years, Footman James is one of the
leading specialist insurance brokers.
With a UK client base of 140,000 owners of classic and vintage vehicles, Footman
James consistently uses its enormous influence to arrange our best deal for you.
So whatever your pride and joy, you can be confident that with
Footman James behind you, you’ve adopted our best policy.
Talk to us soon.
es,reervaitce!
W
your
Priority0844
0843
Quoteline:
357 1940
826
4547
www.footmanjames.co.uk
Footman James is a trading name of Aon Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
in respect of insurance mediation activities only. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded for your protection.
FP 5352.01.09
COMPETITIVE RATES on modern car, motorcycle, home and contents insurance
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
25
The
Jampot
CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE
Cherished by you
Insured by us
ars’ experience
verr 30 ye
9 Ove
e return on all
erriished salvag
h
C
9
0 years old —
rc
r ycles over 2
moto
free of charge
automatic and
d staff
le, experience
Knowlledgeab
efits
ve range of ben
Compreheensi
ons
and optiio
derwriting
a d flexible un
Bespoke an
for money
ptional value
Exxcceep
9
9
9
9
Image
Image courtesy
courtesy of: Classic Bike
Bike Magazine
Specialistt Insurance is a trading sstyle
tyle of Willis Limited, which is authorised and regulated
RH Specialis
byy the Financial Services A
Authority.
Specialistt Insurance schemes are administered
b
Authority
uthorrityy. RH Specialis
administered on
behalf of Willis Limited by
representative of
by Equity Red Star Services Limited, an appointed representative
Equity Syndicate Management
Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by
by the Financial
Authority.
Services A
Authority
uthorityy.
Quotation Hotlin
nee
01277 206911
ww
w.r
. hc
hclla
assssiic
ciin
nssu
urra
an
nc
ce
e.co.uk
rhclassiicb
bi
bik
ke@equity
tygr
g oup
p..c
co
o.uk
Classic
Vintage
Multi-Vehicle
Household
FP1203-5
26
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
We would like to include all shows in which the
AJS & Matchless Owners Club is represented,
Please keep us all updated throughout the year.
Wot’s On?
2012
Compiled by: John Lewis, 116A Beech Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4TX,
Tel: 01403-261976, Email: wotson@jampot.com Deadline 18th of the month.
FEBRUARY
2
2
5
5
5
12
19
19
18/19
20
22
23
25
25/26
26
26
28
Hampshire - AGM The West Meon 20:00
Surrey - DVD Show
Kent - Rochester Run, 10:30 The Friars, Aylesford
Hampshire - Sunday Run 10:30 Hambrook Common
Oxford - Andrew Greenwood Classic Motorcycle Show, Newbury Racecourse
Oxford - Club Run. BP Petrol Sation 10:00 TBA
Poachers - Trial, Wickenby Airfield. 10:30
Yorkshire - Sunday Run
HQ - Bristol Classic. Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet
Sussex - The Frosbite Run. The Thatched Inn, Keymer. 10;30
Kent - Rochester Run, The Friars, Aylesford 10:30
Heart of England - Where Was This. A Quiz by Conway. White Horse
East Suffolk - Saturday. Pub Lunch, The Plough, Sutton. 12:30
HQ - London Classic. Alexandra Palace
Poachers - Winter Run, Hagworthingham. 11:30
West Country Riders - 11:00 Piers Cafe, Otterham, A39, Cornwall
Kent - Club walk TBA
MARCH
1
3
4
Surrey - Club Night. Quiz
Hampshire - VMCC Autojumble. Bath & West Showground
Heart of England - The Log Fire Run, Jacks Hill Cafe. Leave at 11:00
East Suffolk - Evening Runs.19:30 Wednesdays, April to September. Spencer’s Garage, Martlesham.
Herts - Sunday Runs most weekends, for details contact Rob 01279-792329
Yorkshire – Informal runs every Saturday 01132843534 to check
Dates for your Diaries
Westward Ho! 30/31st March 1st April 2012 Doug Mitchell. email dougmitchell@tiscali.co.uk 01932 347335
AMC Day Ace Cafe, North Circular, London, Sunday 24th June
AJS & Matchless Owners Club Rallies
International
2012
25-28 May
2013
2014
2015
17-20 May
6 - 9 June
22 – 25 May
NB
England. Details, inc. booking forms,
now on club website.
Portugal Cancelled - New Location TBA
Germany
Denmark
Jampot
2012
24-27 August
2013
23-26 August
Kelso, Roxburghshire (Scottish Section)
East Berks Section
Alternative
2012
5 - 7 October
2013
October TBA
Oxford
Heart Of England
THE 2012 WESTWARD HO! RELIABILITY RUN
Coming to a West Country lane near you soon,
A journey of epic proportions,
A rider driven by the allure of a well-deserved breakfast,
A route mapped out with sacred directions,
A road illuminated by Uncle Joe’s finest,
A journey of folk law and legend,
The 2012 Westward Ho!
Will you be able to say “I was there”?
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
27
The
Jampot
Member’s Mart & Classified Advertisements
Please send all advertising material to Rob Swift (see
front inside cover for address details). Private members
adverts of up to 50 words maximum, will be free of
charge if (1) It’s a private advert (i.e. not trade) (2) You
are a member of the club and can quote your membership number? (3) The advert contains bikes and/or
spares that are of the marque? If you cannot satisfy
these conditions, you must include a cheque for £2 if you
are a club member or £5 if not a member.
TRADE ADVERTS
COSTS per issue
1/8 pg £20 +VAT
1/4 pg £40 +VAT
1/2 pg £75 +VAT
Full pg £130 +VAT
Lineage Only (Max 50
words) £5 +VAT
Discount - 12 for cost
of 11 (pay in advance)
TERMS - Strictly PAYMENT WITH ORDER
Pro-Forma Invoice available on request
Cheques for all chargeable adverts should be made
00sons of YOUR security, we do not normally print surnames or addresses at the end of private adverts.
The deadline for inclusion in the following
month’s Jampot is the 20th day of the month
Motor Cycles For Sale
1956 Matchless G3LS.This bike has been
in an attic for the last 27 years and is a
first class restoration project. The tin work
is in very good condition and needs only a
strip and paint to be as new.
Photos can be provided to show condition,
this bike is stripped down in boxes and
99% complete. Offers. Tel: Stuart 01856
741303 or 07761 646443
stuart@orkneycrystal.com
1965 AJS 250 14 CSR good running
order, paint and chrome in average condition, not used for several years but can
have MOT & service for additional £200 if
required - photos can be mailed on
request. £1100. Location Devon. Phone
01647 440806 - 07904246824 or email
alanrcooper@live.co.uk
1952 AJS Model 18 CS. In Black.
Excellent condition, very nice rebuild, 500
cc pre-unit engine AMC gearbox. Currently
SORN but will MOT and tax for buyer.
£4,750 o.n.o. Phone John on 020 8546
3571 or 07810 832 318 (mobile) or email
on john.2good@hotmail.com (Surrey)
Matchless Enduro G85CS Engine rebuilt
from a 1964 G3C with new parts!: G50
piston and conrod (550cc) and all internals
- Competition Magneto - AMAL Concentric
carb, Original Trial G3C Gearbox, Wheels
completely new, Alloy conical hubs with
new internal fittings, alloys rims, new tyres
- Front forks rebuilt, alloy petrol tank (ISDT
Model) £6000 - French registration documents - Photos on request - Contact JeanPaul (France) 00 33 3 80 37 47 23 or
alt.jp@orange.fr
1963 AJS Model 16. In Black. Good condition. £830. Phone Jorge on 00351
929143683 or email on
jorgemiguellopes79@gmail.com Buyer
must pick up or arrange transportation.
(Portugal)
28
Parts For Sale
Currently fitted to a 1953 AJS 18S on a
Watsonian braked sidecar frame is my
'BRIGGS' Swift 2 child/adult sidecar body.
The body is for sale in very good condition. It is well built and heavy in black
gloss and aluminium trimming. Buyer collects, photo sent if wanted. NOTE only the
Briggs body is for sale, not the AJS or s/c
frame! Neil Cairns £375
n.cairns650@btinternet.com
A pair of Camshafts for race, trim-cams for
better performance/upgrade, with its 4 followers. To suite a twin AJS/Matchless 600
cc. Very little used, ready to serve again.
Can e-mail jpg´s. Loobs standard width
but +1,3 mm higher lift and larger curved.
Open for offer, cost £300 GBP. Post on
buyers cost! Questions? Phone
+46706304725, Sweden or email
e-mail tordwestin@telia.com
For sale - Alternator Twin alloy chain case
£60. Post '56 swinging arm £35, pre-57
single flywheel assbly big end required
£40, '53' 350 cylinder head, bare £40, rear
brake pedal '53 £25, 19 rear wheel WM2
rim (believed high tensile) lightened, scalloped Alloy hub scruffy £50. Tel: Peter
01245 353297
Competition parts: oil tank complete for
heavyweights WW11 -1956 with sloping
seat tube, original paint, Alloy screw filler
£100. Armours Exhaust pipe: for 350s
Upswept, with silencer, unused, still
wrapped £75. Crankcase: drivers side
only, 1951 AJS 350 number 51 16M 1177
C £25. All p/p extra. Tel: Mike 01229
463694 or 007799 683108 (S.Cumbria)
Wanted - set of WD Cams for Matchless
G3. Please call 07833 110170
Wanted - Rear Wheel Hub for 1958 QD,
Pt No. 023067 Jens Jacobs E-Mail:
jensjacobs116@googlemail.com
Wanted - urgently, either new or good second hand inlet camshaft for 1956 G11 600
twin please phone Robin 01329 833579 or
e-mail robindoney@boarhunt.co.uk
Wanted - for 1965 AJS 31 CSR Petrol
tank, Diamond badged, Amal monobloc
389/92 Carburettor. Tel: David 01946
810901 or e-mail rdtrythall@hotmail.co.uk
(Cumbria)
Wanted - pair of AJS tank badges as fitted
to the 1953/54 machines. These are 2 1/8
inches in diameter as opposed to the 2
3/8 inch ones fitted from 1955 -1960. I
only need one but would be happy to buy
a pair. Please contact Ernie Merryweather
on 01933 622729 or e-mail to
lyndian@gmail.com
Wanted - Battery carrier for a 1955 AJS
18S. Phone Steve on 01159500514 or
Mobile 07947895990. or email on
st310759@live.co.uk (Nottinghamshire)
Wanted - a good pair of conrods for my
Matchless G9 500 Twin project. Please
email or ring with what you have. Tel:
Adam 07899 914198
adz.findlay@googlemail.com
Wanted - Rear frame loop cradle for a
1958 AJS M16 or Matchless G3. I have an
earlier rear frame loop if anyone is interested. Call William on 01324-717467 or email wgh1956@googlemail.com (Falkirk)
Wanted
AMC Twin wanted by member. Must be
Taxed, MoT’d and proven. I want to use it
for the 'Westward Ho' Trial in March.
Prefer a 600 but a 650 or 500 would be
considered. Your price paid for the right
bike especially if it’s close to home (West
Wiltshire). Tel: Peter 01225 763567 (any
time) or ideally mail@starfield181.co.uk
with some pictures.
Wanted - either a complete 500 single
engine or preferably a 500 barrel, piston
and head in sound condition. I love my G3
but would like a bit more grunt. Tel: Peter
01225 763567 or mail@starfield181.co.uk
(West Wilts area)
Wanted - a competition style petrol tank,
steel or alloy for duplex framed heavyweight. Also either a pair of fork sliders
with two lower stay lugs, or even one slider would help. Tel: Lyn 01495 303728 or
e-mail prossduff@aol.com
Wanted Lucas N1 or NC1 magneto.
Anything considered even ones that need
rewinding. Tel: Ken 07833 110170 or
e-mail ken.wallington@btinternet.com
Wanted - for 1959 G80S, crank assy, bottom end or complete engine. Needs to be
alloy chaincase alternator model. Other
parts also wanted, mail me what you have
please. Tel: Trev 0770 434 1546 or email
tkb576@btinternet.com
Wanted - any literature or info on my 1925
Model L5 (500cc) Matchless or even the
350cc version. Tel: John 07786 132206 or
e-mail jhp989e@btinternet.com
Wanted - AJS or Matchless short stroke,
either 350 or 500 considered. Complete,
original and unrestored prefered as funds
are not unlimited! Could consider a swap
for my nicely restored 1957 AJS Model 18
in fine condition, T&T. Prefer email contact
with couple of pics in first instance.
Apologies if anyone has tried to contact
me but the email address was printed
incorrectly. (er...no email address given
with this advert. It’s either
chris@sharrattc.freeserve.co.uk or
chrissharrattc@freeserve co.uk as you
entered in your adverts last month. CR)
Wanted - pre-'53 front frame. Tel: Peter
01245-353297
The AJS&MOC Ltd does not make any representation as to the accuracy or suitability of any of the information contained in third party advertisements
nor does it accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of those advertisements and the offerings made by any third parties.
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
Swedish sales brochure
image from 1958
Services & Trade
WIRING HARNESSES MADE TO ORDER;
Standard or modified to suit your bike. 12
volt conversions supplied. Most British bikes
catered for. COLIN FARRINGTON
2 Frettenham Road, Horsted, Norwich,
NR12 7LB Ph: 01603 737702
Mob: 07717 173575
B & B In Somme Battlefield, France. Run by
AMOC Members. Great motorcycle country.
Locked garage for bikes. Single B & B 37
Euros, double B & B 49 Euros per night.
Evening meals (French home cooking) and
personally guided battlefield tours on
request. Sylvie and Mike Byott. Phone/fax
(33) 322 851371 or email
Byotts@wanadoo.fr
Reproduction GB Tax Discs Add the finishing touch to your bike! 1921-1987 available. Correct design and colour for the year.
Indistinguishable from original. Two identical
discs for only £8 inc.post or £12 with stamp
changed to individual reg. office. I send on
approval with invoice - changes done FOC.
Website www.poplargreg.com or email
greg@poplargreg.com (01432) 353963
STAINLESS steel lever type hairpin valve
spring compression tool £7. Double ended
wheel bearing adjuster ring ‘C’ spanner
£5.50. Lucas face cam and pre ‘38 ring cam
type points covers (polished) £9 each. Prices
include P&P. Contact Derek Thom, 32
Barncroft, Norton Cross, Runcorn, WA7 6RJ.
Tel: 01928 791464 (evenings, mid week)
ANTISUMPING TAP fitted with ignition cutout switch for AMC singles and twins.
Further details from A.W. Dove, 322 Skip
Lane, Walsall, WS5 3RA. Phone 01922
623571 andrewdove@sky.com
KICKSTART CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES
Speciaist in AJS & Matchless Motorcycles.
Services, repairs, rebuilds. Singles and
Twins. Gearboxes, wheels, cycleparts.
Collection and delivery service available for
bikes.Callers by appointment only. Any
queries pease ring.Neil Fulcher, Frieston
Lane Farmhouse, Frieston,Grantham. Lincs,
NG32 3HF 01400 272853 (answerphone)
Mobile 07873249188
neilfulcher1@btinternet.com
NORMANDY France. Bed & breakfast
accommodation. Double bedroom with two
singles and one double bed. A bed settee in
the lounge area, bathroom with shower. Tea
and coffee facilities,TV/DVD. Secure garage,
£15.00 p.p.p.n. AMOC member. For
brochure telephone 0033233695762,
Mobile 07969031073 or e-mail
lalouvrie@hotmail.com.
Apr 11/12
JAMPOT RECONDITIONING £75 + parts.
Parts consist of top bushes, oil seals, washers, bottom & top rubber bushes (cost
around £55). All other parts extra. Postage
£15 with insurance. Send cheque for £75
and I’ll take them apart and give you a quote.
Turn around 14 days approx. N A Lynn. 30
Malvern Close Newmarket. Suffolk. CB8
8BP. Tel: 01638 665855 or e-mail
nalynn@virginmedia.com
PAINTWORK & LINING, petrol tank repairs
and restoration, I can quote on individual
items or job lots, contact Glenn on 0790
4244567 or email glenn@gddseign.co.uk
and feel free to check out web site
www.gddesign.co.uk.
Local collection and delivery, Welford,
Northants
Is your tin chaincase leaking? I have the
cure, a heat and oil resistant neoprene seal.
Please send cheque for £10 to
G.Buckingham - price includes P&P.
G.W.Buckingham, 152 Blue Boar Lane,
Sprowston, Norwich, NR7 8RY You can
phone Geoff on 01603 429674.
D.A.D RESTORATION, Mechanical Repairs
including Engines, Gearboxes, Frame Parts
and Tinware. MoT’s arranged. High quality
polishing of alloy components. All at reasonable rates. Club member for 30 years with
comprehensive experience in motorcycle
restoration. Contact David Dockerill, 6 White
Caville, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 9QG. 01440
702845 or e-mail dockerill@talktalk.net
www.dadrestoration.co.uk Jun11
WORKSHOP 14 - We offer sympathetic
repairs to your motorcycle. Frame repairs,
welding, brazing, cycle parts, engine and
gearbox rebuilds, electrical repairs, blasting
and paint service. For good old fashioned
service call John Bolton 07802 740672 or
Mick Clarke 07910 179784
Mar11
STUART TONGE, race engine preparation.
Specialising in AMC Singles and Manx
Nortons. Cylinder head porting and flowing,
exhaust pipes, meggas and mufflers. Full
race preparation and dyno testing. NEW G85
engines in 2010! Phone Stuart on 01767
650503 or email tonge164@btinternet.com
Jun 11
The AJS&MOC Ltd does not make any representation as to the accuracy or suitability of any of the information contained in third party advertisements
nor does it accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of those advertisements and the offerings made by any third parties.
29
The
Jampot
T & L Engineering
ENGINE RECONDITIONERS
*Head Refacing
Unit 1, Pear Tree Farm
Wilstead Road, Elstow,
Beds MK42 9YG
*Cylinder Heads
*Valve & Seat
*Full & Short
Cutting
Engines
*Camshaft Kits
*Valve Seat
*Cam Followers
Insertion
*Valve & Valve
*K-Line Valve
Guides
Guides
*Valve Springs
*PCC Fitted
*Timing Chains
*Pressure Testing
*Head Bolts
*Chemical Cleaning
*Rocker Shafts
*Camshaft Caps
*Oil Pumps
*Thread Inserts
*Pistons
In-house manufacturers of
Stainless Steel nuts, bolts
and specials for your AJS
and Matchless.
For a free price list please
send SAE to:
ACME STAINLESS
*Spark Plug Inserts
*Piston Rings
*Sump Plug Inserts
*Engine Bearings
Bar turned parts manufactured to original samples
but this time in Stainless
Steel - keeping your bike
looking authentic and rust
free.
Billinghay, Lincoln
ACME STAINLESS Ltd
Limited
PO Box 671
LN4 4XX
Or for enquiries please
phone or fax
01526 861991
www.acmestainless.co.uk
*Gaskets
SPECIALISTS IN
*Crankshaft Regrinding, Reboring and Sleeving*
*Line Boring, Metal Spraying & White Metaling*
*Boring and Thread Insertion in Situ*
*Modern, Vintage and Classic Engines*
--- NEW --- DYNAMIC CRANKSHAFT BALANCING
Collection & Delivery Service
Tel: 01234 352418 Fax: 01234 352100
www.tandlengineering.co.uk
CARE AND
ATTENTION
DESERVES CARE
AND ATTENTION.
WHICHEVER
WAY YOU
LOOK AT IT.
We know how much your bike means to you.
Which is why all classic bike insurance policies
through Carole Nash include:
• UK & European Breakdown Recovery, including Home Start
• Free Agreed Value*
• Up to £100,000 Legal Protection
• Up to 10% off for membership of a recognised owners club*
carolenash.com
0800 954 0140
Opening hours in the UK: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. *Subject to satisfying underwriting conditions.
30
Online services at www.jampot.com
February 2012
Sections
The Journal of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club
BRISTOL The Fox, Easter Compton. 1st Tues. John Allen, 28 Grace Close, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6NS. 01454 319559 jga28@chso.fsnet.co.uk
BORDER Bay Horse Inn, West Woodburn, 1st Weds, Ian Ives, 11 St John’s Terrace, Dipton, DH9 9DT, 01207 571909 captainianives@yahoo.com
CHESHIRE & Nth WALES Helsby Sports & Soc. Club, Chester Rd, Helsby, 1st Weds. John Turner, 85 Rosslyn Drive, Moreton, CH46 0SX. 01516775647
johnaturner@talktalk.net
CHILTERN Carriers Arms, Watlington, S.Oxon, OX49 5AD. 19:45 1st Weds. Eamonn Townsend, 45 Greenwood Meadow, Chinnor, Oxon, OX9 4JH, 01844 351480
DORSET & WESSEX Meeting informally on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Wimbourne FC. Contact Phillip Chick 01202 693333 for details.
EAST BERKSHIRE Burnham Cricket Club, Taplow Common Road, Burnham. 1st & 3rd Mondays. Contact David Younger, Durnore, Blakes Lane, Hare Hatch, Twyford,
Berks, RG10 9TA, 0118 940 3081 youngerdavid@btinternet.com
EAST LONDON & ESSEX The Squadron North Weald Airfield, Epping, Essex. 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 8pm. Roy Bellett, Rose Cottage. Frog Lane, Kelvedon Hatch,
Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0JJ. Ph: 01245 423982 g15.mk2@btinternet,com Evenings: Dennis Fox Ph: 0208 554 7608
EAST MIDLANDS The Odd House, Snarestone, DE12 7DQ Fortnightly Weds. John Renwick, 32 The Belfry, Stretton, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 0XS, Ph:
01283 541880, johnrenwick@orange.net
EAST SUFFOLK Waldringfield Golf Club, Waldrinfield, Woodbridge, IP13 6JG. 2nd Mon. Richard Cove, Sheenhurst, Alderton Road, Hollesley, Woodbridge, IP12 3RH
Tel: 01394 411345 rcove45@yahoo.com
EAST YORKSHIRE The Bell Hotel, Market Place, Driffield, 1st Weds @ 8 pm. Colin Frow, 19 White Gap Rd, Little Weighton, Cottingham, E.Yorks, HU20 3XB, Ph: 01482
876163 colinfrow@hotmail.com
EXETER Informal Section at present. Alan Smith Ph: 01392 430485 alansmith3@gmail.com
FENRUNNERS Girton Social Club, Girton, 2nd Mon. Richard Hobbs, Huntingdon. Ph: 01480 381644 or 07811 803377. matchless@mongeese.co.uk
HAMPSHIRE The West Meon (Hut). 1st & 3rd Thurs. Ray Farmer, 16 Victory Avenue, Horndean, Hants., PO8 9PH. Ph: 023 9259 3116 hampshire@jampot.com
HEART OF ENGLAND The White Horse, Husborne Crawley, Near Milton Keynes. 2nd & 4th Thurs. Steve Rogers. tel: 01525 853355 heartofengland@jampot.com
www.ajs-matchless.com/heartofengland
HERTFORDSHIRE The Goat, Hertford Heath, 1st Thursday. Rob Harknett, 1 Parkfields, Roydon, Harlow, Essex, Tel: 01279 792329.
ISLE Of MAN The Sulby Hotel, Main Road, Sulby. 3rd Weds from 19:30. John Cross, 44 Slieau Curn Park, Kirk Michael, I.O.M. IM6 1EM Tel: 01624 878469
JURASSICS Fox & Hounds PH, Cattistock (Nr Maiden Newton, Dorset) Ph: 01300 320444. Last Weds. Chris Lucking 01305 773524 lucking650@hotmail.com
KENT The Castle Hotel, Eynsford. 1st & 3rd Mondays, 8.30pm. Ian Fraser, 3 Downs Hill, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 5HA Tel: 0208-2491208 fraser_i2@sky.com
NEWBURY & DISTRICT Fox & Hounds, Peasmore. 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. Contact Malcolm Arnold, Meadow View Cottage, Beenham Village,
Berks RG7 5NX. 0118 971 2828.
NORTHUMBERLAND 3rd Weds, Robin Hood, Harlow Hill on B6318.
NORFOLK The Griffin, Yarmouth Road,Thorpe, Norwich. Last Thurs. Phil Weller, 3 St. Martins Gdns, New Beckenham, Norwich, NN16 2AX. Tel: 01953 860455 wsunbeamer@aol.com
NORTH DEVON Contact: Doug Almond, 50 Pixie Dell, Braunton, N.Devon, EX33 1DP Tel: 01271 816941 dougal50@talktalk.net
NORTH ESSEX The Alma, School Road, Copford Green, Copford, Colchester, CO6 1BZ. 1st Wednesday. Contact John Lay, 14 Laxtons Sweet Briar Close, Leavenheath,
Colchester, CO6 4NP, Ph: 01206 263912 john@laxtons14.freeserve.co.uk
NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE Quarterly by arrangement, Ian Massey, 8 High Street, Woodlane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 8PB. Ph: 01782 721740
NORTH WEST The Bowling Green, Charnock Richards on A49. 1st Wed., after 8 pm. Jim Kenyon, 1A Hall Drive, Middleton, Manchester. Tel: 0161 643 4957
ajsjim@talktalk.net
NORTHERN IRELAND No contact at present.
NOTTS & DERBY The Gate Inn, Awsworth. 2nd & 4th Thurs. Ken Odlin, 1 Byron Crescent, Awsworth, Notts. Tel: 0115 932 2366 kenneth.odlin@hotmail.co.uk
OXFORD Red Lion PH, Eynsham (West of Oxford) 2nd Thurs. Contact Bill Beavis Ph: 01869 248322 oxford@jampot.com
POACHERS (LINCS) The Red Lion, Spilsby. 2nd & 4th Tues. John Hattersley, Watery Lane, Goulceby, Louth, LN11 9UR. Ph: 01507 343562 poachers@jampot.com
PRE-WAR & WD Not Active
QUANTOCKS Not Active
SCOTLAND The Hawes Inn, South Queensferry, Edinburgh. 2nd Mon. Dennis Jackson, 14 Mavisbank Gdns., Perth, PH1 1HY. Ph: 01738 639582
dennis_jackson@blueyonder.co.uk
SOUTH KENT The Chequers P.H., Stone Street, Kent. Nr Petham on B2068. 3rd Monday from 19:30. John Michael, 01227 793212. Jomichael@aol.com
SURREY The Foley Arms, Claygate, KT10 0LZ. 1st & 3rd Thurs, 20:00. Charles Bainbridge, 20 Landscape Road, Warlington, Surrey, CR6 9JB. 01883 625733
charles@planetry.net
SUSSEX The Thatched Inn, Ockley Lane, Keymer, West Sussex. 2nd Weds. Neville Bolding. Hon.Sec. 19 Western Rd., Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, BN6 9TA, 01273
831933 matchless.services@yahoo.co.uk
WARWICKSHIRE The Tiltyard, Leyes Lane, Kenilworth, 2nd Monday. Andrew Ross, 21 Hoods Way, Rugby, Warwicks., CV22 7EU, Ph: 01788 815448,
warwickshire@jampot.com
WEST MIDLANDS Old Halesonians Rugby Club, Wassell Grove, Wollescote 1st & 3rd Tuesday. Colin Tolley, 01299 271220, colin@andrewtolley.demon.co.uk
WEST LONDON John Bradford, 4 Bury Avenue, Hayes, Middx., UB4 8LF. Tel: 0208 841 5745.
WEY VALLEY Four Horseshoes PH, Long Sutton, Nr Odiham, Hants. 1st & 3rd Tues of the month. David Chatley, 140 Ship Lane, Farnborough, Hants., GU14 8BJ, 01252
543599 david.chatley@ntlworld.com
WORCESTER Contact: Roger Jenner, Grove Cottage, Walterstone, Herefordshire, HR2 0DT. Ph: 01873 890467, rogjenner@aol.com
YORKSHIRE Gildersome Conservative Club, Street Lane, Gildersome, Morley, Leeds, LS27 7HX. 2nd Tuesday. David Pegden, 21 Hill Top Lane, West Ardsley, Wakefield,
WF3 1HT, 01132 538601 David.pegden@btopenworld.com
Overseas
ARGENTINA MM Fissore, Ruperto Godoy 3839, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina.
AUSTRALIA David Baker. Ph: 61 3 9786 4063 model2a@yahoo.com.au (www.downunderjampot.com)
BELGIUM Andrew Meynckens, Neerhoevelaan 96, B 2640 Mortsel, Belgium. Tel: (32) 34 40 11 27
CANADA Mike Partridge, 33988 Denfield Road, RR2, Lucan, Ontario, N0M 2J0, Canada. Ph:(519)227-4923 Fax:(519)227-4720 sales@walridge.com
CYPRUS C Constantinou, Alasias 21, Limassol, Cyprus.
DENMARK P Hansen, Flintevej 22, Fensmark, 4684 Holmegaard, Denmark. ajsph@stofanet.dk
FRANCE Jean Paul Altayrac, 4 Rue de Labergement, 21130 Auxonne, France. (33) 3 80 37 47 23
GERMANY Otto Werle, Tulpenweg 13, 74229 Oedheim. Ph: +49 (0)7136 20525 otto.werle@web.de
HOLLAND Harrie van Ewijk. Dries 63 6561 VR Groesbeek, Netherlands. +31 (0)24-3787934
ITALY Sandro Capra, Corsodi Porta Nuova No 15, 20121 Milano. Ph. 00 39 2 659 2112. Fax 00 39 2 539 2369. Registro Storico Itlaliano. Sergio Gavoni, Via F. De
Lemene 6, Milano. Ph. 02 38008073, Mob: 335-5621702. ajsregistrostorico@fastwebnet.it (www.ajsmatchlessclubitalia.it)
MALTA Albert Pisani, 54 High View, Triq-il-Vittmi tal Gwerra, Birkirkara, BKR 4272 Malta. Ph: +356 9947 7196, Fx: +356 31 492 454 albertpisani@gmail.com
NEW ZEALAND
(S) Gordon Alexander, Whites Road, Ohoka, RD2, Kaiapoi. Ph (00643) 312 6458 GordSue@xtra.co.nz
(N) Marty Hewlett, 51 Killen Rd., R D 2, Katikati. Ph/Fax 00647 5490931 compys@xtra.co.nz
NORTH AMERICA John Diederich 118 Pointe Harbour Lane, Mooresville, NC 28117-3511 Ph: (704) 663-2555 cycletoys@aol.com
NORWAY JT Jensen, Fjellstua, N-1796 Kornsjo, Norway.
SOUTH AFRICA Gary Reabow, PO Box 1414, 3650 Hillcrest, Kwa Zulu Natal. South Africa. Ph. +27 31 7655463, Fax +27 31 7655119 gary@reabow.com
SWEDEN Lennart Andersson, Backvägen 5, S-18641, Vallentuna, Sweden. Ph. (46) 8 511 77751, fax 8 511 76608. cammakaren@hotmail.com
SWITZERLAND John Arpel. Sennhuttenstr 17, CH-8810 Horgen, Switzerland. Mobile +41 79 340 0294 Fax: +41 44 355 3098 john.arpel@art-allianz.com
‘HELPLINER’ Technical Helpline 01844 216868 (9.00am to 9.00 pm) helpliner@jampot.com
31
AJS & Matchless Owners Club
Preserving the future of the
Buy or sell a bike of the marque or
other classic motorcycle through the
Club’s dedicated sales outlet
m a r q ue
Kettering
Classic Motorcycles
Every penny of
profit from the sale of
motorcycles by
Kettering Classic Motorcycles
is made available to the Club’s
Spares Scheme for the
development and
manufacture of new parts for
the
AJS & Matchless
marques.
(2)
1960 Matchless G5 350cc Lightweight. Nice clean bike. New rims, good paint
£1,995
1958 Royal Enfield 150 Two Stroke. Lovely paintwork
£1,200 SOLD
1989 BMW K75. Full Service History
£1,400 SOLD
(27)
1955 BSA C11G. Pretty little bike
£1,200
(29)
1959 Matchless G12. Red & white. Good original bike. Great engine. Goes well £3,500.
(17)
2006 Royal Enfield Electra X. Lean burn engine. Only 1700 miles. As new
£2,700
(9)
1957 Matchless G3 Special. You ain’t seen anything like this.
Really must be seen. Ring for details
£3,995 (see picture)
(31)
1956 Matchless G80. Lots of money spent on this bike
£2,900
(1)
1961 AJS Model 8 350cc. Recent Rebuild
£1,995
(6)
1972 Triumph Trident T150V. Superb. Must be seen
£5,999
(10)
1958 James Captain 197cc. Very well restored. Large history file
£1,800
(13)
1964 AJS Model 14 with CSR engine. Project
£650 ono
(8)
1980 Honda CX500. Runs very well. Possible future classic
£1,100
(11)
50788
Type G12.
SSU700
1964
Matchless
Completely original. Last owner 24 years
017031S Rigid
£3,100 Rear
(25)
Headlamp
Complete
1959
BSA Bantam
175cc. MOT’d. Runs well
Chain Stainless
£595
WithNorton
Switch
1946
16HPanel,
500 Side Valve. Superb. Must be seen
Adjusting Bolt
£4,600 SOLD
Switch, Ammeter and
(Old Pt. No: 41-G3L-
Watch website for more details or ring Chris on 01536 511532
Bulbs EACH £52.00
The AJS & Matchless Owners Club
All Prices plus P&P & VAT
would like to sell your AJS or Matchless single or twin or other classic motorcycle on
commission, or buy it for CASH. You don’t need to advertise, you’ll not have tyre kickers wasting your time,
you’ll not be suspicious of dodgy cheques and you’ll not be scammed by unscrupulous web buyers.
Preserve the future of the marque - let Kettering Classic Motorcycles buy or sell your bike
Call today on 01536 511532 or go to www.kettering-classics.com