LOT 463
1951/52 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle Frame no. 1478 Engine no. 52/7R 104
Sold for £14,950 inc. premium
Lot 463
1951/52 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle Frame no. 1478 Engine no. 52/7R 104
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
1951/52 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 1478
Engine no. 52/7R 104
Frame no. 1478
Engine no. 52/7R 104
• Iconic over-the-counter racer
• Offered from the private collection of the late R J Gardiner
• Got running in June 2021 after 18 years inactivity
Built from 1948 to 1963, Associated Motor Cycles' AJS 7R - known as the 'Boy Racer' - was one of the most successful over-the-counter racing motorcycles of all time. Almost all of Britain's road-race stars of the 1950s and 1960s rode a 7R at some stage of their careers and the model remains a major force in classic racing today, being highly sought after by competitors and collectors alike. The 7R was conceived as a customer machine for sale to private owners but was also campaigned by the works team.
Although a new design by Phil Walker, the 7R, with its chain-driven overhead-camshaft, was very reminiscent of the AJS 'cammy' singles of pre-war days. Despite the fact that the 7R was not, initially, as powerful as its main rivals - the Velocette KTT and Junior Manx Norton – its robust and simple construction endeared the model to the privateer responsible for his own maintenance. While the duplex loop frame and Teledraulic front fork remained essentially unchanged throughout production, the engine underwent almost continuous revision, latterly under the supervision of Jack Williams. To this end the valve angle was progressively narrowed; the inlet port downdraft angle made steeper; the crankshaft strengthened; and, in 1956, engine dimensions changed from the original long-stroke 74x81mm bore/stroke to the 'squarer' 75.5x78mm, permitting higher revs. AMC's own gearbox (also used on the Manx Norton) replaced the previous Burman in 1958, while engine development continued almost to the end of production, by which time the 7R was putting out around 41bhp. There was also a works-only three-valve 'triple knocker' - the 7R3A - which Rod Coleman used to win the 1954 Isle of Man Junior TT, while a Matchless-badged 500cc version of the production 7R – the G50 – was introduced towards the end of 1958.
The AJS 7R was passed to the current vendor by his father, the late R J Gardiner, whose collection of ISDT and SSDT competition motorcycles was sold by Bonhams in April 2019. This machine consists of a 1951 frame, 1952 engine, and 1949 gearbox. Its history is not known. Dry stored in R J Gardiner's private museum and not run for 18 years, the AJS was re-commissioned in June 2021 (fresh oil and petrol; float needle unstuck) and fired up easily on the starting rollers. Downsizing enforces its sale. Included in this Lot are copies of marque-related literature; a copy AJS spares list; The Classic Motorcycle (June 1986); and The AJS 7R by Mick Walker.
• Offered from the private collection of the late R J Gardiner
• Got running in June 2021 after 18 years inactivity
Built from 1948 to 1963, Associated Motor Cycles' AJS 7R - known as the 'Boy Racer' - was one of the most successful over-the-counter racing motorcycles of all time. Almost all of Britain's road-race stars of the 1950s and 1960s rode a 7R at some stage of their careers and the model remains a major force in classic racing today, being highly sought after by competitors and collectors alike. The 7R was conceived as a customer machine for sale to private owners but was also campaigned by the works team.
Although a new design by Phil Walker, the 7R, with its chain-driven overhead-camshaft, was very reminiscent of the AJS 'cammy' singles of pre-war days. Despite the fact that the 7R was not, initially, as powerful as its main rivals - the Velocette KTT and Junior Manx Norton – its robust and simple construction endeared the model to the privateer responsible for his own maintenance. While the duplex loop frame and Teledraulic front fork remained essentially unchanged throughout production, the engine underwent almost continuous revision, latterly under the supervision of Jack Williams. To this end the valve angle was progressively narrowed; the inlet port downdraft angle made steeper; the crankshaft strengthened; and, in 1956, engine dimensions changed from the original long-stroke 74x81mm bore/stroke to the 'squarer' 75.5x78mm, permitting higher revs. AMC's own gearbox (also used on the Manx Norton) replaced the previous Burman in 1958, while engine development continued almost to the end of production, by which time the 7R was putting out around 41bhp. There was also a works-only three-valve 'triple knocker' - the 7R3A - which Rod Coleman used to win the 1954 Isle of Man Junior TT, while a Matchless-badged 500cc version of the production 7R – the G50 – was introduced towards the end of 1958.
The AJS 7R was passed to the current vendor by his father, the late R J Gardiner, whose collection of ISDT and SSDT competition motorcycles was sold by Bonhams in April 2019. This machine consists of a 1951 frame, 1952 engine, and 1949 gearbox. Its history is not known. Dry stored in R J Gardiner's private museum and not run for 18 years, the AJS was re-commissioned in June 2021 (fresh oil and petrol; float needle unstuck) and fired up easily on the starting rollers. Downsizing enforces its sale. Included in this Lot are copies of marque-related literature; a copy AJS spares list; The Classic Motorcycle (June 1986); and The AJS 7R by Mick Walker.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness, and originality prior to bidding.
Additional information
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