LOT 32

1930 AJS 996cc R2 V-Twin Registration no. UY 7068 Frame no. R50642 Engine no. R2/50642

Sold for £16,100 inc. premium

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Lot 32

1930 AJS 996cc R2 V-Twin

Motorcycles Online - The January Sale|27 January 2025, 12:31 GMT|Online, Milton Keynes

1930 AJS 996cc R2 V-Twin
Registration no. UY 7068
Frame no. R50642
Engine no. R2/50642

Formerly suppliers of proprietary engines, the Stevens brothers of Wolverhampton diversified into manufacturing complete motorcycles, setting up A J Stevens & Co in 1909. The brothers' first machine was a 292cc (2½hp) single equipped with either direct belt drive (Model A) or a two-speed countershaft gearbox with all-chain drive (Model B), this latter combination being advanced in its day, especially for a lightweight. A 5hp v-twin - the Model D - joined the range in 1912. Intended for sidecar work, the Model D was powered by a 631cc sidevalve engine and came with a 'beefed-up' version of the two-speed gearbox. The Model D's engine was enlarged to 696cc (6hp) for 1913, while a three-speed gearbox and internal expanding rear brake were additional improvements. A new, smaller 'Double-Purpose' v-twin - the 550cc Model A - arrived in November 1914, at which time the Model D was redesigned along 'A' lines and further enlarged to 748cc. Endowed with an effortlessly flexible motor and built to A J Stevens' traditionally high standards, the v-twin 'A-J' was one of the most effective and popular sidecar tugs of its day. The model remained a fixture of the range into the early 1930s, latterly with a 996cc engine.

Manufactured in 1930, this R2 v-twin has the 996cc engine first introduced for the 1929 season. The owner acquired the AJS in 2000 and, together with his father and daughter, used it regularly as a motorcycle combination in the VMCC's Banbury Run (the machine is pre-1931 and thus eligible for this highly popular event). Offered as a separate lot (Lot 148), a period-correct AJS sidecar is included in this sale.

An older restoration presented in wonderful 'barn-find' condition, the AJS was last taxed in 2003 and currently displays a total of 3,054 miles on the odometer. The engine turns over and the private vendor has had the engine running recently (video available). Offered for sympathetic recommissioning and/or restoration, this delightful Vintage-era v-twin is offered with old/current V5C documents and an HPI printout, which records the machine as having previously been registered overseas and not registered/re-registered in the UK until 1983.
Key not required

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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