1927 AJS 799cc Model H2 Motorcycle Combination Project

Registration no. DR 2165
Frame no. H60731
Engine no. (see text)

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 998cc engine.

First registered on 8th June 1927 1927, this H2 example has the 799cc (7hp) engine first introduced for the 1921 season. It should be noted that AJS changed their model nomenclature in 1925, adopting an alphabetical system starting with 'E'; thus the Model D 'Passenger Combination' became the E1 (magdyno) and E2 (magneto) for that year. The 799cc twin was last listed in 1928 as the K1/K2, the letters 'F' and 'I' having being missed out.

This AJS project belonged to the private vendor's late father, who acquired the machine in 1964 as recorded in the old-style RF.60 continuation logbook. No further history is known. It should be noted although the old V5 and RF.60 record an engine number of 'G45072', there is no engine number visible. Additionally, these documents omit the frame number's 'H' prefix. The only other paperwork consists of DoT correspondence from 1984 and an old MoT (expired 1965).

The machine is offered for sale as a project and sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, authenticity, originality, mechanical condition, completeness (or otherwise) and compatibility of component parts prior to bidding, sold strictly as seen. Key not required.