My Vintage AJS

At the end of 2009 I bought my first Vintage Motor Cycle a 1927 AJS side valve,and so far it has provided me with many hours of enjoyment being used on various Vintage Motor Cycle Club runs. I bought the machine off Ron Farthing a dealer in Vintage Motor Cycles. The Vintage Motor Cycle Club run an event they call Vintage Training days, where members can go along to a gathering and are kindly allowed to ride  other peoples Vintage Machines, and it was at one such day that I was bitten by the Bug, and decided I wanted my own Vintage Motor Cycle.

Tinkering with my Vintage AJS

Is it me I thought ...or are the days getting lighter after work?  And so the other night after work I went straight into the house and got  changed into my old work shop clothes. One job I have wanted to do for a while is replace the valve guides on my ageing side valve engine, there is quiet a bit of play between valve and guide. Luckily for me a Friend in the club is going to make me a replacement pair of Valve Guides, but first of all I need to get my head off....and now  a few peaceful hours in the Garage...Bliss!

Tinkering with my Vintage AJS

Most of the spanners and tools I use on my AJS I find  at Car Boot Sales or Jumble Sales and only pay pennies for them, and try and work on my bikes using those same spanners witch are also kept in the bikes toolbox.

The Cylinder head and barrels on these early AJS Side valves are held down by two long bolts ( for and aft ) witch in turn are connected to a steel bridge across the head, Basically just two long bolts holds the lot!

Tinkering with my Vintage AJS

One Spanner I didn't keep in my toolbox is the one I had to use to remove the valve caps, hopefully I can pick up some more copper washers at next weeks Race Retro show at Stoneleigh.

Tinkering with the Vintage AJS

The Cylinder head is now removed complete with the original Binks Eccles Carburetor, with the valve caps removed you can clearly see the two valves. And now a good time as any to stop work for the night and go and get some Tea.

Any Old Iron!

As a child I was always being told to look where I was going , and not to look down at floor so much! However old habits die hard and even to this day I cannot resist keeping my eyes open for interesting things in the street while out on my travels , sometimes we can literally walk over them without a second glance.

I spotted this man hole cover complete with frothing tankards of beer near the site of the former Truman Brewery in Brick Lane London.

Any Old Iron!

This Square cover is one of a pair in the south part of town in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. These old ones are fast disappearing as they get updated with modern replacements....possibly Victorian?

Any Old Iron!

Any Old Iron!

Any Old Iron!