AJS
AJS Motorcycles, an emblem of British motorcycle craftsmanship, bears the initials of A.J. Stevens & Co., founded by Joe Stevens and his sons in Wolverhampton, England. The journey of this esteemed motorcycle manufacturer began in 1897, building on the existing foundation of Stevens Screw Co. Their pursuit of excellence led to the creation of their first motorcycle, incorporating a US-sourced Mitchell engine.
The Stevens family, continually innovating, began developing their engines, advancing from the borrowed Mitchell design to novel V-twins and parallel twins. These homegrown engines were incorporated into other leading motorcycle brands of the time, including Werner, Wolf, and Clyno. Their engines' superior quality was established when a Wearwell motorcycle, powered by a Stevens engine, clinched victory at a grueling 24-hour endurance race in 1909.
Motivated by this triumph, the Stevens family decided to embark on their independent venture, forming A.J. Stevens & Co. (AJS Motorcycles) in 1910. Their inaugural model, a 298cc side valve single featuring a 2-speed gearbox, made a notable debut at the 1910 Motorcycle Show. The Stevens' commitment to innovation was rewarded with remarkable successes at the racetrack and in the showroom, setting an impressive tally of 117 world records during their tenure.
Despite their success, the economic waves of the 1930s led to the acquisition of AJS by Matchless, owned by the Collier Brothers. This merger marked the inception of Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) in 1938. While the two brands maintained their distinctive identities, they shared nearly identical mechanics from then onwards, marking an early instance of 'badge-engineering'.
Post-WWII, AJS, like other British motorcycle manufacturers, introduced vertical twin engines, with the AJS Model 31 distinguishing itself with its superb performance. However, the flood of high-quality, inexpensive Japanese motorcycles into the market in the 1960s presented a formidable challenge. Despite their best efforts, AJS and Matchless fell on hard times, leading to their absorption into the Norton Villiers group in 1966.
Yet, the spirit of AJS lived on. The Stevens brothers' aspiration to craft excellent motorcycles led to iconic models like the 16MS, 18MS, Model 20,30,31, CSRs, and the “Boy Racer” 7R. In 1974, AJS Competition Manager Fluff Brown purchased the remaining AJS Stormer spares from Norton Villiers and restarted the production of AJS Stormer based machines. Today, AJS continues its proud legacy under the guidance of Fluff's family, delivering unique, quality motorcycles that echo the rich heritage of AJS.
AJS Motorcycles, with its enduring legacy of over a century, stands as one of the oldest British motorcycle companies. It symbolizes an illustrious past and an exhilarating future.
