Whilst sourcing bits for my Matchless WD G3L, I've gathered up quite a few extra parts, sometimes wanting one part out of a box of bits on ebay etc they soon add up, the idea was to build another bike from the bits into a late AJS or Matchless Heavyweight frame ......
I seen an advert for a AJS Model 8........ Intesions were only to go and look at the bike to see if I could use or transplant most of the gear etc, but ended up buying it ........ the price was too good and couldn't walk away, so picked it up last week in the Matchless Carrier.
Weather put a stop on things for a few days, was good yesterday so after curing the fuel leaks (no clips on the fuel pipes) and using a temp battery I fired it up, the previous guy who had it stores his bikes with diesel in the tanks so after swilling the tank out and giving the carb a quick rinse through........... it fired up, not as much smoke as I anticipated........., so was more than happy, took it for a quick spin but never got far as the front brake cable snapped..... new one on order and brakes and drums inspected and cleaned .....
Its an oily rag example, there is rust etc but only minor, runs sweet as a nut and its all there except for a small cover that covers the adjustment for the gearbox and.
Its on the road , Insured and taxed although it doesn't need tax you still have to tax it but at no cost, the MOT is not needed as no major alterations and is over 40 years old.
The reason behind the AJS model 8/Matchless G5 (same bike different badges) was mainly they are still cheap compared to older AMC bikes, also with very few parts easy to make it into a replica of the model 14 CS scrambler, which it will look like in the future, for now it will just be a runabout, one thing I do need is to put a aftermarket set of indicators on it, can't say I like them on a classic but with todays drivers I doubt many know what I'd be doing with my left arm out....
The suppliers name is Joe Pengelly & Sons Ltd , Redruth Falmouth.
The last pic shows what can be done with them..... Scrambler, trail or trials. All though advertised as a Lightweight they were the heaviest of all the "Lightweights of the day.
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