Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
26th March 2025 - 9:00AM
1961 AJS 7R
Beautifully presented 350cc racer
Estimate
£16, 000 - £19, 000
Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: 1731
MOT: Exempt
Authentically restored example of an AJS 'Boy Racer'
Extensive recommissioning by Stuart Tonge in 2018
Thought to be one of Tom Arters 1961 team bikes
A. J. Stevens began producing motorcycles in 1897 and soon became known as simply AJS. An amalgamation with Matchless in 1931 formed AMC which continued until the group's closure in the mid-1960s. The company promoted its standard road bikes by successfully competing in sports events with some advanced designs such as the pre-war AJS 500 with a water-cooled and supercharged V4 engine. On resumption of sports events after WW2, Les Graham won the first 500cc World Championship on the twin-cylinder AJS Porcupine in 1949. The 7R was an OHC single-cylinder 350cc racing motorcycle built from 1948 to 1963 that was soon nicknamed the ‘Boy Racer’. Together with its bigger brother, the Matchless G50, it was the mainstay of racing throughout the 1950/ 60s winning many events for both the works team and privateers alike, becoming one of the most successful over-the-counter competition motorcycles of all time.
This stunning-looking 7R was bought by the vendor 10 years ago to add to his small private collection of British classics. In 2018 the bike was recommissioned by recognised expert Stuart Tonge who carried out an in-depth engine overhaul and a brakes and suspension service at a cost of £3, 758. Once completed it was run up on a dyno showing it putting out just under 32bhp with an open 'mega'. Since then it has been run each year and then returned to dry storage. It is thought to be one of three bikes run by legendary sponsor and tuner Tom Arter in 1961, as part of his race team that fielded riders such as New Zealander Hugh Anderson and Canadian Mike Duff. As is always the case with race bikes, it is difficult to verify this as the bikes would have been constantly taken apart and rebuilt throughout their competition career. It's rare to find such an iconic and originally presented bike as this and it will make a fantastic addition to any collection. It comes supplied with copies of the dyno charts and the receipt for the recommissioning work from Stuart Tonge.
