Description
This motorcycle is Lot 313 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 101 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Lot 313
The Connoisseurs Collection
AJS 350cc 7R3A Replica Racing Motorcycle
Registration no.
Frame no. T/ O F1 (see text)
Engine no. Team Obsolete 01 (see text) Gearbox no. 7R 0 53 26
Largely fabricated in New Zealand
Copied from Rod Coleman's 1954 TT winner
Campaigned by Rod Coleman in New Zealand classic events
Sold to the current vendor in 1997
Will require recommissioning following a period of inactivity
Built from 1948 to 1963, Associated Motor Cycles' AJS 7R - known as the 'Boy Racer' - was one of the most successful over-the-counter racing motorcycles of all time. Almost all of Britain's road-race stars of the 1950s and 1960s rode a 7R at some stage of their careers and the model remains a major force in classic racing today, being highly sought after by competitors and collectors alike. The 7R was conceived as a customer machine for sale to private owners, but was also campaigned by the works team.
Although a new design by Phil Walker, the 7R, with its chain-driven overhead-camshaft, was very reminiscent of the AJS 'cammy' singles of pre-war days. Despite the fact that the 7R was not, initially, as powerful as its main rivals - the Velocette KTT and Junior Manx Norton - its robust and simple construction endeared the model to the privateer responsible for his own maintenance. While the duplex loop frame and Teledraulic front fork remained essentially unchanged throughout production, the engine underwent almost continuous revision, latterly under the supervision of Jack Williams. To this end the valve angle was progressively narrowed; the inlet port downdraft angle made steeper; the crankshaft strengthened; and, in 1956, engine dimensions changed from the original long-stroke 74x81mm bore/ stroke dimensions to the 'squarer' 75. 5x78mm, permitting higher revs. AMC's own gearbox (also used on the Manx Norton) replaced the previous Burman in 1958, while engine development continued almost to the end of production, by which time the 7R was putting out around 41bhp.
There was also a works-only three-valve 'triple knocker' - the 7R3A - which New Zealander Rod Coleman used to win the 1954 Isle of Man Junior TT. Designed by H J 'Ike' Hatch, creator of the pre-war Excelsior 'Mechanical Marvel', it featured one inlet and two exhaust valves, each with its own cam, hence 'triple knocker', and retained the stock 7R's chain drive to the cams, albeit canted backwards. This engine first appeared in 1952 and went into a stock 7R frame initially, though there was a new one for that year's Isle of Man TT. Hatch later came up with a revised triple knocker 7R3B with shaft-driven cams, though this was never raced. For the 1954 IoM TT there was another new (lower) frame, which was fitted with deep pannier fuel tanks like those used on the E95 'Porcupine' 500 twin.
The late Rod Coleman enjoyed a lengthy association with Team Obsolete's Rob Iannucci, which led to the construction of the AJS 7R3A replica offered here. The replica was largely fabricated in New Zealand using some original parts supplied by Team Obsolete, owners of the sole surviving original 7R3A that Rod rode to victory in the 1954 TT. However, there are significant deviations from the original, both structurally and historically. The engine's condition is not known. Photographs of the build are on file. Rod Coleman campaigned the replica in New Zealand classic events over many years before selling to the current vendor in August 1997. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. It should be noted that the frame and engine numbers stamped on this replica bear no relationship with any of the original AJS 7R3 numbers and were not authorised by Team Obsolete. Key not required.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
