• Great looking British trials bike

• Rebuilt engine and gearbox

• Competition upgrades

• Little recent use

The rigid framed AJS Model 16 was first created in 1945 out of the Matchless G3L World War II

Motorcycle by parent company Associated Motor Cycles. It proved to be very reliable and economical and sold in large numbers well into the 1960’s.

Being so rugged and reliable, the 16MC was perfect for increasingly popular trials events. The competition department decided to create a welded duplex tubular frame with a weight saving engine cradle and redesigned the footrests and exhaust to improve ground clearance.   

In the hands of Hugh Viney from the AJS works team, the newly named 16MSC competition machine won the challenging 1947 Scottish Six Days Trial and fellow team member, Gordon Jackson, subsequently went on to win the Scottish Trial four times during the 1950’s on the highly capable AJS.

First registered on the 14th July 1956, the early history of this particular 16MSC is unknown. It resided in Nottingham for some years and was owned by B & S Motorcycles in Nottingham from 2012 until the current owner purchased it on the 24th May 2016.   

It appears that B & S Motorcycles rebuilt the engine and gearbox and the current owner undertook some restoration work, although it doesn’t look as though he rode this great looking machine much, if at all. It has been dry stored in a garage.

The owner has now sadly recently passed away, and so this ASJ is being offered for sale by his family.

The up to date V5 is present along with a couple of MOT’s from 2011 and 2012, and looking online, this AJS passed all the recorded MOT’s, with no advisories, but has not been presented for MOT since 2013. The last recorded mileage was 12,596 in 2011.  

The exempt tax runs until 1st November 2022 and the registration number is noted as ‘non-transferrable’. A couple of really useful hand written sheets from the owner outlines the current specifications and some servicing requirements.   

This AJS looks as though it has been very well cared for and has clearly been rebuilt/restored. Looking at notes from B & S Motorcycles and the owner, the rigid frame may be a Charlie Bamford Special but may not match the V5 frame number of 5866. The owners notes suggest a newer frame number of 8829.

The paintwork, gold stripes and logos on the relatively new alloy fuel tank (which cost £690.00), is pretty much unmarked as is the oil tank. The frame, handlebars, alloy mudguards and chrome parts are very presentable. 

The Amal throttle grip rubber, brake cables, folk gaiters, etc. all appear good. The hubs, wheels and spokes look fine too and the Michelin ‘Trial Competition’ tyres have loads of tread remaining. The sprung alloy saddle is topped with foam.      

Housed in a rigid frame, the well proven and rugged 347cc OHV four-stroke single is linked to a four-speed gearbox. The engine number of 12070 doesn’t match the V5 but according to the owners notes this engine was “stripped and rebuilt” in 2013 (possibly by B & S Motorcycles?) and the gearbox was “stripped and high road gear” fitted in April 2016. Carburation is provided by an Amal concentric carburettor and a Lucas competition magneto has been installed in front of the cylinder.  

Interestingly, a 1 penny coin featuring the uncrowned King George VI is inset on the left hand side of the engine. A Veglia Borletti speedo has been added at engine block height and indicates 12,596 miles - the same mileage as recorded at it’s MOT in 2011!. 

Overall, the engine and ancillaries are very clean with no obvious signs of any major oil leaks.

The owners family inform us that the bike was last ridden about a year ago and has been started more recently. They believe it ticks over and runs well and that the suspension and brakes, etc. all operate well. Obviously a thorough check over and possible service will need to be carried out. 

Despite some initial disappointments with the AJS (and Matchless) range of engines back in the day, the AMC lightweight singles are now massively improved with modern electrics and good maintenance regimes, and are considered a superb proposition for occasional use.

Cosmetically speaking, this stunning and sporty 16MSC is in great condition. It’s purposeful stance and proven competition upgrades make it a proper old-timers trials motorcycle for the well-acquainted rider.  

With numerous pre-’65 trials events out there, this could be the perfect British fun machine for you. Better than money in the bank and with plenty of tinkering-time thrown in.