AJS Model 30 - a new bike joins the family

 Well, his has been a long time coming. A few months ago, son Thomas & I conceived a plan to buy a project we could build together with the kids - to give them some hands on experience and learn some new skills. I wanted Tom to buy something he really wanted, and we looked and bid on a Sunbeam S7, a BSA B50, an A65 and looked at an Aril NH (which was a very good deal but wasn't a project).

I'm delighted that we ended up with this, a 1958 AJS Model 30 - Tom says there is a poetical symmetry to it, since I had a 1957 example when I was at university which we sold soon after we bought our first house.

It's an eBay find, described like this:

• AJS Model 30 Project rebuild or spares.
• Frame and engine are 1958 model 30
• Was going to rebuild, but will never happen, so must go.
• Engine fully rebuilt by local AJS Model 30 club specialists 15 years ago, still turns over fine. Comes with AMC gearbox and clutch Etc. and majority of all major parts to rebuild, look at photo and you’ll see what’s included.

Obvious things that are missing are the silencers, mudguards, speedo and rear shocks but if we really have a properly rebuilt engine for less than £900 we will have done well!

Main frame and wheels above and most of the rest of the cycle parts below. Siamese exhausts - a sidecar bike? The rear mudguard stay looks like one from the CS model; there's a chainguard, brake pedal, battery carrier and lots of other bits:

A box of bits, including a new looking set of engine bolts:

Another view of the same curtain - there are two tanks in the kit that arrived and we see fork legs, some very high bars, a set of yokes (one of two), headlamp shrouds, one of two headlamp shells, centre stand, a head steady, footrests, frame rails, sidestand, oil pipes, engine plates and covers and the toolbox:

A tidy 58/30 engine with dynamo, gearbox, oil tank, primaries and clutch:

We can't wait to get stuck in!

FH - update

 The FH has been the go-to bike recently, and it is shaking down again after it's 500 mile service. I'm getting on top of the carburation helped by Hitchcock's (or Amal's?) guide to tuning the Mk1 Concentric, and now that I have it ticking over with a #30 pilot jet and the pilot air screw 1/4 turn out, I might go to a #25!

It's flying along and looks great:

Notice that the rear wheel is nicely off the ground in these pictures!

The only problem is - it's still burning oil. The head is going to have to come off again to inspect the guides which is a shame, because the leaks are cured...