Buyers Guide

[Janet]

I agree that it's a great idea and not only for young people. Sadly, I don't think I know enough about any of the bikes to be able to help with the supply of information. Possibly I could read through any articles etc that I can find from when the marques/models hit the shops to dig out some of the changes.

I'm good at proof reading.

Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in compiling this and especially to Mark for showing what can be done.

[Rob Harknett]

Wouldn't it be advantageous to include a timeline of the more significant changes which were introduced across the range? The evolution of the frame, suspension, transmission, electrics etc.

Yes, you're right - in each section (for a particular model) we will have an area that describes the frame and suspension and the timeline of changes over the years. I think we can include the engine and gearbox together in one area as well.

TIMELINE is very important. In this first instant I think it should be clearly stated. ALL information is for the post war era only.
The prewar era would be a mine field. Two different marques with a huge range of models. Many models were re introduced in the post war era. Some totally different than when they were first introduced in the prewar era.
To name some that could cause confusion ... 1936 G2, 1935 G3, 1936 G80, 1937 G5 498cc SV, 1936 mod 20 AJS 495 OHC V 4. 1926 AJS 498 OHV mod 8 also 1926 AJS mods get referred to as G2 G3 , G5, There were also variations of these models.
e.g. To state G2 introduced 1958 could cause confusion if some one got hold of a prewar 1926 AJS v twin G2, or prewar Matchless 250 OHV G2. like wise any others listed above.
I have post war literature from which I could check dates when models were introduced/discontinued, also stating changes made. This includes Harris and Fluff Brown. I would also know if any of the models said to be introduced in the post war era, were in also in fact a prewar machine with the same model number..

[ma120990]

I agree that it's a great idea and not only for young people. Sadly, I don't think I know enough about any of the bikes to be able to help with the supply of information. Possibly I could read through any articles etc that I can find from when the marques/models hit the shops to dig out some of the changes.

I'm good at proof reading.

Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in compiling this and especially to Mark for showing what can be done.

Proof reading is essential in these things as well as an appropriate E & OE (errors and Omissions Excepted) statement plus suitable disclaimer.

[G15 Roy]

Rob here is your chance to provid any or all of your information on pre war bikes as you do on the Archives web site.

TIMELINE is very important. In this first instant I think it should be clearly stated. ALL information is for the post war era only.
The prewar era would be a mine field. Two different marques with a huge range of models. Many models were re introduced in the post war era. Some totally different than when they were first introduced in the prewar era.
To name some that could cause confusion ... 1936 G2, 1935 G3, 1936 G80, 1937 G5 498cc SV, 1936 mod 20 AJS 495 OHC V 4. 1926 AJS 498 OHV mod 8 also 1926 AJS mods get referred to as G2 G3 , G5, There were also variations of these models.
e.g. To state G2 introduced 1958 could cause confusion if some one got hold of a prewar 1926 AJS v twin G2, or prewar Matchless 250 OHV G2. like wise any others listed above.
I have post war literature from which I could check dates when models were introduced/discontinued, also stating changes made. This includes Harris and Fluff Brown. I would also know if any of the models said to be introduced in the post war era, were in also in fact a prewar machine with the same model number..[/quote]

[Rob Harknett]

Rob here is your chance to provid any or all of your information on pre war bikes as you do on the Archives web site.

I do not think I have another 15 years left to do all that work again Roy. All my info has been given to and archived by the club. Mainly photocopies also a lot of PDF files on DVD. Anything I have, the club has already got. What you are asking for I have already done. Which the club archives list will confirm. I have spent a small fortune buying this literature and supplying the club with copies at no charge to the club and no expenses for anything at all. There is nothing in the archives that I have not given freely to the club. There are however many files I only gave to the club. As you should be aware of, as you have many of these. example of some items in club archives.;

Ashampoo_Snap_2017.11.04_19h39m41s_001_.png

TIMELINE is very important. In this first instant I think it should be clearly stated. ALL information is for the post war era only.
The prewar era would be a mine field. Two different marques with a huge range of models. Many models were re introduced in the post war era. Some totally different than when they were first introduced in the prewar era.
To name some that could cause confusion ... 1936 G2, 1935 G3, 1936 G80, 1937 G5 498cc SV, 1936 mod 20 AJS 495 OHC V 4. 1926 AJS 498 OHV mod 8 also 1926 AJS mods get referred to as G2 G3 , G5, There were also variations of these models.
e.g. To state G2 introduced 1958 could cause confusion if some one got hold of a prewar 1926 AJS v twin G2, or prewar Matchless 250 OHV G2. like wise any others listed above.
I have post war literature from which I could check dates when models were introduced/discontinued, also stating changes made. This includes Harris and Fluff Brown. I would also know if any of the models said to be introduced in the post war era, were in also in fact a prewar machine with the same model number..

[/quote]

[Rob Harknett]

I can give a copy of my library list to check against the club list. I do not think anything will be found I have not given to the club. If there is I will give it.

[G15 Roy]

Sounds good all we need to do is make sure that Eamonn can use it or give it to Mark.

[SPRIDDLER]

In this first instant I think it should be clearly stated. ALL information is for the post war era only

Agreed. As long as that was stated it wouldn't be necessary to confuse folk by listing pre-war bikes with similar numbers. It's rather doubtful that a younger newcomer or someone without any knowledge would start off with a pre-war bike unless he had inherited it from his (Great?) grandfather.

[Group Leader]

This is all very commendable but isn't a fundamental point being missed?

Most people (I'm guessing) in this and all the other similar clubs are I would suspect either life-long motorcyclists or people such as myself who have returned to motorcycling as an indulgence after a significant absence caused by, well, life.

Why does anyone chose this marque or that marque (and as a consequence specialist club)? I would suggest that the majority make their initial choice because it has some significant meaning to them and, most usually, that will be either they had one in their youth or just as likely they lusted after one in their youth. In my case it was a significant family connection with the brand that has now caused you lot to be lumbered with me, but IF I were fortunate enough to be able to double the size of my current motorcycle collection their is >90% chance that that second machine would be a 1970's air-cooled RD Yamaha (there, I've said it in public and I couldn't help noticing that a well known classic bike dealer in Pembrokeshire has a very nice 350 for sale - not that I've been looking you understand). Can you guess what I used to ride back in the day?

Anyway, what's the point of all this? Well in my opinion, years ago there was a typical progression of transportation for Joe Public which went something along the lines of:

School years - Walking & cycling
Further education or (more likely) first job years - small motorcycle followed if you were lucky by a big motorcycle
Early marriage & start of family years - sidecar or, more likely, an old banger
Middle age years - better and possibly bigger cars
etc etc.

It was this progression that set the seeds for us old duffers to return in later life to the wonderful world of motorcycling. I believe that that progression is no longer applicable. I'm guessing that the percentage of young people who now start their independent life on a bike is incredible small in comparison with 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago where it was the norm and that is the fundamental problem. There are no seeds being sown in those early years anymore.

Having information on our various beloved machines is all very interesting and nice but I would suggest that it won't entice 99.9% of the younger generation into biking let alone into AMCs.

Why not? The reason they are not here is not through lack of information it's because of a complete lack of interest in motorcycling. They are the generation that are completely over-loaded with information and, most importantly, are very adept at finding it if they want it (and even this old duffer can find it if wants, as I did ~12 years ago when I first found this very forum). So, clearly they don't want it; they have different views as to what they want to do and how they wish to get about.

The problem is that if you want to ensure a steady stream of AMC enthusiasts in the future you need to come up with a means of producing many more young motorcyclists in general and then hope that a very small percentage of those will be inquisitive enough to discover and become hooked on our chosen beauties.

I know people are often critical of the "modern" Chinese AJS and deride it as not "being a proper AJ" which, I'm now embarrassed to say, were exactly my thoughts initially. But don't knock it; what it is doing is preserving the name and putting a place holder in young minds that will at least provide a head start for those inquisitive minds when the time is right to go and find out about the "proper" ones.

If it's any consulation I can confirm very similar discusions are going on about the dire prospects for some of my other, completely unrelated, interests and no doubt for angling and stamp collecting too (not that I know anything about either of those!)

Alan

[uktom77]

Great idea. Simple, useful and I should imagine, a good read when done. Good progressive tool that'll undoubtedly help for years to come. I could have done with this ten years ago when, as a younger member, I first got into AMC bikes. Now have three in the garage.


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