AJS & Matchless Owners Club

Hi,
I have been looking to purchase a 1956 AJS 16MS for a month or so and one has just popped up on Ebay and I wondered if anyone knew anything about it
It looks a bit pricey at £4,500 (owner wants an offer)
I did ask the owner how long he has had it and it appears he has only had it a month (a guy bought his car and paid cash plus gave him the bike) so I assume he does not know much about it
It looks ok in the pictures but I would have thought it was only worth circa £3,500
Do you have any knowledge or experience of this bike and what would you pay for it?
All information much appreciated
Andy

As you say over priced and no owner history better bikes are out there.

G15 Roy wrote:As you say over priced and no owner history better bikes are out there.

I would say that is good advise. Better to buy of a club member if possible, then if all goes wrong to can ask the questions in the forum.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-350-cc-16MS ... b8fffeb22b
Does look very shiny, and the pipe is blued so guess it's been run a bit, odd lack of any details and slightly worrying comment about puppy ate the V5!!
Personally, at that sort of money, I'd be looking out for a long term owner, probably club member, with a big folder of history.
Regards kk

Thanks for all your comments, I think I will give it a miss.
There is a great 1955 16MS for sale on Kettering Classics for £3,399 but I particularly want to buy a 1956 because it was the year of my birth (and my initials are A J S)
I will keep looking.
Cheers

spurrea wrote:Thanks for all your comments, I think I will give it a miss.
There is a great 1955 16MS for sale on Kettering Classics for £3,399 but I particularly want to buy a 1956 because it was the year of my birth (and my initials are A J S)
I will keep looking.
Cheers

I applaud your dedication! Why not join the club and place a wanted ad? The bike you are looking for will turn up, for sure.
Regards kk

A little overpriced and not enough details for my liking stick with the advice from the site members

KK,
That is exactly what I did, I joined the club and placed a wanted ad so great minds think alike
I am still looking
Regards
AJS

Proper job! My only other comment would be to purchase a copy of Roy Bacon's Matchless and AJS Restoration, all post war singles and twins. This book is affectionately known as 'the Bible'. It contains a considerable amount of detail about the differences the factory made year on year to each model and includes a wealth of information about the standard spec of each model...carb size and jetting, sprocket sizes, chain lengths, etc. Once inwardly digested, you'll be able to spot a genuine 56 16MS at 50 paces!

Thanks KK, book on order
I had already bought a book: AJS & Matchless Buyer's Guide by Martin Redman, who received help from Roy Bacon in writing his book but now I will read the godfather's book
I do know from Martin Redman for example that the 1956 Roadsters increased 19 BNP and the horn was moved under dualseat, combined mudguard stay and stand became stay only etc
I have made room in my garage for an AJay, I just need to find one....
Andy