AJS & Matchless Owners Club

Hi just got a AJS 350 1961 model 8 not been run since last Christmas should we empty the sump and is there no ignition key and what battery would we need. We have no instruction book. We know it has a 6v coil. But that's about all we know. Any help would be appreciated Thanks

You need to state the model of your bike. I think the first thing you need to do is look at the instruction book for your bike. Your three questions need questions to be asked before they can be answered. Do you know how the lubrication system works ? Do you know what to expect if you drain the oil from the sump. The second question may not be known, as the bike may not be standard. A lot could have happened to it since 1961. So look at the Instruction book. How to start the engine. If it say's switch ignition on by turning switch to ing. If you do not appear to have this switch, it could have a replacement for which you may need a key. Same with battery no point of us telling you a 6 volt type, if the voltage of your bike has been changed to 12 volts. If this bike is totally new to you, if may be worth joining the club. You may need a lot of help and advice. Often getting correct advice saves money. Which could easily justify the membership fee. You have a limited free use here on the forum.

You would be welcome to come and ask questions at the North West Section. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at about 8pm, our new venue is Charnock Richard Football Club, just off the A49 near Coppull.
Cheers Dave.

peterd54 wrote:Hi just got a AJS 350 1961 model 8 We have no instruction book.

If yours is standard (i.e. no significant changes from new) the complete Owners Handbook is in the link below which explains electrical/ignition/battery/switch operation on page 40:

http://archives.jampot.dk/book/Owners_m ... Manual.pdf

a ah edited to show model 8, NOW, the mod 8 has an internal oil tank, not like non unit construction models with separate oil tank pipes etc. So empty sump??? or empty internal oil tank. You need to know which is which and what the empty ? of these results in. Empty sump, that will need the engine to refill upon starting to the correct level again. You wont know when it's topped up to that correct level unless you look for when the oil starts to return to the tank. There's more. So being new to this bike, read the novice instruction book. I say novice as first you need to know these basics. Other wise answers will still have you guessing what we mean. Once you get to know the basics, you can then start work on your bike NOT BEFORE. Books 2 & 3 would be, parts list book so you can say the part you refer to. not the bit that goes on the bit??? etc Also workshop manual, that tells you how to do what you want to do..

Ok thanks for the information we have worked out that it's a 6v positive earth. We have managed to get the lights on but no spark as such yet. On one of the switches on the headlamp it has got H/L and on the other is has got I/E but we have not found an ignition switch as such. Will try and add a pic of the bike/engine but not sure how to add to the message/forum ?

All can be found in the instruction book HL means high and low = main beam and dip lights. I E = ignition and Emergency. Please read instruction book for further explanations. Not doing so could result in you doing expensive damage. Like running the bike switched to emergency. Next question could be why wont my bike start anymore. Answer you've burnt out a very expensive part which you may have trouble finding a replacement of.

We have ordered the manual we won't try and start it till we get all the information thanks for you help

peterd54 wrote:We have ordered the manual we won't try and start it till we get all the information thanks for you help

?????? Did you not notice some one gave a link to archives. Parts list, sales cat, instruction book, workshop manual, Wipac electrics, Amal carbs etc etc. all there.

Hi yes got them we had already ordered one before we found this site