AJW Flying Fox with JAP 500 OHV engine 1937 rare British vintage motorcycle – UK registration

AJW Flying Fox with JAP 500 OHV engine 1937 rare British vintage motorcycle – UK registration

NOW SOLD

Brokered by TheTimingChest

 

AJW Flying Fox with JAP 500 OHV engine 1937 rare British vintage motorcycle.

  • Located in UK
  • UK registration

“Rare’ is perhaps an over-used word when referring to vintage motorcycles. However, in the case of this AJW Flying Fox, rare is a word that seems appropriate.

AJW Flying Fox motorcycles are rarely seen on the road today. They were produced in small numbers and the sporting models from the 1930’s are highly sought after as they are unusual and very well made.

A little about AJW Motorcycles.

Albert John (Jack) Wheaton, started the company in 1926.  He began by producing big V-twins to rival the Brough Superior marque. Perhaps that’s where the similar “torpedo shaped” fuel tank came from? Much like many other vintage motorcycle manufacturers in the early 1930s, they had turned to sports singles, powered by Rudge Python and latterly J A Prestwich (JAP) engines. They also made utility Villers lightweights.

After WWII, a new AJW company emerged and was owned by Jack Ball. He also turned to JAP before frustrations with engine supply caused the firm to fit imported Italian lightweight power units.

John Wheaton said that by the end of 1930 his Villers-powered two-strokes were selling quite well.  However, it was becoming obvious that they were not going to sell in the quantities he had hoped. The big twins were still selling steadily, but John knew he would have to do more. So he returned to designing a 500cc machine.

Coincidentally, Rudge-Whitworth had decided to offer their very successful engines as proprietary motors under the name ‘The Python’. In 1930, Rudge had made a clean sweep of the IOM Junior TT, along with 1st and 2nd places in that year’s Senior TT race. HeJohn Wheaton decided to build his frame around the Rudge Python 500cc engine. The AJW Flying Fox has a torpedo-shaped fuel tank and full duplex tubular loop frame. The Rudge Python engine had twin-port heads and double exhaust pipes down each side.

However, this AJW Flying Fox has the other engine that John Wheaton supplied. It has the sought-after OHV JAP 500 single. The Flying Fox was one of two models in 1937. The other model was the Red Fox. The Flying fox had a more lavish specification. The Red Fox had the 7″ headlamp rather than the 8″ model.

About this AJW Flying Fox , with a JAP engine

As already stated, this AJW Flying Fox is fitted with a JAP 500cc OHV engine. It is also a beautifully presented, running, machine. It has been in the same ownership since 2012.

It has British Registration papers (V5c) and is recorded as a machine from 1937.

Rare 1930s British vintage antique motorcycle. AJW Flying Fox with JAP 500 OHV engine. Antique British motorcycles for sale. 1930s British sports bikes in UK

AJW Flying Fox with JAP 500 OHV engine

The current owner restored this motorcycle as one of three AJW’s in his collection. As you would imagine, if you have restored three rare motorcycles of one marque, the owner has extensive knowledge.

This AJW Flying Fox runs. It is equipped with a beautiful Miller 8″ headlamp with fluted glass. The unique AJW exhaust pipes, with the flared ends discreetly house silencers. The high side-pipes offer a very sporting look. It is equipped with a pair of Lycett saddles and correctly painted wheel rims.

The fuel tank top has an unusual V-shaped attachment. It is an ingenious rain gutter on the top prevents rain collecting in the rider’s lap.

I believe the original fuel tank colour scheme included chrome. The owner preferred this arrangement.

The engine is in excellent condition externally. The 4-speed Albion gearbox is the correct type. It has the dealer badge attached to the top of the rear number plate holder and a correct tool box with AJW Flying Fox decal.

Unusually, AJW opted for a Bowden fixed jet carburettor. This motorcycle is correctly equipped.

 

Shipping and transportation: Can be arranged.

 

Viewing

By arrangement, through TheTimingChest. Contact us here. 

 

Other motorcycles for sale: TheTimingChest is currently offering a few interesting motorcycles. Our main interest is in pre-war, vintage and veteran motorcycles. Please see the current selection here.

 

 

If you are interested in the AJW motorcycles, please visit a site dedicated to these rare British motorcycles.

SKU: 125-Di005-12-5-*06t - Need Help? Contact Us Leave Feedback

Tags: , ,

Share