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Flying Fox AJW motorcycle with JAP 500 OHV engine, 1937
- Located in UK
- Original UK registration
- Connection with the Wheaton family
- Original mudguards
- Leather covered tool box
- Correct Albion 4-speed gearbox
AJW 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 motorcycle 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 available in 1937. They both had the 500cc OHV JAP single cylinder engine. 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 on this AJW motorcycle.
About this AJW motorcycle with a JAP engine
As already stated, this Flying Fox AJW motorcycle 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.
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.
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 single Terry’s saddle and has 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 where you see black. 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 front number plate and has a leather-fronted tool box .
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.