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Today in Motorcycle History

Ajax Motorcycles

Ajax-1923-MhM.jpg
Ajax 1923 Lady's Motorcycle

Displayed at Moretonhampstead Museum, Devon

A Brief History of the Marque

Manufactured in 1923 and 1924

Built by Ajax Motor Manufacturers of Coventry these lightweight motorcycles were powered by Villiers 147cc, 247cc and 269cc two-strokes, and Blackburne 346cc sidevalve engines.

The firm is also listed as Ajax Motor Manufacturing, Arthur St. Birmingham (1), and the note goes on to say that the firm built only an open-frame 147cc "Lady's Model". This is incorrect; they also built models with conventional frames.

Ajax-branded motorcycles were also sold in Italy in the mid 1930s with AJS engines, and in Belgium in the early post-war years using engines from Sachs and NSU. See Disambiguation

The Olympia Show 1922

AJAX. (Stand 167.)

Miniature Two-speed Model.

1½ H.P. Model.

55x62 mm. (147 c.c); single cyl. two-stroke; petroil lubrication; Amac carb.; flywheel mag.; 2-sp. gear; no clutch or kick-starter; chain and belt drive; 26 x 1¾in. tyres. Price £26 5s.

Ajax Motor Manufacturers, Ltd., Arthur Street, Birmingham.

A newcomer to the motor cycle world, the Ajax Junior is one of the cheapest lightweights in the Show. The makers claim that it is in no sense a cycle, but a motor cycle; we should say that it is a step between the two, for the tyres fitted are not much larger than those used on pedal cycles. Fitted with a simple type of spring fork, the Ajax Junior is, however, a machine which will appeal to those who require a two-speed miniature to supplant the pedal cycle.

2½ H.P. Model.

70x70 mm. (269 c.c); single cyl. two-stroke; drip feed lubrication; Amac carb.; flywheel mag.; 2-sp. gear; clutch and kick-starter; chain-cum-belt drive; 26x2¼in. tyres. Price £47 10s.

Following conventional lines, with a sloping top tube, the larger two-stroke model employs a Saxon fork and other well-known components. A similar model, but having a 348 c.c. Blackburne engine and Maplestone fork, is shown with two-speed gear, clutch and kick-starter at £62. For an extra £3, a three-speed gear can be fitted.

Olympia Show, November 1922
The Motor Cycle, November 30th, 1922. Page 823

Notes. 1. Moretonhamstead Motor Museum.

Sources: Tragatsch p71, Henshaw, et al.


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