1954 AJS 348cc Model 16MS Project
Registration no. unregistered
Frame no. to be advised
Engine no. 54/16MS 22981

Weighing as much as the 500cc model from which most of them were derived, but considerably less powerful, the typical British '350' of the 1950s was not likely to be anyone's first choice as a fast sports bike. Rather, these honest workaday mounts were chosen for other reasons, chiefly their inherent strength, dependability and economy. Announced in June 1945, AMC's offerings in this important market sector were the Matchless G3L and AJS Model 16, models identical in all essential respects. The pair shared the same 93mm stroke as their 500cc brethren, coupled to a 69mm bore, and could be distinguished by the different magneto position: forward of the cylinder in the AJS, behind it in the Matchless. Housed in a rigid frame with Teledraulic front fork, the rugged overhead-valve engine drove through a four-speed gearbox. Hairpin valve springs were adopted for 1949 and a swinging-arm frame introduced, the latter initially for export only but available in the UK from 1950, machines so-equipped being suffixed 'S'. Testing one of these stalwarts in 1961, Motor Cycling recorded a modest mean top speed of 76mph but found that when toured at a relaxed pace across country, an excellent 86 miles per gallon was achievable.

There are no documents with this 'barn find' AJS, which is offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed.