1961 AJS 7R

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: 1774
Engine No: None
cc: 350
MOT Expiry Date: N/A

The driving force behind the 7R was Jock West, then the AMC sales director who championed the concept of an over the counter 350cc racing machine at boardroom level and would later support the development of the Matchless G50 derived from the 7R. Once the project was given the go ahead the design of the engine fell to the company's chief designer Philip West. First seen by the public at Brands Hatch on the 14th March 1948, ridden by Jock West, the new model employed a single cylinder, single over head cam engine that made extensive use of magnesium castings in it's construction, assisting in keeping the 7R's weight to a minimum and, thanks to the gold paint employed to protect the castings, making it instantly recognisable. The frame was similar in design to that employed by the 500cc "Porcupine" and was equipped with AMC's own "Teledraulic" forks and pivoted fork rear suspension controlled by a pair of "Candlestick" suspension units. Like its major rival from Bracebridge Street, the 7R benefited from the experience gained with each passing season with refinements being incorporated into the following year's model. The models 29bhp rose steadily over its production life with the final models producing in the region of 39bhp. The rear suspension units changed to "Jampots" for the 1951 season, these giving way to Girling units in 1957, a twin leading shoe front brake was adopted for 1953 and the rim sizes went from a 21/20 inch combination to a pair of 19 inch items. For the 1956 season the engine dimensions changed to 75.5 x 78mm bore and stroke that it would retain until AMC ceased production of the machine in 1962. Of equal importance in aiding the 7R to maintain its position at the front of the field was the attention paid to reducing the frontal area and consequently improving the machines overall performance. A side effect of the slimming down of the fuel and oil tanks and the reduction in the overall height of 7R was that it ended up as being one of the most attractive motorcycles ever produced.
The example offered, dating from 1961, was purchased by the well known road racer Norman Francis in 1972 from Whittakers of Blackpool for £230 and raced by him in classic events until his death in 1992. Presented in good condition it deviates from the standard specification in having an 18 inch rear rim and a PAL magneto. The original crankcases have been replaced by a new set but are included with the machine thus confirming the engine number as is the sales invoice from Whittakers.