AJS and Matchless were built in the AMC factory in London and were known to be nearly identical. The brothers that owned Matchless bought AJS in 1931 and formed Associated Motor Cycles in 1938. AMC also acquired Norton in 1953.
The AJS Model 18 and the Matchless G80 were nearly identical until 1952 except that the magneto was located behind the cylinder on the Matchless and forward on the AJS. The signature chain cover for both badges ran in opposite directions.
AMC brought a swingarm twin shock rear suspension in 1949 that made the bike a much better riding machine.
The 1950 AJS Model 18 used a 498 CC air cooled overhead valve single cylinder motor that made 26 HP. A 4 speed Burman transmission, swing arm/shock rear suspension with telescopic front suspension drum brakes on both ends and a weight of 386 LBS made a very rideable motorcycle.
This particular 1950 AJS Model 18 (VIN# 016117) is in Gastonia, North Carolina and is listed as a 1,243 mile original. There is almost no information in the listing, but the photos are very good. The bike is currently priced at $1,236 with reserve not met
Can somebody give a poor guy a break? I think the shocks are from 1951 or later. The 1950 shocks were called ‘candlestick’ shocks and prone to failure. The later shocks were called ‘jampot’ shocks and offered a big improvement. Can one of you confirm this one way or the other? Thank you.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Wikipedia G80
Sump Magazine
Real Classic
MCS
Classic Motorbikes