AJS Flathead 45

[Kiz]

Hi Guys,
went to a regular Wednesday bike meet last night, this guy pulled up on what he call an AJS 45, he said when the U.S. military pulled out of Britain they left a load of engines so AJS snapped them up and fitted them in their frames, is there any truth in this, because it's the first time i've come across one.

[kevscrivener]

Tall story, Kiz, but there are a fair number of "specials" about with 45 engines. Our friend 45 Brit, who posts on here, runs an Ariel-framed 45 (or a 45-engined Ariel whichever you prefer) and is a knowledgable advocate of such bikes.

Ray Leon (of Leon-Wallace choppers fame) raced a 45-powered Norton in the 60's. There was a pic of it in a Quin a few years ago, and an article remembering Ray who had recently died of cancer.

I do also know of a guy in the 45 Club who built a "Magnum" - 45 bottom end with OHV top, usually Sportster - using AJS barrels and heads. I'll see if I can dig the article out; Patrick might know more about it than me.

[Limey_Dave]

Urban (Plumstead) myth.
AJS was part of AMC from 1938 and up till the war produced 1000cc sidevalve twins in both AJS and Matchless forms.

I remember that "Magnum" it had HD cast in the rocker inspection covers.
Can't think of the blokes name but I think he had a shop and also built Norvins to order.
Think that "Magnum" was a featherbed cafe racer,but young Kev might remember.

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by Limey_Dave

Think that "Magnum" was a featherbed cafe racer,but young Kev might remember.

It was. The bike was featured in an article in the 45Club's magazine; I have it somewhere but it was pretty illegible even in print, not up to "Quin" production standards I'm afraid!

Remember it being a rather handsome beast.

[yobtaf]

Found this OHV 45 "only one in existance" seem to claim it`s a factory job

Vintage motorcycle Restoration, vintage Harley for sale, Indian Motorcycle restoration

[dodgyloner]

Ive heard about the OHV 45 before. According to the story they made three prototypes and worked out that the additional cost in making the top end would bring the 45 up to the same price as the Knuck. So there was no point to developing it further as the 45 was the cheap workhorse of the Harley stable.

The 45 Magnum conversion book is still available from Victory Library - not read it myself but I think it uses 45 bottom end and K barrels and top end.

[kevscrivener]

Here's a pic of a "proper" Magnum, if there's any such thing;



For more info on specials of many descriptions, this site is the bees knees; also very useful for tech advice on most H-D's, as Karl and I can testify!

FLATHEADPOWER.COM-TECH TALK • Index page

Incidentally, according to a book I have, the model DAH ( a development of the original 45 Model D) was built with an OHV motor back in 1932. It was made specifically for hill-climbing.

Here's a piccy;



Note the exposed valve gear, typical of the era.

[hippy]

I saw picture a good few years ago of a 45 that had a Ajay/matchles top end grafted on ie OHV can't remember what the bike was but i think the rolling chasis was Brit maybe A10 or it might of been an Ajay

[the_french_owl]

Paul Weyres, a german road racer, went to H-D in late 29 and bought one to race in his home country, can it be the most beautiful 30's H-D??? Photos made in front of the factory at Juneau Avenue:







And it was most probably the 1st ever dry sump Harley, see oil return line on top of cast alloy oil tank!!!

Patrick

[45Brit]

the Matchless/45 is an urban myth, it may be based in part on AMC assembling 45s from crated parts in the build-up to Overlord.

Matchless supplied 1000cc sidevalve engines to various users before the war, and made a model themselves using it.

but the engine mounts are quite different, and the Matchless/AJS rigid frame of the period will not accept the 45 engine without modification. Like most British frames, the engine area is too short.