The Brit
Almost 3 years ago I started this project. It was my first British motorcycle and it’s been quiet the journey. I plan to document it here in a series of posts. Below is what I initial thought at the time when I first started exploring this motorcycle.
First I have to say, I’m very excited to finally own a proper English motorcycle. I picked up a 1954 AJS 18s for next to nothing (£450). The bike is a partial, single owner basket case from the original owner. The bike was stored in a barn from 1964 -> recently present, and now resides in my garage. The previous owner stated that the bike was his fathers, and he stopped riding it in 1964 because he couldn’t get it running right, he thought that problem was the timing gear. It appears everything is here, and this thing is a survivor, with fantastic paint, and even the original tires.
From what I could tell, the engine was seized, though once I got it apart it appeared that the only issue was glue/pitch/seal? that had worked it’s way down from the mating surface between cylinder and crank case. This crap was all over the inside of the engine and when I finally got it all apart I couldn’t find any mechanical damage, just a sticky big end and a set of RSL8’s that need to be replaced.
Anyways, as I work my way through this bike I’ll update this thread with the latest findings and results.
Here’s a quick video I took after I pulled the engine apart
I’m debating whether or not to replace the piston, it’s got some scoring on the lower side, but that’s about it. The rings look brand new as they still have machining marks on them (|/\/\/\/|). I’m thinking that the PO might have replaced the rings at some point, used glue to put the engine back together again, and it ever ran right after that. I also found that the cylinder itself is smooth as silk and likely was never honed after the ring job.
That all said, I’ve come to discover that the problems here are a lot deeper than what I initially thought. Look for more to come soon.