EXHAUSTING AJAY

I own one of Frank’s favourite singles, a late Model 18 AJS. In RC154 Frank mentions fitting the proper silencer, the long fat type, which made it significantly quieter. When I purchased mine, a South African import, some years ago both pipe and silencer were knacked so I bought from Armours a new pipe and the slightly earlier silencer which looks great. The old pipe had its end blocked and had holes down the sides. The new one is straight through. Along with the earlier silencer it is really LOUD. What does Frank suggest to make it a bit more user friendly?

Also, do you have any tips for making a Norton 2ls brake work? I have tried everything: skimmed the drum, fitted three different types and oversize linings and turned them to fit the drum. I fitted the support plate and even made a longer handlebar lever with the short pivot. In my younger days I was a toolmaker and have a nice workshop but somehow I don’t seem to be able to make this brake work like the one I remember in my racing Norvin. Even the sls in the AJS works better. Roy Robertson, member 1958

My first ‘long silencer’ bike was a 1966 AJS 31, which came with Goldie silencers, sounded horrible and was oddly harsh. Chopper of Hamrax (sadly missed) sold me a set of the right ones and they worked very well – and were quiet. When I originally acquired the G80 it had no exhausts at all. Mike Partridge of Walridge Motors made a batch of the correct silencers so I bought one from him. It’s excellent. Original AMC exhausts were as you describe: blanked at the end and with holes or slots (I’ve seen both) to vent the gas into the absorbent material in the silencer. They are best. If you use an original pipe or weld up the end of a pattern item and make your own holes, then use a pattern silencer, you reduce the noise level but will blue the chrome on the silencer pdq. You could check with Walridge Motors to see whether they still have their silencers (if so, tell Mike I want one for my CSR…). Commando 2ls brakes are mysterious. Some work very well indeed, others are poor, as you describe. I don’t know why. Ask Les Emery at Norvil; he will certainly know the answer and the cure! Frank W