SPECIAL BREWS

I enjoyed the article on the AMC hybrids and recent mentions of the AJS version. Back in 1967 I bought a brand new AJS hybrid; the only new bike I ever had. I wanted a new Bonnie but the AJ was at a knock-down price, due probably to the model being discontinued. It went well for the first year but about a month out of warranty it seized solid during a bit of spirited riding. This resulted in quick action with the clutch and a two mile push home.

I wondered if I could get it sorted under warranty but didn’t hold much hope. To my surprise I was told I would be sent a new engine if I removed the damaged engine and fit the new one myself, returning the damaged one back to the shop. Could that happen today, I wonder?

I removed the engine and took it back to the shop and received the new engine. I was about to fit it when I saw a reconditioned preunit Bonneville engine in a local bike shop for sale. I thought I could make a nice special so I swapped the new Atlas engine for the Bonnie engine, plus a pound or two. I made some new engine plates from a sheet of alloy (duralumin, I think it was called) and fitted the Bonnie engine into the AJS frame using a Royal Enfield primary chaincase.

It was a very pleasant bike to ride and took me to the TT, where one of these photos was taken. The other two photos are two more specials I built in the 1960s and early 70s. The NorBSA used a wideline frame and A10 engine, and a MaBSA which used an A10 frame and a Matchless G80 engine.

Roy Smith, member 4988

Interesting conversion. Those last AJS 33CSRs are very rare now. Looks good with the Triumph engine, however. Not a conversion you see very often. You certainly know how to build specials!