Restored 1956 AJS 500cc Scrambler from Toolbox Lifestyle…
AJS was founded all the way back in 1909 by the Stevens brothers of Wolverhampton, England, as A.J. Stevens & Co. Ltd (AJS). The company’s first motorcycle appeared in 1910, featuring a 298cc side-valve engine, and Albert John “Jack” Stevens rode the machine to a 16th place finish in the Junior class of 1911 Isle of Man TT.
Over the years, AJS would earn well over 100 motorcycling world records, establish a reputation in both road and off-road racing, and become part of AMC and Norton-Villiers. The AJS Model 18 was a 500cc single-cylinder machine produced alongside the closely-related Matchless G80 at the AMC London factory from 1945-1966. It would be one of the last of the great British big singles, though the design had roots all the way back to the 1930s.
According to AJS expert Joe Tinley of UK-based father and son workshop Toolbox Lifestyle, when the new 1956 AJS motocross models were announced at the annual Earls Court motorcycle show, the Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) factory brochure stated the following:
“In designing the new Moto-cross models every effort has been made to take full advantage of the invaluable experience gained by actual participation in innumerable International events… Special attention has been paid to the question of suspension and steering in order that full advantage may be taken of the high maximum power and colossal acceleration provided by the new short stroke racing-type engine.”
Motorcycle Classics calls the 1956 AJS 18CS a “street-made dirt bike” — an AMC Competition model that was much hotter than the standard road-going Model 18.
“When we compare technical details from a 1955 Model 18 and a Model 18CS we see that the Competition model delivered 30 hp, almost 6 hp more than the Model 18. The CS was also much lighter; it had a smaller petrol tank and tipped the scales at 146 kg, considerably less than the 160 kg of the standard Model 18.” –Yesterdays Vintage Motorcycles
Joe and his father, John — aka “Papa” or “Parts Man” — build, restore, and customize vintage motorcycles full-time…and Joe races whenever they can.
“We sell what we can’t keep, and keep what we can’t bear to sell.”
Though the father and son team work on many different models and marques, they specialize in Matchless and AJS machines; in fact, they have a large stock of parts to help put these bikes back on the road for new owners to enjoy. Joe, who can be found “scrambling the hell out of classic bikes” on the weekend, has a soft spot for this particular model.
“The 1956 AJS 18CS 500cc is one of the best looking Competition AJS to be produced by the AMC factory. These bikes are seriously fun to ride on the road but were originally supplied in the UK as off road Scrambles models but in the US, were this bike spent most of its life, they were sold for Desert Racing.”
According to Joe, the 1956 Competition models were fitted with a strengthened frame, new short stroke competition engine with integral pushrod tunnel in the cylinder, light alloy mudguards, small capacity competition petrol tank, forged steel footrests, competition magneto, and a new for ’56 Amal monoblock carburetor. For racers, the bike could be fitted with quickly detachable electric lights.
This 18CS arrived at the Toolbox Lifestyle workshop as a partially-restored rolling chassis, but with an incorrect gearbox and engine plates and missing mudguards, primary cases, toolbox, and saddle. However, the upside was that the engine had been rebuilt by Ken De-Groome, a well-known AMC engine builder and tuner.
Joe details the original engine specification as follows:
“OHV single cylinder of 497cc (bore 86 mm, stroke 85.5 mm). Special features are twin camshafts, racing cams. Duralumn pushrods, racing hairpin valve springs. The crankshaft assembly comprises steel flywheels, high-tensile steel connecting rod, and large diameter crank pin and caged roller big end. A high compression racing piston is fitted. The cylinder head is a light-alloy casting with an iron liner. Lubrication is by dry sump with direct feed to the valve gear and the big-end bearings.”
With the exception of the engine, the rest of the bike was dismantled and all parts checked to make sure they were correct and serviceable. Joe and John decided to restore the painted parts in a gorgeous Matchless Mediterranean Blue. The result is a truly stunning bike which has received much praise.
Joe says the big British single is a hoot to ride.
“One of my favourite bikes is an AJS / Matchless 500cc single competition bike, known as a thumper. They just have bags of torque, and in my opinion are just more fun than a twin like a Triumph, which is most people’s preference.”
Bravo to this father and son duo for putting this classic British thumper back on the road…and maybe in the dirt. Below is a little of our interview with Joe about the build, and you can follow this father-son workshop on Instagram at @toolboxlifestyle.
AJS 18CS Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
We’re a father and son team. I stated Toolbox as an instagram page while I was traveling to share our collection, my racing, and anything with classic bikes. When my daughter was born 2022 I took the leap to try and make it as a full-time business to be more flexible and be around for my kids.
I’ve been riding bikes since I was 4 year old. We have a small workshop that I do most of the work from, my dad has his garage, and we rent a unit on a farm for all the parts and bikes for sale plus our own collection.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride the restored bike?
I much prefer riding classic bikes. You can can be doing 50mph but feels like your doing 70/100. One of my favourite bikes is an AJS / Matchless 500cc single competition bike, known as a thumper. They just have bags of torque, and in my opinion are just more fun than a twin like a Triumph, which is most people’s preference.
• Was there anything done during this project that you are particularly proud of?
Not necessary proud. We specialize in AJS and Matchless motorcycles but were able to source or have a large stock of parts to be able to put these bikes back on the road and for the next owner to enjoy.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Me for being me!! Ha. I guess Steve Surby at AMC Classic Spares. Without him getting parts made and his knowledge I wouldn’t be able to do my part and what I love.
1956 AJS 18CS: More Photos
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Woohoo! I just recommissioned a ‘57 18CS as well! It looked nowhere near as nice as this beauty but I can testify they are as much fun to work on as they are to ride.
Props to these gent, brilliant work!
Nicely done!
I know the guy who started this build a well known name in the original desert sled community, he had already done most of this build, and painted it in Mediterranean blue, I was going to buy it off him when he sold it but Joe beat me to it, when I looked at it he had had the engine and gearbox re built, the correct seat recovered, he’d rebuilt the forks and rear jampots, had both the wheels rebuilt and was all sitting there in a rolling chassis. What was trick was that it had a later AMC gearbox fitted which was a mod the desert guys used to do, and to get it to work the gearbox had to be refitted with trick plates so that it didn’t snag the rear swing arm … it looks like this has been removed. I’m just looking at the photos I took when I viewed it and he had the same bars fitted to it now. And the down pipe of the exhaust … it also came with mudguards trick desert mod left side fitted oil tank and a trick air filter, again both of these original desert mods seem to have been removed … so to say this bike has been built by these guys is somewhat of an untruth. All that needed to finish it when I looked at it was … the mag needed rebuilding, the carb needed rebuilding and the primary and clutch needed to be fitted. … oh and a speedo if you were that way inclined. The bike when I viewed it was 80 percent complete. My only regret not buying it … …… as it was an easy finish … and a shame some of those original desert mods look to have been removed.