AMC PURISTS WILL HAVE SPOTTED THAT THIS very presentable 1957 AJS Model 30 twin is not all that it appears. Take, for instance, the smaller singles model petrol tank, the all-alloy primary chaincase (perhaps from a later Model 31, the 650cc version) and even the two-into-one siamese exhaust, which certainly suits the all-black style of this handsome 600cc ‘Ajay’.
A deeper look reveals other departures from the factory mould, such as the all-black dual seat, Commando Roadster handlebars and the BSA chain guard. However, there is a significant reason for nonstandard parts being fitted to this popular 600cc AJS twin. What follows is an interesting tale of one man’s persistence against very testing and difficult odds!
Classic motorcycle restorer Sandy Bloy has the luxury of an industrial unit, where he enjoys repairing and restoring old British motorcycles. As a friend and Classic Bike Guide reader, Sandy is (fortunately) open to features about the rare and the not-so-rare motorcycles that regularly pass through his hands – either to be restored for future sale or friend’s motorcycles that are fettled and sorted before being returned to the road.
Earlier in the year, I was on a mission to write up a rare Sunbeam competition machine that Sandy had just sympathetically restored. But as we talked ‘Sunbeam’, I became distracted by the lovely AJS M30 featured throughout these pages. It was strapped to Sandy’s workbench and I just couldn’t resist its presence. “What’s that interesting beauty in for?” I asked, nodding towards the
