The AJS Model 20 was a British
motorcycle
A motorcycle (motorbike, bike; uni (if one-wheeled); trike (if three-wheeled); quad (if four-wheeled)) is a lightweight private 1-to-2 passenger personal motor vehicle Steering, steered by a Motorcycle handlebar, handlebar from a saddle-style ...
made by
Associated Motorcycles at the former
Matchless
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models were produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc Four-stroke cy ...
works in
Plumstead
Plumstead is an area in southeast London, within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, England. It is located east of Woolwich.
History
Plumstead has been settled since ancient times, and London's earliest timber structure has been found here. ...
,
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
. The Model 20 was finally discontinued when the 646 cc
AJS Model 31
The AJS Model 31 was a British motorcycle made by Associated Motor Cycles at the former Matchless works in Plumstead, London. Developed in 1958 specifically to capture the potentially lucrative US market, the last Model 31 was produced in 1966. ...
replaced it in the autumn of 1958.
Development
The AJS Model 20 and corresponding
Matchless G9 were launched at the post war
Earl's Court
Earl's Court is a district of Kensington in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London, bordering the rail tracks of the West London line and District line that separate it from the ancient borough of Fulham to the west, the ...
motorcycle show in late 1948. Initially for export to the US, it was not until the late summer of 1949 that the first examples reached the home market. The styling was modern and the dual seat, ''megaphone'' silencers and bright chrome finish justified the name of ''Spring Twin''. The rest of the cycle parts were standard AMC, with the engine being housed in a pivoted fork frame with telescopic front forks. The basic design changed little over the course of the next few years, the most significant change being made in 1952 when a new
Burman
Burman is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
*Anneli Burman (born 1963), Swedish curler
*Barney Burman, American make-up artist
*Barry Burman (1943–2001), English figurative artist
*Ben Lucien Burman (1896–1984), American aut ...
gearbox was adopted.
In 1951, the rear suspension was upgraded to the ''Jampot'' unit, derided for its shape in the 28 September issue of the
''Motor Cycle'' magazine. In the same year minor changes included a new Lucas horn-push on the handlebar and a medallion badge in place of the previously used transfer. Front fork shuttle damping was also replaced with rod and damper-type.
Progressively developed, the Model 20's twin-cylinder engine underwent a number of capacity increases, finally being discontinued when the 646cc
AJS Model 31
The AJS Model 31 was a British motorcycle made by Associated Motor Cycles at the former Matchless works in Plumstead, London. Developed in 1958 specifically to capture the potentially lucrative US market, the last Model 31 was produced in 1966. ...
replaced it in the autumn of 1958.
See also
*
List of motorcycles of the 1940s
This a listing of motorcycles of the 1940s, including those on Sales, sale, introduced, or otherwise relevant in this period.
Motorcycle
*Acme motorcycle (1939–49)
*AJS 18
*AJS 7R
*AJS Model 16
*AJS Model 20
*AJS Porcupine
*Ariel Red Hunter
...
*
List of motorcycles of the 1950s
This a listing of motorcycles of the 1950s, including those on sale, introduced, or otherwise relevant in this period.
* AJS 18 (1949–1963)
References
{{reflist
External links
Picture of AJS Model 20
Model 20
Motorcycles introduced in the 1940s