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The English company A.J. Stevens & Co. Ltd manufactured cars and motorcycles under the name of ‘AJS’ from 1909 to 1931. Even after 1931, the name continued to be used by some of the largest motorcycle manufacturers of the era including Matchless, Norton-Villas, and Associated Motorcycles on four-stroke motorcycles. Currently, the name is used on some small-capacity roadster and cruiser bikes.

The first model of the company was a two-speed 298cc motorcycle which competed for the Isle of Man TT race as well. As time passed, they started experimenting with more powerful bikes and launched their 350, 500, 800, and even a 1000cc motorcycle. All of these competed in the Isle of Man TT races at different points and were widely appreciated. While motorcycles were its main point of strength, AJS also tried its luck with cars, omnibuses, and coaches. The company designed a few experimental cars in 1923 and was into mass car production by 1929. More than 3000 cars and omnibuses were released until 1931 which is when the company was sold off.

AJS motorcycles were expensive to build and slow to sell due to which the company faced a lot of financial trouble and went bankrupt in 1931. This is when Matchless and Crossley Motors took over. These companies continued production of both cars and motorcycles under the name of AJS and the Stevens brothers were out of business. A large number of motorbikes, which are very well-known across the world even today were manufactured during this period.

Interesting Facts About AJS Motorcycles

• Under the administration of the Stevens brothers, AJS motorcycles made 117 world records in different categories.
• The AJS 350cc won the first, second, third, fourth and sixth place in the Junior 1914 Isle of Man TT Race.
• In 1921, Howard R Davies won the 500cc Senior TT Race on the same AJS 350cc motorbike. This was the first time a 350cc motorbike had won the 500cc category.
• The R7 350 OHC won 8 of the 9 Grand Prix and set a number of world records. One of these included doing 1 hour at an average of 104.5mph and 2 hours at an average of 99.5mph.