Market Position:
Essential technical documentation for owners and enthusiasts of AJS Singles motorcycles from the post-war era, covering a significant production span. Positions itself as an indispensable tool for maintaining these classic British motorcycles.
Target Audience:
AJS motorcycle owners, mechanics, restorers, and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts seeking detailed technical information for maintenance, repair, and optimal performance.
Key Features:
Detailed index, comprehensive coverage of engine, gearbox, electrical, and chassis systems, specific sections for Trials and Scrambles models, troubleshooting guides, tuning advice, and technical data tables. Emphasizes parity with workshop manuals used by dealerships.
Content Breadth:
Covers a broad spectrum of motorcycle systems, from the internal combustion engine and drivetrain to electricals, chassis, and suspension, making it a comprehensive resource.
Engine:
Engine overhaul, dismantling, reassembly, decarbonising, compression checking, camshaft details, piston removal, big-end checking, crankcase procedures, oil system, lubrication, valve timing, valve grinding, oil filters, oil pump.
Transmission:
Gearbox (AMC type, B.52 type, CP type), clutch (AMC, CP type), chaincase, foot-change assembly, kick-starter, gear selection, clutch adjustment, clutch slip, clutch rattle, noisy gear engagement.
Brakes:
Brake adjustment (shoes), brake drum arrangement, ineffective brakes, trials model brakes.
Electrical System:
A.V.C. regulator and cut-out unit, dynamo, ammeter testing, battery, magneto, ignition system, ignition timing (checking, setting), sparking plugs, headlamps (pre-focus type), wiring diagrams (1945-50, 1952-53, 1954-57), positive-earth system conversion.
Chassis And Bodywork:
Frame, forks (assembly, removing, springs), steering-head adjustment, steering faults, steering damper fitting, rear suspension (dismantling, springs), wheel bearings (front, rear), quick detachable wheel, wheel hub arrangement.
Suspension And Wheels:
Front and rear wheel bearings, fork assembly, fork springs, rear suspension dismantling and springs, steering head adjustments, and wheel hub arrangements are all covered.
Fuel And Exhaust:
Carburettor tuning and adjustment, fuel tank considerations, exhaust pipe length (for Scrambles models), and silencer noise are addressed.
Electrical Components:
Covers dynamo, regulator, cut-out unit, magneto, ammeter, battery, and lighting systems, including wiring diagrams for different production years.
Maintenance:
Periodic maintenance, routine maintenance table, servicing engine, carbon removal, decarbonising, lubricating cable, cleaning spark plugs, oil filter cleaning/replacement, chain lubrication, periodic maintenance for Trials and Scrambles models.
Diagnostics And Troubleshooting:
Fault location, engine noises (big-end rattle, piston slap, timing gear noise, rocker box noise), clutch rattle, noisy gear selection, faulty gear selection, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, ineffective brakes, steering faults, fork faults.
Repair And Overhaul:
Engine overhaul, connecting-rod renewing, camshaft bushes refitting, main bearings removal, tappet-guide removal, rocker box dismantling/refitting, crankcase separation/assembly, flywheel removal/replacement, gearbox dismantling/reassembly, clutch dismantling/reassembly, fork assembly removal, valve guide servicing, valve spring removal, cylinder-head overhaul, carburetter adjustment/cleaning.
Tuning And Modification:
Covers tuning for competition use (Scrambles, Trials), including specific modifications like high-compression pistons and racing cams.
Component Replacement:
Detailed instructions for renewing components like connecting rods, replacing pistons, and refitting camshaft bushes.
Depth:
Comprehensive (covering detailed dismantling, overhaul, repair, and tuning for both standard and competition variants).
Specific Procedures:
Detailed step-by-step instructions for dismantling, inspecting, repairing, and reassembling major mechanical components like the engine, gearbox, and clutch. Includes precise adjustment procedures for various systems.
Competition Models:
Specific tuning and maintenance details are provided for Trials and Scrambles models, indicating a higher level of technical detail for these variants.
Engine Types:
Covers both 350cc and 500cc AJS Singles models. Specific details on alloy cylinder heads, overhead valve engines, and different engine designs as they evolved.
Tuning And Performance Enhancements:
Includes information on increasing compression ratio, fitting special camshafts, racing modifications, tuning for Scrambles models, and improving petrol consumption.
Compression Ratio Management:
Guidance on checking compression ratio, increasing it for performance (especially for Scrambles models), and measuring it accurately.
Ignition Timing Adjustments:
Detailed instructions on checking and setting ignition timing, crucial for engine performance and reliability.
Carburetter Types:
Details on Monobloc carburettor (adjustment, cleaning), T.T. type carburetter, and carburetters for Scrambles models. Includes throttle-slide markings and slow-running adjustment.
Carburettor Tuning:
Specific tuning guidance for carburetters to optimize performance and economy, including slow-running adjustments.
Lubrication System:
Comprehensive coverage of the lubrication system, including oil filters (fabric, magnetic), oil pump, oil pump plunger modifications, oil consumption, oil leaks, and cylinder-wall feed.
Key Engine Parts:
Covers specific components like the piston (wire-wound, high-compression), connecting-rod, big-end, crankshaft, camshafts (including special racing cams), flywheels, and valve train components (rockers, guides, springs).
Valve Train Details:
Specific procedures for valve grinding, tappet adjustment, valve guide servicing and removal, and valve spring removal and wear.
Carburettor Specifics:
In-depth guidance on Monobloc carburetters, including their operation, adjustment, and maintenance. Also covers older T.T. types.
Gearbox Variants:
Details specific to AMC type, B.52 type, and CP type gearboxes, including their construction, dismantling, reassembly, and common issues like faulty gear selection and noisy engagement. Also covers Trials model gearboxes.
Gearbox Features:
Details on kick-starter mechanisms, foot-change assemblies, and specific issues related to gear engagement and selection for different gearbox types.
Transmission Faults:
Addresses specific gearbox problems such as oil leakage in the B.52 type and noisy engagement in the CP type.
Clutch Details:
Information on A.M.C. and C.P. type clutches, including adjustment, dismantling, reassembly, slip clutches, clutch cable lubrication, and troubleshooting clutch rattle. Covers clutch shock absorbers.
Chain Drives:
Guidance on front and rear chain adjustment, lubrication of the rear chain, and dynamo chain adjustment.
Periodic Maintenance:
Features a 'Routine Maintenance Table' and 'Periodic Maintenance' sections, detailing regular checks and lubrication required to keep the motorcycle in optimal condition. Specific intervals would be detailed within these sections.
Engine Servicing:
Includes detailed sections on engine servicing, including decarbonising and general overhaul procedures.
Recommended Lubricants:
Includes a section on 'Lubricants, recommended', which is crucial for maintaining the engine, gearbox, and other moving parts with the correct viscosity and type of oil for the era.
Oil Capacities:
While specific capacities are not listed in the provided index, manuals of this depth typically contain oil capacity figures for the engine, gearbox, and other lubricated systems.
Common Faults:
Addresses common problems such as engine noises (rattle, slap, timing gear noise), clutch issues (rattle, slip), gear selection problems, oil leaks, and ineffective brakes. The 'Fault Location' section is dedicated to diagnosing these issues.
Chassis And Handling Issues:
Troubleshooting for steering faults, fork faults, and rear suspension issues, including adjustments for steering head bearings and fork springs.
Electrical System Faults:
Troubleshooting for the A.V.C. regulator/cut-out unit, dynamo output, and ignition system faults. Also covers sparking plug selection.
Performance Related Issues:
Addresses issues affecting performance such as excessive petrol consumption, ineffective brakes, and tuning challenges for different models.
Engine Tuning:
Provides guidance on tuning the engine for performance, including adjustments to the carburetter, ignition timing, compression ratios, and specific tuning advice for Scrambles and Trials models.