When AJS were building new 350 singles in the 1950s, it was commonplace to take 'em off-road and get 'em muddy most weekends. That's what Tony Stacey still does with his...

AJS and Matchless single-cylinder motorcycles were extremely successful in the late 1940s and 50s in trials and scrambles. The wartime bikes which had proved so successful as DR machines were given a minor makeover in 1946 to produce the Competition range. The frame was modified to change the head angle and trail and ground clearance was increased to 6.5-inches.

The silencer was kicked up at the rear and tucked in to the side, and a folding kickstart was supplied to stop the standard item spearing an unwary rider in the leg. The gearing was lowered, stronger wheel spokes were used and the AJS 16MC would have worn alloy mudguards and trials tyres. The competition bikes cost £5 more than their road-going stablemates.

AMC's works team did brilliantly well over the next few years, using bikes like these as the basis for wins in the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1947, 48 and 49, and the ISDT in 1948. For 1950 the competition models gained an alloy cylinder barrel with iron liner and alloy cylinder head, a new clutch and a slimmer petrol tank.

Development continued (as did the wins for the works team and privateers), but Tony Stacey's AJS is one of the last rigid models built before AMC switched over to swinging arm suspension. He bought it some 20 years ago from a friend who was using it for trials. It was in 'off-road trim' which translates to being: 'a bit battered about!'

Over the years Tony had tidied it up with new mudguards, a seat cover, the odd touch-up of paint 'and any bits that needed fettling as the years went by.' It has needed replacement wheel bearings, cables, piston rings, plug leads and so on - and last year the magneto failed so was given an overhaul. That was done by Moathouse Magnetos (01327 811671), and Tony also recommends Russell Motors for general spares, and Burlen Fuel systems - he also recently fitted a new Monobloc carb. Not that the Ajay has needed very much attention apart from that…

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The Arbuthnot Vintage Trial takes place on September 23rd 2007 and starts at the Barford Inn at Barford St Martin near Salisbury. Info from 01725 511131

There's more real life reports about AJS and Matchless 350s (including the AJS 16MS, long-stroke G3LCS, 1937 AJS Model 26, G3LS, 16M, and WD G3L versions), plus an historical timeline of the models' development in the April 2007 issue of RealClassic magazine - available to buy here soon...