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1959 AJS Model 16

1959 AJS MODEL 16 BACKGROUND
The Model 16 was AJS’s middleweight 350 single. They were rugged, well-designed and fast for their era and class. Since AMC owned both companies, both AJS and Matchless had nearly identical bikes. Matchless called theirs the G3 and besides styling, the only mechanical difference between the two was that AJS mounted their magneto in front of the cylinder, and Matchless mounted theirs behind. However, by this time, they had eliminated the bulky magnetos in favor of points and a coil.


1959 AJS Model 16 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine type

Displacement

Bore & Stroke

Compression ratio

Fuel system

Ignition system

Engine output

Clutch

Gearbox

Wheelbase

Dry weight

Air-cooled OHV single

347cc / 21.17ci

69mm X 93mm / 2.7″ X 3.7″

6.5:1

Amal carburetor

Lucas Magneto

18hp @ 5750rpm

Multi-plate, wet

4-speed, right-foot shifting

56.0″ / 1422mm

375 lbs / 170kg

SPECIAL THANKS
Our heartfelt thanks go out to MidAmerica Auctions whose pictures appear on this page. They were THE classic motorcycle auction company for years, until they sold to Mecum Auctions in 2014. Thank you MidAmerica for creating the huge auction platform that your old Las Vegas auction has become, and thanks for the great pictures of this 1959 AJS Model 16M.

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