This is the story of the 1959 AJS Typhoon.

 

My uncle was coming home from work one day in 1970, driving down the alley to the rear garage.  He and my aunt lived in Lawndale, a suburb of Los Angeles at the time.  He saw some young men clustered around the rear axle of a pickup truck.  Being a mechanic and always helpful, he parked then walked down to see if he could help them with some technical insight.  When he arrived at the scene, he was shocked to find the kids attempting to use the truck as a press to force the crank wheels on to the main pin.  They were not successful in getting the wheels on, but managed to bend one of the wheels.  After some discussion, my uncle made them an offer that would get them a running dirt bike and himself a piece of motorcycling history, a very rare AJS Typhoon.  As he had two years earlier bought a Matchless G80, he was in no rush to get the Typhoon going.  He found another crank wheel and a knowledgeable man to assemble the lower end after about 10 years looking.  That is where the project sat until last year. 

 

 

Last year, I asked my uncle to sell me the Matchless at whatever price he wanted.  It is in very good condition, low miles and not used frequently.  He declined to let the Matchless go, but offered the AJay to me for free.  Having Triumphs and BSAs I was fairly ignorant of Matchless and AJS marques, more especially, completely ignorant of the AJS Typhoons.  Needless to say, I am thrilled with the prospect of having one suitable to trail ride sometime this year.  I will then continue to amass the parts to make a street legal machine.  God willing, deep pockets and much patience will get me there eventually.

 

 

The poor quality photos are the way received the kit.  The other photo was taken when I was attempting to verify the assembly and fit of the exhaust system, which was NOT successful.  At least the pipe is close enough for the dirt... 

 

Let's see your photos of your piles now Rick!   (Not a chance! I feel ashamed to call your efforts a basketcase...Now my bike is a real ..RM.)