Beschreibung:

After victory in the 1920 Isle of Man Junior TT, AJS’s new overhead-valve 350 racer scored a memorable double the following year, Tom Sheard winning the Junior race and Howard Davies the Senior, the first time such a feat had been achieved on a 350. The production version made its debut in November 1922, delighting clubmen everywhere with its ‘racer on the road’ performance. A right-first-time design destined to achieve countless successes in the hands of privateers, the overhead-valve 350 AJS - latterly known as the ‘Big Port’ - changed only in detail before being superseded by a much-revised M6 model for 1929. This example of one of the Vintage era’s most sought-after sports motorcycles was acquired by its late owner, Archie King, in June 1976. It should be noted that the accompanying old-style logbook (issued 31st March 1927) records that the registration mark ‘RP 4055’ was originally assigned to a 2¾hp AJS with frame and engine numbers ‘H73606’, which are those of a Model H4 sidevalve. The change to the current frame and engine is recorded and dated 11th March 1970, when the machine was registered to the immediately preceding owner, Henry Gurr. The accompanying Swansea V5C document for ‘RP 4055’ correctly records this machine’s current frame and engine numbers: ‘H100812’ and ‘6100524’ respectively. Restored by Mr King, the ‘Big Port’ was used on the Banbury and Windsor Runs and last ridden several years ago. The machine was started in July 2007, demonstrating good compression, but will nevertheless require re-commissioning and the customary safety checks before returning to the road.