Lot #34 - 1949 AJS 350CC 7R - Raced by Frank Sans of Melbourne in period (Current ownership for 48 years)
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Auction House:Donington Auctions
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Sale Name:Collectors' Motorcycles, Cars & Horse Drawn Carriages - Featuring the Private Museum of Racing Driver Bryan Thomson
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Sale Date:20 Jun 2021 ~ 2pm (AEST)
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Lot #:34
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Lot Description:1949 AJS 350CC 7R - Raced by Frank Sans of Melbourne in period (Current ownership for 48 years)
Classic 350cc racer Offered by the family of the Late Robert McLennan. 48 years of current ownership. -
Notes:AJS introduced an overhead camshaft racer in 1927 and this led to their first racer, the R7, in 1930. But although the R7 proved popular with privateers, it never achieved the success of its rivals from Velocette and Norton. The Collier brothers (owners of Matchless) acquired the struggling AJS concern in 1931 and in 1938 AJS became part of the Colliers group, Associated Motorcycles. AJS and Matchless still continued as separate entities and in 1948 AJS offered a new 350cc racer for the private customer. This was the 7R, and it shared little with the pre-war R7. The AJS 7R was so successful it became known as "the Boy Racer" and remained in production for nearly 15 years. A new 74x81mm 350cc engine powered the 7R. Noted for its clean lines and robustness, a Weller-tensioned chain drove the single overhead camshaft and to keep weight to a minimum, magnesium castings featured prominently. These were finished in a distinctive gold-coloured, corrosion-inhibiting paint. The earliest examples produced 29 horsepower at 6,800 rpm on low octane "pool" petrol. The double-cradle welded steel frame, with a vertical brace tube from the top of the gearbox to the large diameter top spine frame tube, was largely a copy of the works E90 Porcupine. The suspension included an AMC teledraulic fork and a pair of "Candlestick" oil-damped shock absorbers, while the magnesium brakes featured conical hubs and a unique twin-leading shoe mechanism. 21 and 20-inch steel rims were standard, but alloy rims were an option. Designed by AMC chief designer Philip Walker, AMC sales director Jock West also influenced its creation and West provided the 7R its first outing at Brands Hatch on 14 March 1948. Although there were few modifications to the 7R over the first few years, from 1953 AJS continually updated the 7R, gradually increasing the power to nearly 40 horsepower by the end of the decade. Only around 700 AJS 7Rs were built and to many they are the quintessential British racing motorcycle. The earliest known history of this AJS 7R is that it was owned and raced during the 1950s by Frank lang="EN-GB"Sans. Frank fitted a "Dustbin" fairing, welding brackets to the frame which are still there. After Robert and his son David McLennan restored and re-assembled the 7R, it was shown at a Classic Motorcycle Club Show in 1973 at the Caulfield Town Hall. Here Frank recognised the bike from these brackets. The bike was then ridden at the Classic Machines Race in the Stars of Tomorrow meeting at Winton in 1974, and demonstrated and raced in historic racing during the 1970s and 1980s with the number 62. The 7R was then retired to preserve its original condition. This 7R is a 1949 model with a 1951 engine (51/7R/574), and was rescued, restored and rebuilt from boxes of parts. It has the original magnesium crankcases, timing cases and rocker box. The gearbox is the period-correct magnesium cased Burman G47/A/49 with solid cut Ferodo clutch friction plates. The magneto is the original Lucas racing model with curved casing at the drive end for the shaped sealing ring that sits against the timing case. The compression ratio is 10.5 to1, the carburettor a 10GP Amal racing type with the correct heat shield spacer, and is jetted to run on current 98 Octane petrol with upper cylinder lubricant added. The frame is the original wide twin downtube loop type and the front fork the period AMC "Teledraulic", with later rubber spring gaiters fitted. The large TT aluminium fuel tank sits over the frame spine tube, and is retained by two through bolts with rubber bushes, while the curved aluminium oil tank is the 1948 to 1950 wrap-around design. The wheel hubs and brake back plates are magnesium and the wheels the 1953 19-inch type fitted with Borrani rims to accommodate a better selection of racing tyres. The bike has a fibreglass seat covered in black leather, and the mudguards are aluminium. In 2019 the original 1949 7R rear suspension units were rebuilt with new parts obtained from AMC Spares in England. This included new seals, O-rings, fibre washers, oil caps, Clevis mount rubbers and sleeves. At the last parade of the bike some years ago now, the engine started easily and ran strongly with everything working correctly. The bike has been stored in a clean dry display, cleaned regularly and the engine pulled back on compression so both valves were closed. Before the next run a full and thorough service and preparation is recommended so as to continue the preservation of this special machine. Some original parts are supplied with the bike, along with spec sheets and engine maintenance details. Information with the 7R. A brief history sheet. A package of photos of the bike from the 1950s on. An original AJS 1949 Models sales brochure. A reprint of the AJS 7R Parts Book for 1949 and 1950. A copy of an AJS 1949 Models sales leaflet. A copy of the 1949 ; 1950 Factory Spec sheet. A copy of Jack Emmotts renowned 7R engine manual. Old Bike Australia magazine N0.68 with Winton racetrack article showing this 7R.
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Estimate:A$35,000 - 45,000
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Realised Price:
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Category:Automobiles & Accessories
This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.
