For sale - 54 AJS 500

[BADGRL]

Hey guys, thought I'd post this incase it was of interest to anyone on here :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=394416883

[BADGRL]

Hey guys/gals,

kindly follow the link below for further details. Best contact is by cell :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=394416883

[98tls]

That is beautiful,a credit to your Grandad.Good luck with the sale,wish i could buy it.

[slofox]

Hey - damn! Pretty cool bike. I had a mate rode one of those down Canterbury in the late 60's...Pity I don't have any money...:(

[pete376403]

My first rideable (as opposed to try-to-get-it-going) bike was the Matchless version -jampots, matchy megas and all.

Good luck with the sale, I'd be in but unfortunately my investments failed to pay the hoped-for dividends. (yeah, Lotto)

[blackdog]

They are only original ONCE.

Put it on ebay and triple your price plus freight in US dollars.

[Edbear]

They are only original ONCE.

Put it on ebay and triple your price plus freight in US dollars.

Might be worth a crack! I've not seen one of this model for sale anywhere lately.

[BADGRL]

hey all, cheers for the heads up re:ebay... the thought did cross my mind hmmmm lol.

I wasn't quite sure what it's worth? but 50 people have added it to their watchlist in less than 24hrs, that's quite impressive! Perhaps going too cheap? :S

[BADGRL]

ok so make that 60 watchers in the first day of sale... will list it on Ebay tomorrow :)

[Paul in NZ]

I think you priced it pretty well. Its nice but not quite 100% stunning which is where the top $$ goes. (thats not mean't to be derogatory - its a really fantastic looking riding bike - just not quite concours quality)

The 500's have been slowish sellers despite being very good bikes. The 600 / 650's have a bit more highway ability and tend to attract a wider following despite their sometimes 'homely' looks. In its favour its a 54 which is the last year of the seperate headlamp / speedo so its one of the ones to go for looks wise.

Its a toughening market out there for everything including old motorcycles but dont be discouraged - its a nice bike and it will sell to a caring owner (I'd buy it if I had spare $$)

ps - dont even mention the leaky chaincase - it would be abnormal if one of those didnt leak.

[BADGRL]

Thank you for the info Paul, I really appreciate it.

It wouldn't take much to reach that 100%, my Grandad rebuilt the entire engine right down to rechroming all the nuts and bolts and it's barely been ridden since. He was an old A-grade mechanic and has got it running to perfection.

I'm considering fixing up the minor glitches but would it be worth my time :S Would it make that much difference to the price at the end of the day?

Haha yeah I've been warned about the chaincases lol, I'm just fussy I hate oil on the garage floor :D

[Paul in NZ]

Its just great the way it is. To get it perfect could cost a small fortune and would make no difference to the riding experience.

If you want to get picky, the tank should be chrome plated with painted panels. Of course, aside from the dents etc the metal gets thin and brittle so finding a tank than can stand being chromed again without falling to bits is a real problem hence most are painted now. Its also got Matchless megaphones fitted so it needs a whole new exhaust - not cheap.

Its great the way it is. Its got history, its tidy enought to be proud of and not so perfect you are scared to ride it.

Its tough times out there for all bike sales and its the middle of winter.

These are stonking bikes and there is a great club for them - someone will want it (I know I do)

[BADGRL]

Damn talking about it makes me want to keep it! lol.

Cheers for the info, I never got around to joining any clubs - I'm only just finding out all the interesting things now.

Haha I still get nervous every time I ride it :S Forever worrying which side the gear lever's on lol.