A J Stevens & Co (AJS), was founded by Harry, George, Jack and Joe Stevens on 14th November 1909.
Harry set about designing the first two machines called model ‘A’ and model ‘B’. Model ‘A’ was the cheaper machine, and was fitted with a 2.5hp single cylinder, side valve engine and a direct belt drive.
1912 saw the launch of the model ‘D’. In 1916, petrol was scarce and extremely expensive, due to the war. AJS, being inventive decided to use town gas instead of petrol. A large gas supply pipe ran along the back of the test bench and small branch pipes fed the gas directly into the engines. At the induction pipe entrance a bunsen burner attachment was fitted so that the quality of the mixture could be adjusted when necessary. The speed could be varied by turning the gas on or off at the supply.
The Ministry of Munitions prohibited the production of motorcycles except for military use, on 3rd November 1916. AJS was forced to cease production of its current products. In 1917, the Ministry of Munitions received an order from Russia for extremely large numbers of motorcycles to equip its armed forces. The order included machine gun carriers, ammunition carriers and light ambulances.
In 1920, the company decided to try to repeat the success that it had in the 1914 Isle of Man Junior TT. Harry developed a new 2.75hp overhead valve engine, and the TT machine included a 3 speed countershaft gearbox, which provided 6 speeds by engaging either of the 2 engine sprockets. It had a Thompson Bennett magneto and an Amac carburettor. The new machine did the trick, and Cyril Williams came in first. It was a good year as AJS greatly enhanced its reputation by winning a number of trials and races, and factory building continued at Graiseley Hill.
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