1954 AJS E95

By Richard Backus
Published on August 10, 2010
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Engine hidden under huge gas tank.
Engine hidden under huge gas tank.
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One of four built, this super-rare 1954 AJS E95 won the first-ever award for motorcycles at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
One of four built, this super-rare 1954 AJS E95 won the first-ever award for motorcycles at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
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Chuck Huneycutt (with E95 engine) has the best job in the world — and he knows it!
Chuck Huneycutt (with E95 engine) has the best job in the world — and he knows it!
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AMC “Jampot” shocks were a weak link.
AMC “Jampot” shocks were a weak link.
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It seems almost cruel that a bike this beautiful should have been so unsuccessful.
It seems almost cruel that a bike this beautiful should have been so unsuccessful.
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The Barber team with the E95. From left: Lee Clark, Chuck Huneycutt, Jeff Ray, Dennis McCarthy and Brian Slark.
The Barber team with the E95. From left: Lee Clark, Chuck Huneycutt, Jeff Ray, Dennis McCarthy and Brian Slark.
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Frame plate shows E95 no. 3.
Frame plate shows E95 no. 3.
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Cam towers dominate engine.
Cam towers dominate engine.
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1954 AJS E95
Engine:
498cc air-cooled DOHC parallel twin with cylinders at 45 degrees, 68mm x 68.5mm bore and stroke, 9:1 compression ratio, 54hp @ 7,800rpm (est.)
Top speed: 143mph (Isle of Man, 1964)
Carburetion: Two 1-1/8-inch Amal GP
Transmission: 4-speed, right foot shift, chain final drive
Electrics: Lucas magneto ignition
Frame/wheelbase: Dual-downtube steel cradle/56.5in (1,435mm)
Suspension: AMC Teledraulic telescopic forks front, dual AMC Jampot shocks rear
Brakes: 8in (203mm) TLS drum front, 8in (203mm) SLS drum rear
Tires: 3 x 19in front, 3.50 x 19in rear
Weight (dry): 335lb (152kg)
Seat height: 28in (711mm)
Fuel capacity: 6.5gal (19ltr)

To understand the importance of this 1954 AJS motorcycle, you have to go back more than 60 years, to the closing days of World War II and the pent up energy within the British motorcycle industry to go racing again.

While the industry had kept busy manufacturing whatever machinery the War Department deemed necessary to defeat Hitler’s Germany, building motorcycles was at the core of companies like AJS. With fond memories of the commerce and competition of pre-war days, AJS was ready to get back to what it did best.

AJS E95 beginnings

A few years before WWII, AJS developed a water-cooled, supercharged, double-overhead-cam 500cc racing V4.

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