ON TWO WHEELS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 580, 5 February 1929, Page 7

ON TWO WHEELS

NEWS AND NOTES

THE NEW A.J.S

WIDE RANGE OF 1929 MODELS A complete range of new model A.J.S. motor-cycles Is now on view in the showroom of the distributors, Merson Bros., Upper Symonds Street. A proved performer on track, road, beach and hill, the A.J.S. machine is one of the most popular mounts. In New Zealand and riders will find it interesting to inspect the 1929 models, with their advanced design and points of superiority. The new 10-20 twin has been entirely redesigned: the frame has been made bigger and heavier throughout, and the design changed to suit the very large saddle tank that has been adopted. The tank has a capacity of about three and a-half gallons, and the oil compartment has been removed to the down bar underneath the saddle, where it is now a separate fitting. As with all other de luxe models of the 1929 range, a Smith speedometer is standard equipment, and is set very neatly ip the tank, the clock face being flush. The drive is taken to the gear-box the advantage of this, other than from a neatness point of view, being that the exclusive A. J. S. feature of quick detachable and interchangeable wheels on the twin cylinder model is not deprived of any of its advantages by speedometer fittings on the wheels. The 10-20 model has an engine of 996 c.c. capacity, which is 200 c.c. greater than previously, and it incorporates the dry sump lubrication system which is found on the other 1929 A.J.S. models. There has been concentration on riding comfort, and the big twin is not behind other models in this respect. Refinements to be found in the construction are: A built-in steering damper, adjustable handle-bars, and re-designed tappets that keep the motor clean by making it oil-tight. The red panel in the tank figures prominently in the appearance, yet it does not detract from the neatness in any way.

Two long sports exhaust pipes are carried on the right side of the machine, which assist greatly in making the machine very attractive from the sporting aspect.

The lubrication, which is patented A.J.S. pressure feed dry sump system, assists the motor considerably in gaining its "peak revs.,” as well as relieving all worries of lubrication from the rider. He has to do nothing but put the oil in the tank before the beginning of a race. The usual bugbear of draining crank-case sumps in between races is eliminated by this design feature, as is also the most unpleasant necessity of having to pump any additional oil with a hand pump while the rider is doing high speeds on the track. The new models are attracting much attention.