1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Information relating to the Matchless G80 or AJS Model 18 500cc Heavyweight.
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Harold2110
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Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:44 am
Location: South Australia

1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Harold2110 »

Good evening all,

My project is finally taking shape except the shape of the front mud guard appear to be badly out of shape.
There is some damage under the new paint but not enough to suggest the shape has been changed in an accident or repair.
I have started the search for a local (Australian) replacement or will look at an Indian reproduction.
My Question is has anyone had experience with Indian manufacturers of these items that can attest to the quality and fit??
I'd appreciate any feedback to assist with my situation.

Best regards Harold
20210301_150715[1].jpg
Front Guard.jpg
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GSAX1
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Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by GSAX1 »

Seems to have been made for a 23" front wheel ;) ?
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Pharisee
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Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Pharisee »

I bought a pair of Indian mudguards for my '54 G3/LS basket case rebuild project. To be honest, they were a lot better than I had expected. The rear fitted well and needed only a small amount of fettling. The only difference was that the rear section was hinged rather than being removable. For my purposes, that didn't matter. The one difference on the front mudguard was the hole for the front stand securing bolt. My bike needed a single hole on the centre-line of the mudguard. The one from India had two holes offset to the sides. I got over that by brazing a small patch over each hole on the inside of the mudguard and then filling the hole with lower melting point silver solder on the outside. A new hole was drilled on the centre-line for the stand fixing bolt. Once the mudguard was painted, you couldn't tell that there had been a problem.

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I'm from the Fens.... Gimme six.
Harold2110
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:44 am
Location: South Australia

Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Harold2110 »

Pharisee,

Thanks for the feedback and pictures, I will order one and hope it works out as well as your's.

Cheers Harold
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Harry44
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Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Harry44 »

I too have Indian made mudguards. I found them to be well made and sturdy.
Easy to fit on my bike as the two holes were spot on.

Harry
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Woodland
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Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Woodland »

Hi Harold, as you are in Australia, why not look at a company called vintage steel (www.vintagesteel.com), they are based in Western Australia
Think the correct one listed for your bike is 28AJSFF-1
Phone 0497999011
Harold2110
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:44 am
Location: South Australia

Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Harold2110 »

Thanks Woodland,

Yes I did contact Vintage Steel and they quoted about $1,000 for the mud guard to be made. they have not done any yet this would be their first.
They would be making a perfect replica but the cost of perfection is outside my budget hence the Indian option has been ordered.
I look forward to sturdy replica arriving soon.

Cheers
Harold
Greybeard
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Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Greybeard »

Harold2110 wrote: about $1,000 for the mud guard to be made
And there's me thinking that the sharks in Oz were restricted to the sea ;)

Steve
magnusk750
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Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by magnusk750 »

News about the mudguard?
Harold2110
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Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:44 am
Location: South Australia

Re: 1955 AJS 18s Front Mudguard

Post by Harold2110 »

Greetings All,
Thanks for the responses to my query regarding the Indian sourced front mudguard.
It got lost in mail and took a couple of months to turn up but it eventually did and is very pleasing on the eye.
As advised there are two holes that have to be filled on the back of the guard but apart from that the product is well made and will be a vast improvement on the original.
Now its time to topcoat and install it.

Cheers All
Harold
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