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AJS Model 20

Field	Value
name	AJS Model 20
image	AJS Model 20 (1954).jpg
manufacturer	Associated Motorcycles Plumstead, London
production	1948–1958
successor	AJS Model 31
engine	498 cc air cooled twin
top_speed	85 mph
transmission	Four speed gearbox to chain final drive
suspension	Teledraulic front fork, swinging arm rear
brakes	drum brakes
dry_weight	395 lb

The AJS Model 20 is a British motorcycle that was made by Associated Motorcycles at the former Matchless factory in Plumstead, London. The Model 20 was discontinued when the 646 cc AJS Model 31 was introduced in the autumn of 1958.

Development

The AJS Model 20 and corresponding Matchless G9 were launched at the Earl's Court motorcycle show in late 1948. At first for export to the US, it was not until late in the summer of 1949 that AJS first offered the Model 20 on the home market. From the beginning, it had a "Teledraulic" telescopic front fork, swinging arm rear suspension, dual seat, and "megaphone" silencers. The G9 was called the "Super Clubman", and the AJS Model 20 was called the "Spring Twin". The basic design changed little over the course of the next few years. The most significant change was made in 1952, when a new Burman gearbox was adopted.

In 1951, the rear suspension was upgraded to the "Jampot" unit, derided for its shape in the 28 September issue of The Motor Cycle. In the same year, minor changes included a new Lucas horn-push on the handlebar and a medallion badge in place of the previously used transfer. Front fork shuttle damping was also replaced with rod and damper-type.

The Model 20 was discontinued when the 646cc AJS Model 31 replaced it in the autumn of 1958.

References

(January 2026). "Matchless".
(January 2026). "Matchless G9".
(January 2026). "The AMC Twins".

Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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