THE WONDROUS MACHINE

At the Jampot Rally in Taranaki (thanks Willie) I was fortunate enough to win the Pre 1940 Trophy with my 1939 AJS Model 8 and when asked, without too much prodding, to tell the story of my current custodianship of the bike, I put pen to paper - so here goes........

The story begins, prior to my knowledge, with a man I don't know, but would like to - a certain Mark Adams from Wellington. He purchased the frame, motor and gear box from an unknown source in Christchurch. Along the way he had the tank beaten and chromed for an almost legendary $1000 before he passed it on to my Kiwi pal, Marty Hewlett, the uncrowned King of Katikati, who in 1995/96 intended the bike for his lovely wife, Chris. Marty did fine work in assembling the components to complement the originals. The front mudguard was purchased from Norway and the headlight repatriated from Australia. The wheels came from Christchurch, one from Les Freeman and one from a swap meet. To get the toolbox Marty had to buy a trials compy which, sans box was sent on. From here, ground inertia, and the glacial speed of resto took over.

At this point in time Marty began to tell me that this was the ideal bike for me. At the same time, fellow historic bike owners and friends at home in Queensland began convincing me that I should have a girder fork bike in my collection. With my natural bias, nothing but an AJS would fill the bill.

I had discussed the bike with Marty, but with my lack of engineering skill, I knew that it would not accelerate the process - but I lusted on, hoping that the bike would finally reach its potential and I would get to see the finished product.

Enter the hero, John Hartels, who swapped an Ariel Red Hunter 350 (since moved on) with Marty for the 'Chest of Bits'. Well, Hartels got into it and I must here list the contributors to what is now my pride and joy.

The rear guard is thought to be war or post-war. (If anyone knows of a '39 deluxe type I would love to hear from them) Also, if anyone can explain to me why the rocker box has two little inspection covers that appear to open on to nothing and have no purpose, I'm interested in what appears to be a '1939 only' mystery.

• Norm and Linda Maddock an unbelievably rare Palmer rim, as one of the Christchurch ones was beyond repair.
• Ken McIntosh for the delightful handlebars.
• Ross Pickworth (master upholsterer) for the seat (probably better than the original Lyceet made in the UK)
• Horopito Wreckers for the headlight rim and an unobtainable lens
• Clear Hooter (Birmingham,UK) for the correct horn
• Vintage Motorcycle Transfers who did their bit.
• Brian Medrecroft (the Michelangelo of tank painting) who painted the tank magnificently after cleaning with phosphoric acid and painting the inside with PA10.

All the hard work Hartels put in was rewarded with a very creditable 39.9 seconds in the Chelsea Walsh Hill Climb and I had my big moment in New Zealand in March before flying this stunner to OZ. It looks great in our Tarragindi garage with its siblings - our 1967 AJS P11 and our favourite bike (up until now?) a 1964 short stroke Model 18 AJS.

We look forward to our newsletters from the NZ Register avidly and cant wait for next years Jampot in Central Otago. We already have a couple of friends planning to come over with us, and, with a bit of luck, the numbers will grow. Maybe we will see some representatives from the NZ Register at Swan Hill in Victoria later in the year for the Down under Jampot Rally.

Bruce and Wendy King, Queensland-Australia