From 'The Motor Cycle', 8th March, 1928.

Six A.J.S. machines were entered for the 1928 junior Isle of Man T.T. The riders were George Rowley, R. F. Parkinson, Len Cohen, J. E. Wade, Tommy Spann, and Jimmy Simpson. Unfortunately not one of them finished the course, they all suffered with engine problems. Because of last year’s engine problems, the new machines were fitted with the old type of push rod engine. A new type of valve spring was used from a new manufacturer. Unfortunately they failed, putting all of the machines out of action. The valve springs were quickly changed for the usual reliable type in readiness for the senior race.  The entrants were Len Cohen, Jimmy Simpson, George Rowley, and Tommy Spann. Len Cohen and Jimmy Simpson failed to finish, but George Rowley managed to finish in 2nd place, just behind the winner, Charlie Dodson on his Sunbeam. Tommy Span finished in 13th place.

The Stewart Street factory was put up for sale, and purchased by the Symphony Gramophone and Radio Company Limited for £15,375. The new company not only purchased the buildings, but also the contents, including the machinery and radio components. About 100 people were employed in the works, many of them being ex-A.J.S. employees.

Luckily overseas motorcycle sales actually increased, due to the efforts of George Stevens.

Around this time Charles Hayward moved to London to exploit his idea of financing new inventions and processes. He formed the successful Electric & General Industrial Trusts Limited, which led to the formation of the Firth Cleveland Group of Companies. His position in the company was taken over by Joe Stevens junior.

From 'The Motor Cycle', 29th March, 1928.

The 660c.c. in-line 4 cylinder motorcycle. From 'The Motor Cycle'.

The oil from the sump was pressure-fed to the rocker box via an external radiator with four tubes. The machine was first registered by George Stevens. Although the design showed some promise it was not pursued.

October 31st, 1928.

New frames were used to accommodate the new style of petrol tank, and a new type of spring forks was introduced. Many of the machines had a flush mounted speedometer on top of the petrol tank.

The 'M1' and 'M2', the de luxe and standard 996c.c. sold for £76.10s.0d. and £66 respectively. The 'M3', the de-luxe tourer had a 349c.c. side valve engine, as did the 'M4', the de luxe sporting version. Both machines sold for £48.10s.0d.

The standard sporting model, the 'M5' was priced at £45. The 'M6' had an overhead valve engine, fitted with either a single or twin port cylinder head. The single port version sold for £52 and the twin port version sold for £54.10s.0d.

The 'M8' 498c.c. overhead valve machine could be purchased with a single or twin port cylinder head. The single port version sold for £59.10s.0d. and the twin port version sold for £62.

The 'M9', a 500c.c. side valve de luxe tourer, sold for £54, and the 'M12', a 248c.c. lightweight machine, weighing only 193lbs, sold for £39.17s.6d.

Versions of the ‘M6’, the ‘M7’ and the ‘M8’ were available for the popular sport of dirt track racing.

A 349c.c. 'M7', on display at the National Motorcycle Museum.

From 'The Motor Cycle', 5th April, 1928.

It had been another bad year for the company with sales still falling and mounting financial difficulties. Crucially, the contract with Clyno for the production of car bodies came to a premature end in February, 1929 when Clyno went into receivership.

This had been essential to the future of production at Lower Walsall Street because of the continuing decline in the sidecar market. It ensured full-time working for the large number of staff, and funded the project to develop A.J.S. commercial vehicles.

This happened at the same time as the launch of the first A.J.S. commercial vehicle chassis, the ‘Pilot’. To try and offset this important loss, A.J.S. decided to manufacture a light car, the A.J.S. ‘Nine’.

Although these were difficult times for the company, many successes were gained in trials and competition events. George Rowley, Clarrie Wise, and Leo Davenport all won first class awards in the Scottish Six Days Trial in May, and the manufacturers’ team prize for the best performance in their class.

In September Leo Davenport, and George Rowley came first and second respectively in the 250c.c. class in the Ulster Grand Prix. J. S. Anderson finished in 4th place riding another A.J.S. machine.

The company made an attempt on the motorcycle land speed record using a specially built 990c.c. machine, thought to be capable of 150m.p.h. The project was championed by Jack Stevens. The rider, Captain Oliver M. Baldwin had several successful test runs at Brooklands before travelling to Arpajon in France for the record attempt. The attempt ended in failure when the engine seized after reaching a speed of 130m.p.h.

From 'The Motor Cycle', 12th July, 1928.

This model is one of the factory racers for 1930 and is known to have been ridden by Bert Denly.

It's just possible that it might be the actual machine on which Denly and Baker broke the 350c.c. three hour record at Montlhéry in October 1930 at exactly 100mph.

Here, it is in Brooklands trim with the compulsory 'Brooklands Can' silencer which had to be used to pacify local residents, who complained about noise.

There were two 498c.c. machines, the overhead valve, two port 'R8' and the side valve 'R9'. The machines sold for £59.10s.0d. and £52.10s.0d. respectively. The overhead cam 495c.c. ‘R10’ sold for £86, and the lightweight 248c.c. overhead valve, 2 port machine, the 'R12' sold for £40.

By the end of the year sales were still falling, and for the third year in a row the company failed to declare a dividend to its shareholders. In 1930 a 10% reduction in pay was made throughout the works in an attempt to reduce running costs, and higher priority was given to the car project.

As usual there were many successes in trials and sporting events, but enthusiasm at the works must have been dampened by the company’s serious financial position.

From 'The Motor Cycle', 19th July, 1928.

From 'Motor Cycling', 15th May, 1929.

Another good team was entered for the Isle of Man T.T. Five team riders entered the junior event. They were Freddie Hicks, Jimmie Guthrie, George Himing, Leo Davenport, and J. G. Lind.

It was a disappointing race for A.J.S. George Himing finished in 8^th place, Leo Davenport came 10^th, and J. G. Lind came 11^th. The others did not finish.  

In the senior race Freddie Hicks was replaced by S. M. Williams, the other riders were the same. Only J. G. Lind, and George Himing finished, in 9^th and 12^th places respectively.

The team faired much better in the lightweight race. The entries were Leo Davenport, Jimmie Guthrie, and J. G. Lind. Jimmy Guthrie finished in first place at an average speed of 64.71m.p.h. J. G. Lind finished in 5th place, Leo Davenport did not complete the course.

Initially sales were good, helped by excellent write-ups in the press.

It was hoped that car production would keep the factory operating at full capacity.

An A.J.S. 'R6'. Courtesy of the late Jim Boulton.

Optimistically as ever, the company added 5 new models to the existing range for the 1931 catalogue. The 'S' series were extremely good value for money, and were offered at very attractive prices.

The 'SA4', a smaller version of the 'S4' sold for £44. The 'SA5', a lightweight version of the S5 side valve machine with 'Maglita' electric lighting, sold for £40. The 'SB6', 'Big Port', single port 349c.c. overhead valve machine, sold for £45. The 'SB8', 'Big Port', single port 498c.c. overhead valve machine, sold for £49.17s.6d. and the 'SA12', 248c.c. twin port, overhead valve machine, sold for £40.

Although the new machines were well-priced, sales remained low. 

An advert for the 'S' series machines.

Clarrie Wise. Courtesy of the late Jim Boulton.

The initial high hopes for the A.J.S. ‘Nine’ car were dashed because sales sharply declined, mainly due to cheaper competition. In February car prices were reduced by £11 and the new cheaper fabric bodied ‘Richmond’ saloon was added to the range. At the same time the A.J.S. ‘Admiral’ luxury coach was launched.

In spite of all the problems Freddie Hicks was entered for the 1931 Isle of Man T.T. There were also five private entrants, George Rowley, Tommy Spann, George Himing, D. Brewster, and Tom Simister.

In the junior race Freddie Hicks did not finish, George Rowley came in 9th, and George Himing came in 14th.

In the senior race none of the A.J.S. entries completed the course.

Tragically Freddie Hicks was killed, after loosing control of his machine and crashing into the doorway of a small shop. A sad end to the company’s T.T. career.

From 'The Motor Cycle', 9th July, 1931.

From 'The Motor Cycle and Cycle Trader', 14th November, 1930.

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders was called on 2nd October, at the Victoria Hotel.

A resolution was passed for the company to go into voluntary liquidation. John Todd Lewis of Agar, Bates, Neal & Company, of Birmingham, was appointed as liquidator.

Prior to the meeting, the four brothers signed a declaration of solvency with the Registrar of Companies on 22nd September, stating that in their opinion they would be able to pay-off all creditors within 12 months of winding up.

Matchless Motorcycles Limited of Plumstead, London, purchased the A.J.S. name, manufacturing rights, and good will for £20,000. BSA also put in a bid, which being lower was not accepted.

The price was soon reduced to £189 when it was realised that the car was in direct competition with the Crossley 'Ten'.

The sidecar business, the 'Graiseley' name and the remaining stock were sold to Diamond Motors of St. James Square, Wolverhampton for £475.

All of the creditors were paid in full by the end of September 1932. The land and properties were eventually sold. The Lower Walsall Street factory was sold on 25^th January, 1932 to the Ever Ready Company (Great Britain) Limited, for £12,750. The Graiseley Hill site was split into two, one half being purchased by the Star Aluminium Company Limited, late in 1933, and the other half being purchased by Wolverhampton Die Castings in February, 1934. The sale raised £14,328.7s.6d.

A.J.S. also owned a piece of land on the corner of Commercial Road and Lower Walsall Street that had been purchased in 1925. It was sold towards the end of 1934 to W. E. Jones, timber merchants and timber importers, for £1,750.

It was a sad end for a company that had been so important to Wolverhampton and the surrounding area. In the mid 1920's around 600 motorcycles were produced in a good week. Due to the seasonal nature of the business there was a certain amount of short time working, but the company still produced around 20,000 to 25,000 machines a year.

The A.J.S. name was well known and respected throughout much of the world. The workforce were well looked after by the family, and both loyal and hard working. Many engineers obtained their engineering skills while working for the company, which in its heyday had a workforce of between 3,000 and 4,000 people.

The only reminder of the once great company at Graiseley Hill is the memorial, erected by Safeway. It is aptly named 'The Lone Rider' and was unveiled by Geoffrey Stevens on the 31st August, 1996.