AJW Motorcycles

Brief History of the Marque: AJW

Built in Exeter by Arthur John Wheaton (better known as Jack Wheaton) from 1926 to about 1936, when the business was sold.

During the inter-war period they produced some excellent machines in relatively small quantities using engines from MAG, British Anzani and JAP, and frames from Brough Superior. There was a 1933 model with a Rudge Ulster engine, the Flying Fox, which employed Druid forks and a four-speed gearbox. They also included two Villiers-powered models in immediate pre-war range.

After WWII, the manufacturer was J.O. (Jack) BALL who based the factory in Bournemouth and then Dorset where they built machines such as the 500cc JAP-engined Flying Fox of 1948.

They continued to build the 48cc Fox Cub until 1964, after which rebadged Italian machines of 125cc to 500cc were sold. The company ceased trading in 1981.

In Australia, the Commonwealth Distributers were T.E. MALONEY MOTORS of Moorabool Sreet Geelong.

Sources: Just Bikes, Classic British Motorcycles Of Over 500cc by Bob Currie
http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/EM/ajwmotorcycles.php

Aug 3rd 2009
Snippets from the forums, courtesy 33d6 ...
About the only technical information you will find on the Grey Fox was published by Pitmans in their later editions of "The Book of the JAP Engine". Chapter VI in third edition is headed "Care of the AJW Grey Fox". The Dowty forks used by AJW were also fitted to Velocette, Panther and Scotts of the period, so refer to their repair manuals. I know the Panther Club provide some Dowty spares.

The Albion 4 speed gearbox was used mainly by Royal Enfield so again, refer to their repair manuals for advice. The particular JAP engine used was a 500cc sidevalve twin. It was somewhat sluggish.

Mon May 25 2009
andyhosie<at>dodo.com.au
AJW Grey Fox price guide
AJW 1949 Grey Fox
Hi, I have located and about to purchase an original and complete 1949 AJW Grey Fox. Do you or anyone else have any information about this rare bike and what it is worth (dollar value) any info would be appreciated
cheers
Andy

Fri Dec 05 2008
heurlin.thierryneuf.fr
doc
ajw all models
it's a english brand