AJS Motorcycles K12 And Wicker Sidecar 1928
AJS launched the single-cylinder, 250cc, side-valve K12 “in response to insistent demand for a smaller edition of our famous 350cc side valve models”.
Although it was the smallest capacity model in the 11-model AJS range at the time, the 250cc capacity class was very popular as an inexpensive means of transport. The K12 was designed for general work and was aimed at both male and female customers with its light weight and low saddle position especially suitable for women.
It features total loss lubrication and a three-speed, hand-change gearbox, and although its limited power output would have provided only modest performance – especially with a sidecar attached – people had lower expectations regarding the performance of motorcycles and cars in the 1920s. Roads were not at all as we know them today and the quality of fuel available was vastly different to today’s multiple octane-rated offerings.
This 1928 example features a flat fuel tank from the last year that AJS equipped its motorcycles with them before introducing saddle tanks in 1929. It has had a complete restoration carried out at some earlier time in its life and was supplied with a copy of a UK MOT Test Certificate and tax disc from 2003. It was purchased for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection via an auction house in The Netherlands in January, 2009.