MotoService Log
AJS 16M / 18 single
Example photo: sv1ambo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
AJS · British pre-unit single, telescopic fork (1946-1966)

16M / 18 single

Library entry covers 1945-1966

25 factory 50 guideline

Published source

A.J.S. Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book for 1954 350 c.c. and 500 c.c. Spring Frame and Rigid Single Cylinder Models, Edition CM-27 (Associated Motor Cycles)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1954 (350 16M/16MS/16MC, 500 18 series, rigid and spring frame).

Open the source

75 items for a 1945 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)
Engine cycle
Four-stroke
Engine lubrication
Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration
Mesh screens / strainers only
Valve gear
Overhead valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
Ignition
Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging
DC generator with regulator
Battery
Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system
Single carburetor
Cooling
Air / oil cooled
Primary drive
Chain in oil-bath case with its own oil
Gearbox oil
Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control
Hand lever, cable
Final drive
Chain
Front suspension
Telescopic fork
Rear suspension
Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake
Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake
Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

1945 AJS 16M / 18 single

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item
  • Check engine oil level
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items
  • Check lights, horn, brake light switches
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Check tire pressures
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item
  • Lubricate drive chain
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Factory

    Manual: Rear chain: if dry, apply engine oil with brush. Factory: Every 500 miles, p.22.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item
  • Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item
  • Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 3,000 mi

1 item
  • Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Factory

    Manual: Bolts and nuts: check tightness. Factory: Every 3,000 miles; beware over-tightening, p.23.

Every 500 mi

2 items
  • Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Battery: inspect electrolyte, top up distilled water. Factory: Every 500 miles, p.22.

  • Change primary chaincase oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Chaincase: check oil level. Factory: Every 500 miles, machine vertical on level ground, p.22.

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

6 items
  • Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Grease swingarm pivot
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Adjust front drum brake
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 1,000 mi

7 items
  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Air filter (if fitted): clean and re-oil element. Factory: Every 1,000 miles, p.23.

  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Gear box: add 2 fluid ounces of oil. Factory: Every 1,000 miles, p.23. Drain at first 500 miles (p.22).

  • Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)
    Final drive
    Factory

    Manual: Rear chain: remove and soak in molten tallow (wet weather). Factory: Every 1,000 miles in wet weather; every 3,000 in dry weather, p.23.

  • Repack / replace steering head bearings
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Steering head: inject small amount of grease. Factory: Every 1,000 miles, p.23.

  • Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Expanders: inject small amount of grease. Factory: Every 1,000 miles, p.23.

  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Hubs: inject small amount of grease. Factory: Every 1,000 miles, p.23.

  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Manual: Small parts: smear moving parts with engine oil. Factory: Every 1,000 miles, p.23.

Every 1,500 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check / adjust primary chain
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

13 items
  • Check engine mounting bolts and plates
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Check throttle cable(s) free play and return
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Check / set ignition timing
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Check generator drive belt or chain
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Oil / check generator bearings (where an oiler is fitted)
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

6 items
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Rockers: check O.H.V. rocker adjustment. Factory: Every 3,000 miles, p.23.

  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Plug: clean and reset points. Factory: Every 3,000 miles, p.23.

  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Magneto: clean contact breaker points, reset. Factory: Every 3,000 miles, p.23.

  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Steering head: test for up and down movement, adjust. Factory: Every 3,000 miles, p.23.

  • Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Brake pedal: inject small amount of grease. Factory: Every 3,000 miles, p.23.

  • Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Manual: Speedometer gear box: inject grease. Factory: Every 3,000 miles, p.23.

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 5,000 mi or 3 months

1 item
  • Change engine oil
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Oil tank: drain and re-fill with new oil. Factory: Every 5,000 miles; three months if only short runs. Also at first 500 and 1,000 miles, p.23.

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Check cylinder head bolt torque
    Engine
    Guideline

    Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 5,000 mi

5 items
  • Clean oil strainers / mesh screens
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Filters: clean metal mesh and felt filters. Factory: Every 5,000 miles, p.23.

  • Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Carburetor: remove float chamber, clean interior. Factory: Every 5,000 miles, p.23.

  • Inspect generator brushes and commutator
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Generator: clean as in Electrical section. Factory: Every 5,000 miles, p.23.

  • Change fork oil
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Front fork: check hydraulic fluid content, top up. Factory: Every 5,000 miles, each side, p.23.

  • Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Rear legs (if fitted): check hydraulic fluid, top up. Factory: Every 5,000 miles, dealers' service only, p.23.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Check swingarm bushes for play
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

3 items
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate and check automatic advance unit
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 8,000 mi or 3 years

1 item
  • Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)
    Engine
    Guideline

    Period practice. Leaded-era valve seats may need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Compression test (or leak-down)
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

3 items
  • Replace air filter element
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Air filter (if fitted): renew element. Factory: Every 10,000 miles, p.23.

  • Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Magneto and generator: Lucas Service Station dismantle, clean, lubricate. Factory: Every 10,000 miles, p.23.

  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item
  • Replace points and condenser
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item
  • Inspect clutch plates and springs
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item
  • Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item
  • Replace swingarm bushes / bearings
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item
  • Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs
    Front end
    Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item
  • Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item
  • Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items
  • Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item
  • Replace fuel lines
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items
  • Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.

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