The AJS 7R, or the Boy Racer as it is often called, is one of the truly iconic British made racers of all time. Some say that it is one of the most beautiful machines ever made, but as they say, that is surely in the eye of the beholder.
A direct descendant of the chain-driven overhead cam engine of the 1927 R7 racer, the recoded 7R was launched in 1949. It was still a chain-driven OHC single, but otherwise all new with an elegant duplex cradle frame and Teledraulic front forks. This nimble, well performing 350cc single was to be a major contender in the domestic Junior racing class right through to 1961.
Its greatest achievement was in the hands of Bob McIntyre in 1952, when he won the Junior Manx GP on his 7R and also took second place in the Senior event on the very same machine. And in 1954, Rod Coleman actually won the Senior event on a 7R, albeit a three valve version (the 7R3), that only had a brief development period before being shelved.
Some of the other illustrious riders to compete on the 7R include Mike Hailwood, Les Graham, Rod Coleman and Jimmy Simpson.
Production: 1948 to 1954 (factory) up to 1963 (racing)
Engine: 348cc single SOHC four stroke
Power: 37 bhp (28 kW) at 7500 rpm.
