Be Like Brando On This AJS/Matchless Running When Parked

This is a sweet find for any AJS/Matchless fan. The asking price of $1700 doesn’t seem absurd (as almost every other motorcycle asking price is on Facebook). As long as you know your way around pre-50s motorcycles and have access to spare parts and/or a machinist this could be a fun project. You will also have a unique bike when you are done. You still see plenty of Triumphs, BSAs and Nortons but not so many of these.

I never understood what an AJS/Matchless is. Turns out that Matchless purchased the AJS company in 1931 and started branding some of the models as AJS/Matchless.

Click here to see if this bike is still Running When Parked. Click on the ad to make it bigger.

**Missing In Action:** Not crazy about the lack of an air filter and that cable touching the exhaust pipe is not great routing. I’ve seen worse brought back to better-than-showroom condition with a lot of expertise, time and money.

**High pipe:** I love the way the muffler is positioned to avoid getting pegged by a rock while blasting across the desert. Nice stying. I’ll bet this bike makes a unique sound when running.

**Brando Cool:** Marlon did not ride a Matchless in *The Wild Ones*. He rode a Triumph. He is sitting on a stuntman’s bike in this photo.

WHAT IS A RWP’ed?
The phrase “Running When Parked” (RWP) is code for a once treasured possession that has been neglected in the corner of the garage or tool shed for far too long. Lacking the energy, time or resources to bring the little beauty back to life, the owner lists it for sale in hopes that a new owner will massage it back to health. Our collection of RWP bikes fall into two distinct categories; treasure or trash. And you are the only one who can properly judge which category the bike belongs in.