31 Mar On Yer Bike: 1924 AJS Model D
FMM Curator Wayne Harley once again took part in this year’s annual D-J Commemorative Rally…
This year was the 110th running of the Durban to Johannesburg motorcycle rally, popularly known as simply ‘the D-J’. As always, it was hosted by the VVC and ITOO insurance. Entries from around South Africa made up a field of 95 motorcycles that left Hillcrest on March 17 heading for Newcastle. Some amazing entries took part including a 1910 Dürkopp, two beautiful 1920 ABCs up to the winning 1936 Velocette. In amongst this field, the FMM entered its 800cc 1924 AJS Model D ridden by curator Wayne Harley.
Day one was a wet start and conditions were not good. The roads were in an atrocious state and, to top it all, the route was different to that of the last few years. These factors saw a number of bikes withdrawing, with one rider suffering a rather bad fall because of road conditions. Wayne had his share of problems, almost losing the carburettor because of the rough terrain, forcing him to stop to tighten everything back together. A clutch issue forced him complete the rest of the rally without that luxury and he arrived over an hour late at the overnight stop.
Day two saw riders leaving Newcastle in thick mist for Johannesburg via Standerton. Once the hill and mountain passes were behind them, the going became a little easier for the riders. However, potholes remained a problem, claiming a few more bikes. By the time Wayne arrived on the Reef he had mastered riding without a clutch and managed to bring the AJS home and cross the finishing line in Benoni in 53rd position out of 67 finishers. Not the best result but he was very relieved to have been able to complete the rally.
The D-J is huge test of man and machine, and this year’s event was won by Mike Ward on a 1936 Velocette MSS with Martin Kaiser second (1934 Sunbeam 9A) and Gavin Walton third (1936 AJS 9).
