The 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine motorcycle is certainly one of the most innovative as well as rare motorbikes in history. Due to having a limited production run and designing the Porcupine to reach the technological limits of the era. It represents not merely a motorcycle of legend, but an archetypal motorcycle that helped forge the era of racing. The popularity of this bike that advertised its sophistication in engineering and design and left imaginations running wild continues to draw interest amongst the motorbike community, collectors, and even racing history enthusiasts. In this article we will explore the 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine and its price tag & features.
Overview of 1949 E90 Ajs Porcupine
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) |
| Brand | AJS |
| Engine Configuration | Horizontal-engine (E90S), Inclined (E95) |
| Engine Capacity | 500cc |
| Championship Victory | 1949 FIM 500cc World Championship |
| Production Period | 1945–1954 |
Outstanding Engineering of the AJS Porcupine
Quite rightly so, the E90 AJS Porcupine was certainly of the era and its design was era specific where speed, stability and the engineering was key. Bike frame itself, made from lightweight high quality steel, was pioneering for that time. This structural decision provided the advantage of slight structural weight and thus, better handling and high speed characteristics. A specific region of concern was weight reduction, which was central to winning races, especially on narrow circuits where stability and manoeuvrability were a necessity.
Specification of 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine
E90S Engine (1945)
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | 500cc, DOHC, twin-cylinder horizontal engine |
| Construction | Aluminium alloy |
| Power Output | Approx. 45 bhp |
| Fuel System | Twin GP carburettors with unique float tank system |
| Primary Drive | Geared; motor ran “backwards” |
| Lubrication | Gear-driven oil pump |
E95 Engine (1953)
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | 500cc, DOHC, twin-cylinder inclined engine |
| Inclination | 45 degrees |
| Power Output | 55 bhp @ 7,600 rpm |
| Additional Features | Jackshaft-driven fuel pump, oil pump, and magneto |
| Bearings | Plain for big and center main; rollers for outer mains |
Frame and Suspension | 1949 E90 Ajs Porcupine
| Model | Frame Type | Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| E90S | Open frame | “Jam-pot” shocks, Teledraulic forks |
| E95 | Loop-type frame | Improved stability and weight distribution |
Racing Legacy of the 1949 E90 Ajs Porcupine
| Year | Event | Rider | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Isle of Man TT | Jock West | 15th place due to teething problems. |
| 1949 | FIM 500cc Championship | Leslie Graham | Championship winner; first and only for AJS. |
The Price of 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine
| Year | Model | Buyer | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | E95 (Tom Arter) | Private Buyer | $228,620 |
| 2011 | E95 (Bonhams Auction) | Post-auction buyer | $675,000 (plus fees) |
Why is the AJS Porcupine So Perfect Bike
In the eyes of a collector, the 1949 E90 Ajs Porcupine is a perfect bike, or as close as we could ever get to it. It is a motorcycle that was relatively rare to encounter in the past and therefore has considerable appeal to collectors of classic motorcycles. Collectors don’t have to own an AJS Porcupine just to have the motorcycle; they have a piece of motorcycling history. Just the stories of the racing, of innovation, and of the bike’s part in helping to define the direction of motorcycles going forward adds so much to the game, the culture of biking.
Restoration and Preservation: Seven Headaches Involved in Owning an AJS Porcupine
Having a 1949 AJS Porcupine is more than the thrill one gets whenever they decide to go for a ride or the pleasure of putting on a show of the bike. It also has a large share of responsibilities. As a result, when it comes to a bike with such design and the level of its novelty, restoration and preservation become critical. It remains a task to locate new parts to purchase for the Porcupine. As a number of the specialized elements that entered into construction were procured from small specialty manufacturers and are no longer being produced.
While working on such bicycles restorers have to achieve a fine line between preserving the distinctive features of the bike’s design and making it fully functional. Some collectors demand utmost restoration which means the bike’s condition is restored to its state in the factory. However, While on the other side some collectors focus on maintaining the bike’s history. Both techniques imply the knowledge of the motorcycle design and history and underline the approach which was taken to restore such a valuable piece of history.
Conclusion
The 1949 E90 Ajs Porcupine that is more in the form of a motorcycle is much more than just a motorcycle. Its position in history is well defined for its engineering developments and for influencing the course of motorcycle racing. For the collectors, the Porcupine is the jackpot—or the dream. One of the, if not the most, exceptional and historically significant motorcycles. That represent both the spirit of the adventurous race and the love for speed.
FAQs About 1949 E90 Ajs Porcupine
Ans. The AJS E95 Porcupine was created to be a supercharged racing bike. But was modified to be a bike without a supercharger when FIM banned this in 1946.
Ans. Porcupine People barely know much about Leslie Graham, but he had brought home the inaugural and the only FIM 500cc World Championship in 1949 riding AJS E95 Porcupine.
Ans. One of the main problems was insufficient flywheel effect, which became especially apparent after the removal of the supercharger and which caused frequent failures of magnetic distributors.
Ans. The E95 engine developed 55 horsepower of engine power at 7600 r/min.
Ans. The silver cylinder head, used to improve thermal efficiency, had to be alloyed for strength. Which eliminated the thermal gains, leading to the experiment’s abandonment.
