Gerald "Sussie" Cooper collides with Clive Bowen on a test run of the AJS 7R.
While riding side-by-side approaching a narrow bend in the road, a bird darted out hitting Sussie in the side of his helmet causing him to veer into Clive. Fortunately both riders would walk away relatively unharmed but, Cooper's frame, forks and front wheel were trashed. And, I'm afraid, so was his time as a test pilot, as he was terminated.
The AJS 7R, also known as the ‘Boy Racer’, was a 348cc racing bike designed by Phil Walker. The chain-driven overhead camshaft 7R had the history of the pre-war AJS ‘cammy’ singles behind it. Initially, the 7R was not as powerful as its competitors, only producing 32 bhp at 7500 rpm. The duplex frame and Teledraulic front forks remained relatively unchanged during production, while the engine had a number of changes. The included valve angle was progressively narrowed, and the crankshaft strengthened.
The next year Ike Hatch would develop a three valve head version of the 7R making a more powerful 36 bhp. The new design would become the 7R3, and was Ike's response to the Italian multi-cylinder bikes. In 1954 Jack Williams, the works team manager, developed the bike further, lowering the engine in the frame, and making some tuning changes that gave 40 bhp @ 7800 rpm. The changes resulted in AJS winning the first two rounds of the World Championship and took first at the Isle of Man TT.
Gerald Cooper, still living in Plumstead, London, retired as a machinist in 1992.
