A new design by Phil Walker, the chain-driven overhead camshaft 7R had the history of the pre-war AJS ‘cammy’ singles behind it.

The duplex frame and Teledraulic front forks remained relatively unchanged during production, while the engine had a number of changes.

For 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 (30 kW) @ 7800 rpm.

[3] AMC withdrew from the world of works, and one-off, road racing at the end of the 1954, with the death of Ike Hatch, and in the face of fierce competition from the other European bikes.

[4] Swedish rider Bill Nilsson converted an AJS 7R road racing machine into a motocross bike and rode it to win the inaugural F.I.M.