Difference between revisions of "James"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:Gb.jpg|right]] | [[Image:Gb.jpg|right]] | ||
[[Image:James logo.jpg|right]] | [[Image:James logo.jpg|right]] | ||
'''James''' was a motorcycle manufacturer located in Birmingham, England. | '''James''' was a motorcycle manufacturer located in Birmingham, England. James began production in 1902. The Model A was a motorised bicycle fitted with a Minerva engine, clipped forward of the front downtube, which drove the rear wheel via a twisted leather belt. The 1902 James Model B used a Derby motor fitted within the frame triangle driving the rear wheel via a friction roller. For 1903 James they used Minerva engines and in 1904 changed to F.N engines and bolted them into what is claimed to be the first loop frame, which provided a sturdier mounting. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Harry James began making Ordinary bicycles around 1880. The company was floated on the stock market in 1897 with Harry James as the first managing director. He retired in 1898. James was known for building [[four stroke]] [[single cylinder]] and large V-twins in the 1930s. In the 1960s the company switched its focus to [[two stroke]] engines, notably the 250cc Commodore single and its twin-cylinder successor the Superswift. The company was also involved in trials bikes, and fielded a factory team for many years. In 1963 James became part of the AMC, and ceased production when the group collapsed in 1966. | Harry James began making Ordinary bicycles around 1880. The company was floated on the stock market in 1897 with Harry James as the first managing director. He retired in 1898. James was known for building [[four stroke]] [[single cylinder]] and large V-twins in the 1930s. In the 1960s the company switched its focus to [[two stroke]] engines, notably the 250cc Commodore single and its twin-cylinder successor the Superswift. The company was also involved in trials bikes, and fielded a factory team for many years. In 1963 James became part of the AMC, and ceased production when the group collapsed in 1966. | ||
Revision as of 11:31, 30 May 2009
James was a motorcycle manufacturer located in Birmingham, England. James began production in 1902. The Model A was a motorised bicycle fitted with a Minerva engine, clipped forward of the front downtube, which drove the rear wheel via a twisted leather belt. The 1902 James Model B used a Derby motor fitted within the frame triangle driving the rear wheel via a friction roller. For 1903 James they used Minerva engines and in 1904 changed to F.N engines and bolted them into what is claimed to be the first loop frame, which provided a sturdier mounting.
History
Harry James began making Ordinary bicycles around 1880. The company was floated on the stock market in 1897 with Harry James as the first managing director. He retired in 1898. James was known for building four stroke single cylinder and large V-twins in the 1930s. In the 1960s the company switched its focus to two stroke engines, notably the 250cc Commodore single and its twin-cylinder successor the Superswift. The company was also involved in trials bikes, and fielded a factory team for many years. In 1963 James became part of the AMC, and ceased production when the group collapsed in 1966.
Models
125cc
- James M.L. 125cc (1945-1948)
- James Cadet Rigid-frame 125cc (1949-1952)
- James Cadet J5 125cc (1953-1954)
150cc
- James Cadet J15 150cc (1955)
- James Cadet L15 150cc (1956-1959)
- James Flying Cadet L15a 150cc (1959-1961)
- James Cadet M15 150cc (1962-1965)
- James M16 150cc (1965-1966)
200cc
- James Captain 200cc
- James Captain Rigid-frame 200cc. 1949-1953
- James Captain J8 Deluxe 200cc (1950-1953)
- James Captain K7. 200cc (1954-1959)
- James Captain L20. 200cc (1961-1966)
- James Sports Captain L20S 200cc (1961-1966)
250cc
- James Commodore L25 250cc
- James Superswift 250cc (1962-1963)
- James Trials 250cc
- James L25T Commando 250cc (1959-1962)
- James M25T Trials 250cc (1963-1966)
- James Cotswold L25S 250cc scrambles (1959-1962)
- James M25R Scrambler 250cc (1963-1964)
- James M25RS Scrambler 250cc (1964-1966)