Like so many famous and not so famous motorcycle firms, that founded by Harry James in 1880 started out as a bicycle manufacturer. Based initially at Sparkbrook and then Greet in Birmingham, the James Cycle Company built its first motorcycle, a Minerva-powered machine, in 1902. The first model to be powered by James’s own engine followed in 1908; this was the ‘safety’ James, a radical design featuring wheels carried on stub axles, scooter-fashion. More orthodox designs followed, with two-stroke, sidevalve, overhead-valve, single-cylinder and twin-cylinder models featuring in the range before the end of the 1920s. For 1914, in which year the machine presented here was built, James offered a revised (4¼hp) single-cylinder model in ‘No.6’ (three-speed) and ‘No.5’ (two-speed) versions, both of which featured fully enclosed, all chain drive. The firm’s first v-twin, the 500cc (3½hp) ‘No.7’, arrived that same year. The singles’ model designations were carried over from 1913, although the engine had been enlarged from 557 to 598cc for 1914 by means of an increased stroke. Priced at 60 guineas - ‘No.6’ and ‘No.7’, the ‘No.5’ was 10s (50p) cheaper - the James was a quality product that incorporated some interesting ideas, one of the more practical being the ‘spring drive’ shock absorber built into the rear wheel hub. ‘We confidently claim that this refinement affords all the sweetness of “belt drive” with none of the attendant foibles,’ declared its maker. The first date of registration recorded in this machine’s accompanying old-style buff logbook (issued 1949) is 22nd January 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act’s passing). Four owners are recorded in this buff logbook, the last of which – Martin Bell of Biggin Hill, Kent – appears as previous recorded keeper on the accompanying (copy) Swansea V5 issued to Edward Finch, from whom Brian Verrall bought the James in March 2004. Other documents on file include copies of the 1921 and 1950 license application forms; assorted previous owner correspondence; extract from the VMCC’s register of machines; assorted expired SORNs; expired MoT certificate (2003-2004); Swansea V5C registration document and Sunbeam MCC Pioneer Certificate. Photocopies of the James 1913 and 1914 range brochures, instruction handbook and a parts list are included in the sale together with a quantity of photographs. Courtesy of Bonhams and The Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club, complimentary inclusion in the 71st Pioneer Run for Veteran Motorcycles is included with this Lot. The Run takes place on the 22 March 2009.
Like so many famous and not so famous motorcycle firms, that founded by Harry James in 1880 started out as a bicycle manufacturer. Based initially at Sparkbrook and then Greet in Birmingham, the James Cycle Company built its first motorcycle, a Minerva-powered machine, in 1902. The first model to be powered by James’s own engine followed in 1908; this was the ‘safety’ James, a radical design featuring wheels carried on stub axles, scooter-fashion. More orthodox designs followed, with two-stroke, sidevalve, overhead-valve, single-cylinder and twin-cylinder models featuring in the range before the end of the 1920s. For 1914, in which year the machine presented here was built, James offered a revised (4¼hp) single-cylinder model in ‘No.6’ (three-speed) and ‘No.5’ (two-speed) versions, both of which featured fully enclosed, all chain drive. The firm’s first v-twin, the 500cc (3½hp) ‘No.7’, arrived that same year. The singles’ model designations were carried over from 1913, although the engine had been enlarged from 557 to 598cc for 1914 by means of an increased stroke. Priced at 60 guineas - ‘No.6’ and ‘No.7’, the ‘No.5’ was 10s (50p) cheaper - the James was a quality product that incorporated some interesting ideas, one of the more practical being the ‘spring drive’ shock absorber built into the rear wheel hub. ‘We confidently claim that this refinement affords all the sweetness of “belt drive” with none of the attendant foibles,’ declared its maker. The first date of registration recorded in this machine’s accompanying old-style buff logbook (issued 1949) is 22nd January 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act’s passing). Four owners are recorded in this buff logbook, the last of which – Martin Bell of Biggin Hill, Kent – appears as previous recorded keeper on the accompanying (copy) Swansea V5 issued to Edward Finch, from whom Brian Verrall bought the James in March 2004. Other documents on file include copies of the 1921 and 1950 license application forms; assorted previous owner correspondence; extract from the VMCC’s register of machines; assorted expired SORNs; expired MoT certificate (2003-2004); Swansea V5C registration document and Sunbeam MCC Pioneer Certificate. Photocopies of the James 1913 and 1914 range brochures, instruction handbook and a parts list are included in the sale together with a quantity of photographs. Courtesy of Bonhams and The Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club, complimentary inclusion in the 71st Pioneer Run for Veteran Motorcycles is included with this Lot. The Run takes place on the 22 March 2009.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
