The Big Car Database

The James Cycle Co

 
James Superswift with Villiers 247 cc twin-cylinder engine

The James Cycle Co Ltd.

Greet, Birmingham, England, was one of many British cycle and motorcycle makers centred on the English Midlands, particularly Birmingham Most of their light motorcycles, often with the characteristic maroon finish, used Villiers and, later, AMC two-stroke engines

James were prolific bicycle and motorcycle manufacturers from 1897 to 1966. The company was taken over by Associated Motor Cycles in 1951 and combined with Francis-Barnett in 1957. In 1966 the company became one of the many British motorcycle companies forced out of business by Japanese competition.

 
James Captain 197 cc

Models

James produced the 98 cc Autocycle, 125 cc Comet, Commodore, also 1954/55 Colonel 225cc Villiers single cylinder, several Captains as well as trials and scrambles bikes. In 1956 they produced the Captain 200 K7, Cotswold 200 K7C, and Commando 200 K7T, all 197 cc.

This is a list of motorcycles produced by the James Cycle Co.

98cc

  • Autocycle (Deluxe and Superluxe)
  • Comet
  • Commodore

125cc

  • M.L. (1945-1948)
  • Cadet 125 (Rigid-frame, J5, and J6)

150cc

  • Cadet 150 (J15, L15, Flying Cadet L15a, Cadet M15, and Cadet M16)
  • Scooter (SC1/SC4)

175cc

  • Cavalier L17 (1958-1959)

200cc

  • Captain (Rigid-frame, J8 Deluxe "Plunger", K7, L20, Sports Captain L20S)

225cc

  • Colonel K12

250cc

  • Commodore L25 (1957-1962)
  • Superswift (1962-1963)
  • L25T Commando (1959-1962)
  • M25T Trials (1963-1966)
  • Cotsworth L25S scrambles (1959-1962)
  • M25R Scrambler and M25RS (1963-1966)