The history of the company

will the story starts way back in 1880 Harry James decided to products Bicycles,the company got better and better and the company was floated on the stock market in 1897 with Harry James as first managing director he later retired in 1898.there was a few years gap before anything new happen but in 1902 the first motorcycle was producted which was basically a motorised bicycle with a Minerva engine fitted on the front of the downtube,driving the rear wheel via twisted leather belt this Model A.
then there was a model B of 1902 were fitted with a Derby motor fitted within the triangler frame,driving the rear wheel via friction roller.from 1903 the James fitted the Minerva engine till 1904 when they changed to F.N engines they bolted them into the first loop frame,which provided a sturdier mounting for the engines.
there were a few years gap again before there was any new models in 1908 James produced the "safety"model in collaboration with an enginner named Renouf. Both wheels fitted to outrigger spindles with internal expanding brake shoes.the engine was a work of art the inlet and outlet values work one inside the other,outlet value was described as "tulip shaped" a lever regulated the speed of the engine,the seat was a saddle type with long leaf springs.
The Model was redone in 1910-11 with the first saddle fuel tank,but both models were not a commercial success and were dropped and in 1913 the first two-stroke engined bike appeared
and James had made a reputation making well made and sturdy machines,with models suitable for soloriding or sidecar work.
Then came the First World War and James started to make bikes for the military services this wouldn't be the first time they make military machines.
After the First World War production picked up and built up a model range of well made machines which soon got reputation for this.
In 1928 show overhead valves and side-valves in all capacity ranges.In 1928-31 the "speedway" model with a 500cc V-twin,ohv engine the was lighted and strenghtened frame.It was fitted with a all metal clutch and got a reputation by competition riders for it's ability to endue sustained abuse without fade.
In 1934 James decided to build only lightweight two-strokes which had sold well though the bad years in 30s.
Next came the Second World War which saw James building an autocycle for government and The James ML (MILITARY LIGHTWEIGHT) designed from a pre-war design adapted for military use with the intention that it be dropped out of an aircraft (like a Dakota or DC3)for use in the period after D-day to allow airborne troops greater mobility between the lines,It was nicknamed by troops as the Clockwork Mouse.
The days after the war weren't as easy as the First World War as there was a raw materials shortages and all company's not just James had to sell vehicles for Export only and autocycle and M.L carried on till 1949 when new models became available.
By the early fifties the company was brought by A.M.C the makers of Matchless and AJS motorcycles.The A.M.C company brought Francis Barnett which will be teamed up with James right to the end in 1966 but before that James had a few more models of bikes for a few years which were considered badge-engineered models, although right to the end ,each kept some models distinct from the other.
there were a full range of models through the fifties and sixties in capacities up to 250cc and even a scooter that try to capture some of that market had blossomed in the late fifties it was going against vespa and lambettas but unfortunately it was the wrong design too late and though a wonderful machine it must have cost the company dear development and the company closed up in 1966 along with francis barnett two great motorbiking name lost forever.