J-P
JAMES
The pre-war James V-twins were very classy but by the mid-30s they were concentrating on lightweights. The company was taken over by AMC in 1951 and combined with Francis-Barnett in 1957. James was the budget brand, while FB had a better level of trim. Many of the later machines were badge engineered, though it was felt that the FB models were given a better level of finish than the James. The James were consequently cheaper by a considerable margin, not just than their stablemates but generally. In 1952 a 98cc James Cadet was two-thirds the price of a Royal Enfield 125. From the late 50s they suffered from the use of the AMC engine, though James did retain the 98cc Villiers engine for its Cadet. James contained little in the way of technological innovation or sophistication, though they were good, solid little bikes.
NORTON
One of the oldest builders of motorcycles in the UK, Norton had a “good war” making despatch bikes and were successful on the track when peace came. Racing didn’t fill the coffers however, and in 1953 AMC bought Norton. They kept production at the Bracebridge Street works in Birmingham. There, with antiquated machinery, they turned out side valve and OHV singles and an OHV twin that lasted in production in various forms until the 1970s. The big Norton selling point for much of the 50s and 60s was the quality of the cycle parts and frame design that outperformed pretty much everything else on the road. Nortons had an air of superiority and being largely hand built made them more expensive than their peers. They stayed in Birmingham for 10 years before manufacturing moved to the AMC factory in Plumstead. When AMC went under in 1966, Norton were packaged up with Villiers by new owners Manganese Bronze to create Norton Villiers. Engine production moved back to the Midlands in the Villiers factory in Wolverhampton, while the bikes were assembled at a new plant in Andover. They then became part of the new Norton Villiers Triumph company and Commando production continued until 1977. When NVT went under, Norton was reborn again, making Wankel engines for military drones developed from an original project for a BSA engine. They moved again, this time to Shenstone in the Midlands, where they built a series of Wankel-engined roadsters and racers until 1992. Spares specialists like Norvil and Andover Norton keep the twins on the road and parts for the rotaries and singles, while not exactly thick on the ground, are available. The owners’ club is a good source of parts and information.
PANTHER
Probably the most idiosyncratically British bike maker, Phelon & Moore manufactured Panther motorcycles in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire from 1904 to 1967. Their large, sloping single-cylinder engine was a relic of the past even in the 1950s. But their sheer unburstability and characterful thump is adored by their owners and they will go on for years, as Rover pistons are squeezed into the engines to take them for another 100,000 miles. The engine is a stressed member of the frame. This design spanned the entire history of the company, starting with a 500cc model and ending with a 645cc model. Everything about Panther is ponderous – even the factory took four years to finally close after going into receivership. They also built charming 250 and 350 singles and a cheap-as-chips Villiers-engined lightweight or two. With a fire-everylamppost engine the Panther attracts a passionate and eccentric following and there’s a great owners’ club, which is the best source of spares. Panthers are more likely to change hands among club members by word of mouth than through advertising.