James’s final V-twins

THE SPECIALIST

James must be among the more common classic marques but, perhaps surprisingly, does not have a specific owners’ club. However, there are groups of enthusiasts meeting virtually via websites and Facebook groups, or in various umbrella organisations, that offer owners and enthusiasts advice. It’s thanks to David Wells from one such group who helped enormously with his detailed knowledge of the

V-twin models.

■ James Motorcycles – Facebook Group

■ www.simplywizard.co.uk – a James-specific web site

MODEL HISTORY

A serious factory fire in August 1920 halted James motorcycle production for a couple of years. In 1922, the company was back, offering a broad range of machines and with most of their component parts, even gearboxes, made in-house. Included in the range was a 500cc side-valve V-twin, an unusual format for a half-litre motorcycle. Continuing the standards of quality for which the ‘Famous James’ brand had become known, it was offered as a solo or with a (James-produced) sidecar.

As a range stalwart, it justified an updated engine for 1929. The new bottom-end assembly became the basis for the sidevalve Sports 500 and side-valve and overhead-valve (ohv) Super Sports versions. There was also a Speedway model with modified cycle parts and a tuned engine. Although James was not a manufacturer known for racetrack glories, it could not resist the national frenzy that followed 1928’s launch of dirt-track racing, soon termed ‘speedway’.

All three versions continued for 1930. By then, the Speedway proved uncompetitive, so was dropped. For 1931, the side-valve, painted accordingly, became the Grey Ghost and the ohv the Flying Ace, but by 1933 the side-valve, now called the Flying Ghost was the only V-twin in the catalogue and at the end of 1935 James ceased all four-stroke manufacture.