Description
This motorcycle is Lot 147 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on 12 & 13 October, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 176 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024.
Lots 201 - 429 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th & 13th October 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 147
c. 1953 James 200cc Commando Trials
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. not located
Engine no. 627A 87396
James had begun concentrating on the manufacture of two-stroke lightweights in the 1930s and continued the policy after WW2. In 1951 the company became part of Associated Motor Cycles, joining Francis-Barnett. James's models were powered by Villiers engines at first, though from 1957 many used AMC's own engine. Trials and scrambles machines were added to the range in 1949. These early types used Villiers 6E and 7E engines and had rigid frames, but by the end of the 1950s James competition models sported swinging-arm frames and the AMC engine. Particularly worthwhile mentioning is future road-race World Champion Bill Lomas's win in the 1951 Travers Trophy Trial riding his modified James, which in replica form would emerge as the production model. Arguably the best rigid lightweight trials iron of its day, the Commando was updated with hydraulically damped front forks for 1953 but had to wait until 1956 to receive a swinging-arm frame. The AMC engine continued to be fitted to James roadsters until the end of production in 1966, but before then the trials and scrambles models had reverted to Villiers power.
This James is an older restoration in need of recommissioning. There are no documents with this Lot, which is sold strictly as viewed.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
