HQsignals

Going through some repro manuals for the ML, I was wondering how the steering spindle exactly locks the handlebars? Is there a nut, or thread on the bottom side of the headstem ? kind regards, Bjorn

Ah great. Thanks for the info.

Great Ron, I will give them a call once I find some time to work on the ML. Picked the ML up today with the owner, and had little time to inspect it further today. I might seem to spot a very very faint trace of the ML number , right where it should be, but almost unreadible. Difficult to make out from what date the motorcycle is then. I also spotted on the 'AAAxxxxx' engine (pre-war? or pre 03/'43?), that it was fitted with the villiers 3/1 carb. Right next to the '3/1' mark on top of the carb where the air filter connects it has the numbers '3418' stamped. Seems like this has been done manually. Is this done with all ML carbs? I was wondering if that could bear a relation to the frame number. regards, Bjorn.

Just a quick question: Is Terry from Metal Magic still making parts for ML's these days? I tried e-mailing a while ago but have had no response so far. regards, B.

thx for the info! I've seen a photo of your motorcycle on the forum before, a very nice example indeed! ( and well restored).

This would explain a lot. Now considdering the frame of the motorcycle I have posted ; The frame itself has some military features (footpegs, stand,..) , on the head lug I could not find any marking while I was there except the inspector stamp '6416'. The current owner has further removed the paint on the head lug, but has come up with no framenumber whatsoever. So I was wondering if it could be a military spec build frame that was left over or returned to the factory and fitted with a later model steering handle. But then again, a framenumber would be on the head lug. I'm interested to know. Anyway, I have agreed with the owner to purchase the motorcycle. Overhere James ML are quite rare, even civvy ones. It will be a nice project. Biggest problem will be the wheels.

Not what I was expecting Ron. Could it perhaps be that the factory had a few thousand frames made as the WD order got in to which your ML belongs, and took just one out of their stock during assembly? The James ML on the photo's for which I started this topic has seat lug number 1 135 for example ,but I don't know the framenumber. Post-war steering assembly , but wartime stand and footpegs,.. and on this picture of a civilianised ML with AAAxxxxA engine number , it believe you can see the first number '1' or '4'; https://oldthumpers.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/06092010109.jpg Any other ML owners who want to give their numbers? Regards, Bjorn

I have checked some pictures of ML's on the internet and have indeed a suspicion that the seat lug numbers seem to match the framenumber within a reasonable difference. for example ; Stefano's ML of which the restoration thread can be found on this forum, seat lug number : 558 (?) , framenumber: ML515. looking forward to know your's Ron! regards, Bjorn

I figured out that the number on the head stem is apperently the number of the inspector at the factory. '6416', possibly an 'M' added above this number. ( and even with arrow) The number 1135 seems to be different on all ML motorcycles, so I wonder what it means, as it is not the framenumber but I believe it to be quite unique for each motorcycle.

Ian ; Both numbers seem to be correct for a ww2 ML. The framenumber is near the end of the first military contract in 1943, going from framenumbers ML2 to aprox. ML3500. The AAAxxxxxA engine number is what it should be for a WD ML. As for the ML I was talking about in this thread, I left this one with its current owner as it is likely to be post-war. So the hunt for a wartime ML, flea or other light motorcycle used by the british forces, continues. If anyone has something for sale or has a lead, just let me know ;-)

Checked left and right side of the headstock by taking away some of the paint (same positions checked as your picture shows) but no numbers to be found there so far.

Went to have a look at the motorcycle today. Searched for the framenumber on the head stem, but aside the previous mentioned number '6416' , I did not find any numbers on the head stem. The only number I could find , ' 1 135', was beneath the seat on the frame; This number was painted over, so it might have been there before the frame was painted black. here some other pictures:

Thanks for the quick response everyone! @ Ron : very nice James! Upcomming sunday I am going to get a closer look at the motorcycle. I was indeed a confused about the missing 'ML' numbers. Perhaps someone has inserted these number to create a 'new' framenumber. Taken all this information in account, I get the idea that this motorcycle might be a post-war model, as it has some of the post-war features.We'll see. I will keep you guys updated. note : I noticed from the pictures that it has a wrong front wheel hub. Would it be difficult to find a goof hub? cheers again on the info!

Hi all, I am currently seeking info on a James ML that I am going to see next weekend. From the current owner I have received some photographs and information. The 9D engine number is 'AAA11258' , note that this is missing last 'A' in the enginenumber. ( AAAxxxxxA) The James ML framenumber is '6416' , from the pictures I have received the is no other marking to be seen (no 'ML' in front of the framenumber as I believe their should be? ). So is wartime (WD?) or a postwar model? And what about the engine? My opinion is that the engine is pre-war or ok for wartime produced, but not specificly made for the James ML and that the bike, altough some post war resemblance, might be a wartime WD bike if the framenumber would be ML6416 instead of 6416. Not to sure about this tough.. regards, Bjorn

Hi All, my name is Bjorn, 27 and interested in the 1940-1945 period. My main interest goes to all kind of british used equipment. So far I have occupied myself with ww2 british radio equipment, restoring it etc.. I also am interested in vehicles from this period. I have used this forum in the past as a reference for some good information, and I believed that it was time to make an account, so here we are. kind regards, Bjorn