s.staffordsman

Since it has to go really soon, I am now looking to accept offers between £4250 / £4500. Please dont hesitate to contact me in pm. 

For sale. 1944 James ML.

Not a post-war vehicle turned into wartime one, but a genuine wartime bike. Frame number is ML8439, engine number is AAA27776A.

One of the last ones of the last contract, S.7113, Frame numbers from ML7001 to ML8500, at the price of £33.15s. Contact was actually for 3000 bikes, but cancelled after 1500 made. 

I aqcuired the bike in july 2007 in its post war, maroon colour livery, with some post-war, civvy modifications. Turned it back into its original WW2 trim, with the exception of some small items which I will post in a list down below. Took the bike apart, repainted it and put some work into it, and had it back up to as it is in the pictures. I had it MOT’d in Dagenham in July 2010.

I have all the original documentation with the vehicle, previous owners etc, dating back to May 1949, when it was aqcuired from the army by a Motorcycle store somehwere in the UK. I am, as far as I can tell, the 6th or 7th owner since. 

Bike is currently not running, as the throttle cable is broken, but I will fix that prior to delivery or collection. Otherwise the bike runs fine and perfectly.

It has its original 1949 civvy registration.. And its transferable. Its value is estimated at around £1500.

some of the original green paint can still be seen on the handlebars, as in the picture.

The list of items NOT original, but as per original spec (i.e. replica);

-Blackout cover

-Lever on handlebars as to loosen it for folding / transport

-Horn (not functional)

-Webbing WD type handles on handlebars

-Kickstand

List of items not present or would need changing in order to bring it back to original condition;

-All the cables. I have fitted cabling to make it functional, but without the fabric cover.

-Copper fuel lines. The fuel line from the tank to the engine needs changing to the proper copper tubing.

-Valve release handle. The valve release is in place, you would just need the little handle and a cable to make it functional. 

-Lighting. The lighting needs fixing and maybe rewiring. It is not working at the moment. 

-Lid on toolbox. The toolbox itsself is 100% original, however somewhere down the line someone must have lost the lid, which is now replaced with a simple cover of a jar.

All of the other items are fully original (not reproductions) as per WWII spec. Handlebars, folding footrests, folding kickstarter, fillercap with release valve etc. Comes with all the spares, tools, (repro) booklets, guides and transfers as in the pictures.

Also note that, yes the rear mudguard is the long “civvy” version, however, there are clues as to the last production having them introduced at some point. One example of an unrestored, fully original WD spec bike in its fully original trim, owned in Holland, with a long mudguard exactly as on this bike. Its framenumber stems from the same contract. (Pic can be provided later).

This bike has given me lots of fun and is (was) a pleasure to drive, and I hope it will bring the same for its new owner.

Price is £4500 ONO

Bike is located in Holland. Could and would deliver to South of UK (Folkestone / Dover area) or arouNd ports of Harwich or Hull for just the ferry / chunnel refund. 

Please don’t hesitate to ask me for additional pics and / or information.

Thanks tony,

No worries there then, got all the original registration back to 1948...

Thanks

I may be stupid but... Does this go for m/c as well?

can't make out of the article since it first mentions classic cars, then later on

they mention classic vehicles...

I am looking for a stellarfilter or a metafilter type 2 or mf901 like the ones

used on the bedford mwc waterbowser. I hope someone can help me out...

Best wishes,

S.staffordsman

What happened to this trailer in the end? Anyone?

Hi Steve,

First of all, I really appreciate someone like you joining this forum!

The photo's on the page were made by l/cpl McFarlane, 1st A/B signals in Arnhem with his own camera, during the battle, they come from the Hartenstein... The Bren carrier in the foreground is definetely a A/B conversion (no cover plate for the rear axle) and the Harley is a dutch civvy bike with dutch registration plate which they probably requisitioned. It's actually from the dutch technical motorway assistance. The trolley in the brencarrier with the wheels sticking in the air is also a Airborne folding trolley. I know it's still not a para riding it, but there is a lot of evidence that this picture that it was made during the battle...

Anyway, nice to get to speak through you on this forum!

Maarten

Hi Steve,

I am sorry I have to correct you on this, but there actually is one photo of a James in use with A/B forces. It's in Arnhem during the attack of South-staffs and 1 and 3 para to arnhem on the 19th of sept. 1944. It's laying on it's side, and there's a civvy Harley standing next to it from the dutch AA.

See here, bottom photo.

http://www.google.nl/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vriendenairbornemuseum.nl/IMG_0002.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.vriendenairbornemuseum.nl/battlefield_walk_2010.htm&usg=___z6cqkQitslkGyL8H7DPTPi-IB8=&h=457&w=640&sz=62&hl=nl&start=47&sig2=WyqmoeO5nIGjn9pyEjXtJg&zoom=0&itbs=1&tbnid=dP4pzkEZvJahvM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=137&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfoto%2Bbrencarrier%2Barnhem%26start%3D40%26hl%3Dnl%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2GPEA_nl%26ndsp%3D20%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D624%26tbm%3Disch&ei=5lPBTYyJB8nsOcHX8ewE

I have just about restored my James now, i've been driving it, and they go really well...

now, if I can just find out how to put some pictures on here.....

Hi there,

Got a lot further with the technical bits & bobs on my James. Now one of the last things i'd like to know is where to attach the springs from the kickstand to the frame? anyone got some pictures or some explanation?

Best wishes

Brake light? they were never fitted with a brake light?

Does this mean I have to make one myself?

and taxed and insured shouldn't be a problem,

what's a v5 document?

P.s. Nigel, I am the Dutch englishman from Bussum..

Best wishes

Hi there,

I own a 1944 James ML 125 cc Motorbike.

It still retains i'ts original registration since 1948.

It is not classified as non-transferrable.

I want to flog the registration number (ends with 100) so I can bring it back to, and register it in holland, but I understand i need to have it MOT'd first before I can transfer the registration onto another (MOT'd) vehicle. Is this true? and do I need to get a whole MOT just like on a modern bike, or are there exceptions?

Can anyone help me out? In Holland it would only need a simple type-approval (lights, brakes, tyres).

Best wishes,

Maarten van Vugt

Also looking for the copper fuel line from tank to carburettor, not the leveller. Thanks

hi there, i am maarten from Holland and proud owner of a 1944 james ml fr.no. 8439. i am currently planning restoration, but, probably like the rest of you, i am missing some parts. hope you guys can help me out. for starters, i am looking for the flywheel cover screws.. anybody? thanks