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£1,700
1961 James Commando, 249 cc. Registration number VPM231. Frame number BL25T 239. Engine number 25C 16441.
Harry James began making Ordinary bicycles (Penny Farthings) in around 1880. The first James motorcycles did not appear until 1902 with the model A which was a motorised bicycle fitted with a Minerva engine, clipped forward of the front down tube, which drove the rear wheel via a twisted leather belt. In the early fifties the company was bought by A.M.C. and they also bought the Francis-Barnett company and the next few years saw considerable badge-engineering although, right to the end, each make kept some models distinct from the other.
A full range of models was produced through the fifties and sixties in capacities up to 250cc
James added trials and scrambles models to its post-war range in 1949. These early types used Villiers 6E and 7E engines and had rigid frames but by the end of the 1950's James competition models sported swinging-arm frames and the AMC engine.
VPM was first registered on the 22nd September 1961 to Eric Styles of Lewes in Sussex, selling it the following year to Stephen Hookey of Westerham in Kent. Patrick Linford of Ware was the next owner and he sold it to our vendor on the 31 January 1995 for £1,350. In relatively good condition (see photograph on file), our vendor used it sparingly and has since restored it. Unused for many years it will some light recommissioning before use in pre 1965 trials.
Sold with the R.F. 60, V5, 1995 receipt and a photograph.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
20% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
23.6% inc VAT*
