James Military Lightweight (ML) 1944

            

The James Cycle Company Ltd of Greet, Birmingham became involved in motorcycle production again in 1942. Initially the James ML was designed with the need for a lightweight motorcycle for the British airborne forces. The James ML was delivered to the British army in March 1943 with models allocated to airborne and assault formations. The James ML was 26lb heavier than the Royal Enfield Flying Flea and, as a result,  the James ML equipped assault and ground units. It became known as the "mechanical sheepdog" at the D-Day landings in June 1944. It was also called the "Clockwork mouse".

Background

My James Military Lightweight (ML) was purchased in September in April 2020 as a lockdown project  to complement the Flying Flea. It arrived on a pallet.

The restoration

The restoration involved a complete strip down and engine rebuild. I was able to source parts over 12 months. The images show the stages in  restoration.

                         

             

    

    

                             

The James ML alongside the 

Royal Enfield Flying Flea.

   

I aim to complete the James ML restoration in 2022. The video below shows the James ML in its current state.

I have used the following during the restoration of the James ML

Colin Yates at Desmo engineering, Waterloo, Liverpool - engine rebuild

Metal Magic - quality repro parts for James ML and others https://wdmotorcyclespares.co.uk/

Villiers Services - engine parts for James ML Villieres 9D engine https://villiersservices.co.uk/

Vehicle history

I purchased the James ML from Mark Blakestone in Driffield, North Yorkshire. The bike had previously been owned by his father.

Vehicle service history

Frame no. 7828 *Contract No. S7113 1944

War Department number C.5855428

Production history

6,353 James ML were produced from 5th February 1943 until July 1944.

Specification

This information is taken from

http://simplywizard.co.uk/folders/specsht/mlss.htm

Frame numbering	Prefix ML - xxx
Engine	Villiers Mk. 9D Capacity 125cc.  50mm x 62mm
Gears	Three speed with hand change on the petrol tank.
Frame	Single downtube with rigid rear.
Forks	Pressed steel girder type. Single, central undamped spring.
Tyres	2.75" x 19"
Tyre pressures	Front 20 lbs.psi.  Rear 25lb. psi.
Wheel rims	Dunlop WMO 36 hole.  Silver painted (Argenized)
Ignition timing	5/16" before top dead centre.
Points gap	0.015"
Plug gap
Plug type	18mm thread size
Carburettor	Villiers L/W Type (W.D. bikes: Villiers 3/1)
Jet size	No.3
Needle	No. 3
Needle setting	2 27/ 64" from tip of needle to bottom of slide
Tank capacity	2¼ gallons approximately.  Use of unleaded fuel will cause no problems
Petroil mixture	16:1 as originally specified. Can be safely reduced to 20:1 with modern oils.
Gearbox capacity	Remove oil level screw on side of engine casing and oil filler screw on top of casing.  Fill oil through the filler opening until oil begins to run out through the level plug hole. The correct level of oil is then assured.  Check it regularly.  Castrol "D"  SAE 140
Chaincase capacity	Fill to level plug. SAE 140 .
Chains	Primary chain: 58 links Final drive chain:  ½" pitch x 105 links
Sprockets	Engine: (crankshaft) 19 teeth  ⅜" pitch.(Villiers pt. no. E4007) Gearbox (final drive) 12 teeth ½" pitch (Villiers pt. no. D 4781)
Brakes	4" front.  5" rear
Bulbs	Main bulb:  6v - 18 / 18 w   or  24/24w

Sources

Maintenance manual and instruction book motor cycle, solo 125 cc Two stroke The famous James ML      Book No. 101/JMI

A list of spare and replacement parts for the famous James 125 cc Two stroke motorcycle Model M.L 

British Forces Motorcycles 1925-45 (2017) Chris Orchard and Steve Madden                                  * Source for James ML service history

The famous James Military Lightweight (2016) Peter Miller