James Motorcycle Resources

Just some pointers for information or links to:

• The Correct James Red?
• James Frame Numbers
• Missing James Registration Number & V5/Logbook?
• Useful Reference Books
• The history of James Motorcycles and the different models
• James Parts Suppliers & Services
• Bike Clubs
• Forums for James owners
• Classic Motorcycle sales sites
• Classified Ads for Classic bikes
• Regular Bike Shows

 

The Correct James Red?

The correct red is a subject that is often requested and discussed on the James Facebook group and all other James motorcycle forums I've ever been on.

There is not a James factory specified colour code from that era and there are few accurate colour photos or colour accurate marketing material to help.

The standard answer is "Rover Damask Red" (also used by MG, the MGB GT for example) which was documented long ago by Alan Abrahams on www.simplywizard.co.uk.

However, it's not quite as simple as that because modern paints can show a slightly different colour due to their different reflective properties – glossy 2k paint that often looks lighter/brighter than older duller cellulose paint and the effect is even more pronounced if there has been a glossy clear coat on top as well.

Another common question is "Which RAL colour is closest".  I once found the RGB code for Damask red on an American MG forum (for an MGB GT) from somebody who had had the paint mixed and the supplier had given him the  code which was #88191F. The closest red to this (from https://encycolorpedia.com/88191f ) is RAL 3003 (Ruby Red).

(See https://www.ralcolorchart.com/ral-classic/red-hues for more info)

To complicate the situation, some people say that the factory themselves used different paint suppliers whose product varied in hue slightly.

So, as beauty is often said to be in the eye of the beholder, whatever shade of red you choose is up to you!

Other James Colours (from Simply Wizard)

What are the modern equivalents for the James paint colours ?

The following are the colours used by James from 1946 - 1966.

It is hoped that modern matches can be added to the list.  If you have recommendations please e-mail them to me.

WARNING !  Please satisfy yourself that the colour matches are suitable.  They are offered in good faith but cannot be guaranteed to satisfy everybody's idea of the perfect match !  Colour is VERY subjective.

James maroon - (British Leyland) Rover Damask Red
Martial Grey - late '50s - Du Pont: Slate Grey.  RAL 7015
Royal Blue - late '50s
Pastel Grey - late '50s
Seagull Grey - Colonel only
Stromboli Red  - early '60s - Ford Burgundy Red E7 FOR.2097 (D)
M15 Cadet Tank panel  - 1962 - 65 - BMW Chamonixweiss O85  BMW.O85(Y)
Riviera Blue -  Superswifts
Caribbean Blue - AMC Captains - Opel Monza Blue
Old English White - Scooter
Astral Blue - Scooter
Devon Red - Scooter
Peacock Blue - Scooter
Metallic Green - M16
Arden Green - Final L1 Comets - I.C.I. Ref.No. - PO30-NH77. 

Formulation for Arden Green paint.

As applied to the late James Comet L1 (1964).

I.C.I. Reference Number - PO30-NH77

PO30 - 9903 (221 grams)
PO30 - 9905 (895 grams)
PO30 - 9981 (339 grams)
PO30 - 9975 (1009 grams)
PO30 - 9964 (487 grams)

Tank panel blue - 1948 - 1951 - Volkswagen Beat Blue

 

James Frame Numbers

James Frame Numbers (downloadable excel sheet)

 

Missing James Registration Number & V5/Logbook?

Two options:

• Contact the British two stroke club

https://btsc2t.weebly.com/machine-dating.html

 

• Contact the Francis Barnet Club:

Francis Barnett Owners Club

John Harding

1 Flock Cottage

Hope Mansell

Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5TL

Tel: 01989 750731

Tel: 07973 889401

Email: johnharding197@live.co.uk

 

Useful Reference Books

      

James Motorcycle Information

Simply Wizard  - The best source of information about James Motorcycles

James Autocycles - Autocycles from James, and others

Villiers Info - lots of information about Villiers engines & carburettors (see also "Manuals and Literature")

Parts Suppliers

Villiers Services -  The largest stock of Villiers spares in the World. Reconditioning of Villiers engines. Re-lining of brake shoes

Villiers Parts - Villiers related parts and repair kits. Villiers carburettor and magneto reconditioning services.

Metal Magic   - some James ML spares

Bruce Main-Smith (Manuals) - Reproduction manuals from James and many others

Classic Transfers - Reproduction transfer from James and many others

VMCC James transfers - Reproduction transfer from James and many others