James L25 Commodore - Specifications & Review

Company History

James Cycle Co. supplied Britain with honest, light motorcycles from the early 1900s into the 1960s, often powered by Villiers two-strokes. The firm’s commuter singles put workers on the road affordably, while competition variants earned respect in trials, where low weight and tractable delivery mattered more than outright power. Post-war, James became part of Associated Motor Cycles (AMC), sharing components and dealer networks with AJS/Matchless. As cars became accessible and Japanese bikes raised the performance/quality bar, James faded, leaving behind a loyal vintage following. The bikes’ appeal today is clarity: simple magnetos, straightforward gearboxes, narrow tyres that teach smoothness. Historically, James stands for the British lightweight that did daily duty between wars—transport first, hobby second. Preserved examples remind riders that 8–12 horsepower can be deeply satisfying when the chassis talks and the roads are intimate.