James motorcycles: books - history, models and technology

The Famous James Military Lightweight

Tells the story of the famous James ML military motorcycle which had originally been developed as a utility machine for the working man and was then modified for the military during World War II. The James ML was used for carrying messages on the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day landings, earning it lasting respect and affection.

The book covers the various military roles for the motorcycle, including airborne use and its various deployments. It also describes ML production after the end of the war when the reliability and ruggedness that it had displayed as a military machine proved effective in off-road competitions.

The author also presents a brief history of the James and Villiers companies and provides a background to the military decision to purchase lightweight motorcycles. He describes the evaluations and tests and compares the James ML with other motorcycles in the running.

The book includes a full list of specifications as well as colour schemes for both military and civilian models. Illustrated with colour and black and white illustrations from contemporary magazines such as Motor Cycling and The Motor Cycle, this book tells you all you need to know about this iconic motorcycle.