The Famous James Military Lightweight by Miller Peter

Author:Miller, Peter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amberley Publishing
Published: 2016-04-10T16:00:00+00:00

The order card (contract S1718) for the first James ML prototype. The card appears to be a replacement and provides less information than usual, although both the frame and engine number are quoted. These appear to be part of a pre-war sequence, although there are no prefix letters.

Testing demonstrated the prototype ML to be suitable for its intended role, but identified a number of required minor modifications. These were incorporated into the design and a further twelve prototype machines ordered under contact S1833. The order card is dated 11 May 1943, by which time several hundred production MLs would have been supplied. The machines were distributed to various airborne and assault units for evaluation. The performance of the machines was considered to meet requirements, although a further number of minor modifications were identified. These included a shortened rear mudguard to reduce the likelihood of damage.

Production Modifications

No major modifications were required to the pre-war civilian 122cc Model K17 to transform it into the ML. However, numerous detailed changes were made and include:

Removal of leg shields.

Removal of front and rear number plates.

Revised centre stand, less likely to sink into soft ground.

Replacement of rubber handlebar grips with canvas.

Use of folding metal foot pedals.

Use of alternative, tubular, tool box.

Replacement of headlamp by Lucas D42 unit with blackout mask.

Replacement of rear light by Lucas L-WD-MCT1 unit suitable for convoy duties.

Shortened rear mudguard.

Replacement of handlebar clamp bolt by tommy-bar to facilitate twisting the handlebars.

Replacement of cast aluminium silencer by tubular steel expansion box and silencer.

Fitment of carburettor air filter.

Fitment of decompressor.

Closable air vent in fuel tank cap to avoid spillage during transportation.

Military colour scheme and markings.

Production Contracts

The first bulk order for ML models was for 3,540 machines placed under contract S1972, dated 29 December 1942. The contract card, held by the VMCC, notes that machines were to be supplied without a speedometer, but with a kick-starter, at a price of £31 17s 6d ex. works. By way of comparison, the pre-war price of the K17 was £25 10s. The required rate of delivery is specified with the first 200 machines to be supplied in March 1943, followed by 300 in April, 400 in May and 500 per month thereafter until completion. On this basis the final 140 machines would have been supplied in November. The WD census numbers allocated were C5146002 to C5149541 and corresponding frame numbers M2 to ML3541; the engine numbers are not identified.

The next contract, number S5571, was placed by the Admiralty and was for 200 machines, 100 of which were to be supplied to the War Department. The date recorded on the contract card is an uninformative 1943, although the contract number and the quoted delivery date in May 1944 suggest the contract was placed towards the end of the year. The census numbers for the WD machines are recorded as C55222209–C5522308, with corresponding frame numbers ML5209–ML5308.

Contract S6603, dated 4 May 1944, was for 900 machines to be delivered at a rate of 300 machines per month commencing in August 1944. The

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