LOT 480

1929 James 3½hp Sport Registration no. MW 5284 Frame no. DP2152 Engine no. 5T2394

Sold for £12,650 inc. premium

Lot 480

1929 James 3½hp Sport
Registration no. MW 5284 Frame no. DP2152 Engine no. 5T2394

The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1929 James 3½hp Sport
Registration no. MW 5284
Frame no. DP2152
Engine no. 5T2394

Like so many famous and not so famous motorcycle firms, that founded by Harry James in 1880 started out as a bicycle manufacturer. Based in Birmingham, the James Cycle Company built its first motorcycle, a Minerva-powered machine, in 1902. The first model to be powered by James's own engine followed in 1908, with two-stroke, sidevalve, overhead-valve, single-cylinder and twin-cylinder models featuring in the range before the end of the 1920s. From the mid-1930s onwards James began concentrating on the lightweight two-strokes for which it is best remembered but before then the top-of-the-range 3½hp (499cc) v-twin was being built in sidevalve and overhead-valve forms, and there was even a speedway version of the latter.

This twin-cylinder James was bought by the current owner in 1988 at an auction after being found in a shed in Reading. The bike was complete, and after re-commissioning and rewinding the magneto was found to run quite well. In 1929 the James cost £56 and came with a hand-change three-speed gearbox. Lubrication is total loss via a Pilgrim pump with an additional plunger pump in the fuel tank. Unregistered, the James was ridden only on private roads. In 2017, thanks to the VMCC's assistance, the original registration number was retrieved. The machine was last run on the road just before lockdown, and in the garage a couple of months ago. Offered with a V5C document.

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness, and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

The engine number is ST2394.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
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Please see the CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS AND GUIDE FOR BUYERS for all pertinent information including bidding, the Buyers Premium and other associated charges payable upon the Hammer Price of each lot, Post-sale collection, transportation and shipping of lots.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Buyers Premium and Charges
Memorabilia and Spares
For Memorabilia and Spares (Lots 101-238) the Buyers Premium is 27.5% on the first £10,000 of the hammer price; 25% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £10,000 up to and including £450,000; 20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £450,000 up to and including £4,000,000 and 13.9% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,000,000.
Motorcycles
For Motorcycles (Lots 1-75 & 301- 527) the Buyers Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
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Shipping Notices
POST SALE COLLECTION AND SHIPPING INFORMATION
Motorcycle Spares and Memorabilia (Lots 101 to 238)
All purchased lots must be cleared from the sale venue by 7pm Sunday 10 October 2021. All un-collected purchased lots shall then be removed to Bonhams storage facility at:
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Oxon
OX26 5HA
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Storage Notices
POST SALE COLLECTION AND SHIPPING INFORMATION
Motorcycles (Lots 1 to 75 and 301 to 527)
All purchased lots must be cleared from the sale venue by 7pm Sunday 10 October.
Purchases can only be released once full settlement (inclusive of all charges) of all invoices issued to the buyer is received in cleared funds.
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Please email [email protected] with your collection or transport instructions as soon as possible following your successful bid.
Failure to instruct Bonhams by the given time will result in your vehicle being uplifted to Moving Motorcycles Northamptonshire store at your expense.
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8 Williams Way
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NN29 7RQ
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Lots will be available for collection from Moving Motorcycles from 12 noon Tuesday 12 October, by appointment only.
Vehicle Removal charges to store
£115 plus VAT per motorcycle
£230 plus VAT per motorcycle combination
Storage charges
£10.00 plus VAT per day per motorcycle
£16.00 plus VAT per day per motorcycle combination
Transport and Shipping
Representatives of Moving Motorcycles and Shippio will be at the Sale and can arrange national and international transportation as agent for the Buyer or the Seller (as the case may be).
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