Private company

James Cycle Co

Logo: James Cycles, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

British bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer

The James Cycle Co Ltd., Greet, Birmingham, England, was one of many British cycle and motorcycle makers based in the English Midlands, particularly Birmingham. Most of their light motorcycles, often with the characteristic maroon finish, used Villiers and, later, AMC two-stroke engines. James were prolific bicycle and motorcycle manufacturers from 1884 to 1966.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 20, 2026.

Overview

1880Founded1
  • HeadquartersBirmingham1
  • Legal formprivate limited company1

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1913 James 558 cc Side Valve fuel tank
Photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons5

The James Cycle Co Ltd., Greet, Birmingham, England, was one of many British cycle and motorcycle makers based in the English Midlands, particularly Birmingham. Most of their light motorcycles, often with the characteristic maroon finish, used Villiers and, later, AMC two-stroke engines.2

Corporate structure

James Cycle Co sits at the top of its group. 2 entities, 1 country on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

Built from subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0); major holders from Schedules 13D and 13G. Each entity in the chart links to its source.

What it owns

What James Cycle Co reports owning in its annual reports to the SEC: buildings, land and equipment, real estate and locations, investments, intangible assets and inventory, at the end of its latest fiscal year and a year before.

Stakes and holdings (Wikidata)

Things Wikidata records the company as owning, with the share when stated.1

The story

In 1884, Harold "Harry" James founded The James Cycle Company in Birmingham to manufacture bicycles. The first works were at 121 Constitution Hill. In 1890, the company relocated to a new factory at Sampson Road North in Sparkbrook. James Cycle was converted to a public limited company in May 1897. Harry James retired in 1898, and his partner Charles Hyde took over. Hyde introduced a freewheel mechanism that proved very popular.

In 1902, the company introduced its first motorcycles under the leadership of Fred Kimberley. The first machine was a moped that had foot pedals and a Werner engine powering the rear wheel through a friction roller. In 1908 the first "James Safety Model" was introduced, which used an engine designed by the James company and the first saddle fuel tank on a motorcycle.

From Wikipedia’s article on James Cycle Co, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Products and brands

James produced the 98 cc Autocycle, 98cc Comet, Commodore, also 1954/55 Colonel 225cc Villiers single cylinder, several Captains as well as trials and scrambles bikes. In 1956 they produced the Captain 200 K7, Cotswold 200 K7C, and Commando 200 K7T, all 197 cc.

From Wikipedia’s article on James Cycle Co, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Subsidiaries and ownership

Also owns

From Wikidata.1

Acquisitions

  1. 1930Acquired Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd1

Timeline

  1. 1966Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1930Acquisition Acquired Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd1
  3. 1880Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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