Old Bike Australasia: James Commando Trails - Little Jimmy the trials bike
The slowest branch of motorcycle sport – Observed Trials – has been dominated by trokes for well over half a century. Most prominently, Sammy Miller changed the perception of the required trials tackle when he swapped his big old 500cc Ariel four stroke for the Spanish Bultaco Sherpa that he helped develop into a near unbeatable force. But before that, riders of Greeves, Cotton, Francis Barnett, BSA, Sun and Norman British two stroke marques regularly challenged the four stroke supremacy. But just which of the ring-dings actually scored the first win in a major British trial. None of the above. It was the humble James J9 Commando, in the Travers Trial, ridden by works rider and later World Champion road racer Bill Lomas. In fact Lomas was the brains behind this very special machine, having designed and built it himself along with his other duties for the James factory that, prior to its takeover by the giant AMC concern, operated from Greet in Birmingham.
James began sniffing around the trials scene as far back as 1947, using almost standard military-spec 125cc ML models. Encouraged by their success, the factory decided to enter a team in the 1949 ISDT, and both Norman Palmer and John Brittain came home with gold medals. This called for an ISDT works replica; in fact two replicas, in 125cc and 197cc. The machines were still quite rudimentary however, and successes in the British trial scene were rare.
When Lomas left his employment at Royal Enfield, he was offered the chance to construct his own machine by the James management, which he did in his home workshop. Lomas applied ‘big bike’ thinking to his James, ditching the puny wheels and tyres and fitting the standard 4.00 x 19 rear and 2.75 x 21 front. He also offset the engine to gain clearance between the rear tyre and drive chain. He also produced his own hydraulically-damped front forks to replace the James un-damped forks. The Villiers engine also came in for the Lomas touch, with raised compression and mods to the ports resulting in an output of 10 hp at 5,000, running on the feeble 80-octane ‘pool’ petrol. A special exhaust system , heavier flywheels and a few other tweaks completed the specification, and in fact three Lomas bikes were built, ridden by Bill himself, Bill Thorne and Terry Reid with considerable success.
The little James, with its rigid (but light) frame, was indeed a weapon, and chalked up many more wins, including the prestigious Northern Experts. A replica, the Colonel, was listed by James for the 1952 model year, with the option of plunger rear suspension. With minor updates, the Colonel became the J9 Commando for the 1953 season, with a four-speed Albion gearbox.
By this stage swinging arm frames were considered de rigeuer and James followed suit, but in the opinion of most, including Lomas, the sprung frame flexed badly and was inferior to the original rigid. Lomas also pleaded with Villiers to supply the lightweight alloy barrel that was fitted to their chain saw engine, but in typical British fashion for the day, Villiers declined.
In 1955/6, Lomas, by now a World Champion for Moto Guzzi, was enjoying an end-of-season ‘Down Under’ tour with his Moto Guzzi team mate Dickie Dale, and accepted an invitation to compete in an Observed Trial in Adelaide. His mount was a borrowed James, and he won.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand…
Ramsay Macdonald is the proud owner of the James Commando featured here. He takes up the story.
“ Our late brother Maurice George Macdonald bought “Jimmy” from Adolph's Cycles and Motors in Rotorua, New Zealand in 1953 - Engine No. 374A-3698 Frame No. J9-000508. It came complete with plug-in headlight etc. I can still hear the characteristic “pop-pop-pop” of a high compression two stroke motor as he rode it down the hill home for the first time!
We fitted it with a 8" long induction stub with a 1 3/16 TT carburettor, for scrambling, plus a stub exhaust . Maurice raced Jimmy competitively around the Bay of Plenty, Waikato areas. Maurice bought my CB32 Gold Star when I got married, and sold Jimmy. He unfortunately suffered a fatal accident at Marton in 1957.
Some years later, I managed to get use of Jimmy, to ride in some trials. I managed second in the New Zealand A.C.U. North Island Sporting Trial, despite having to miss two complete sections on the Saturday, due to some spokes failing in the rear wheel which was rebuilt on Saturday night, with good results.
The highlight of Jimmy's record was winning the Scott Type Trial at McLeod's farm over at Te Puke in 1960. In that event we set Standard Time, Fastest Time, 1st in Observed Sections, 1st in Open Class, 1st in all Classes. This was against Gold Stars, Compy Matchies, you name it. Jimmy excelled in every section and every area of this Trial. Through the gate at Fowl House section, then up a very steep hill to the top of the quarry. The best part was coming down the steep hill, circled with deep sheep track ruts. Jimmy with the de-compressor valve, just flew past lumbering 4 strokes with their back brakes locked and slipping and sliding everywhere!
That little James, never missed a beat! I still have the miniature cups to remind me of the occasion. I think my brother Rod, has done a fantastic job of restoring Jimmy, it is a credit to his ability as a restorer of old and rare machines.”
Protect your JAMES. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
