James Scooter

[Malcolm BeggParticipant @malcolmbegg82759]

I have tried everywhere to find a photo of a 1962 James 150cc Scooter air filter,I have the SC1 model which has the 3 speed gearbox,which I am in the process of restoring,however I do not have an air filter and I do not even know what it looks like,if anyone knows where I could possibly get a photo of the said air filter please let me know.

Here's hoping,

Thanks in advance

Malcolm

[Malcolm BeggParticipant @malcolmbegg82759]

Air Filter

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

Try the National Motor Cycle Museum they have a vast archive of hand books workshop manuals and a significant collection from the Bruce Main Smith collection – Robert Butler

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

I had a James scooter as my first mode ot motorised transport a few years ago, but I am sorry I can't remember the filter.

David

Edited By David George 1 on 26/03/2020 21:24:07

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[colin branniganParticipant @colinbrannigan54160]

Hi Malcolm,

I found a video on youtube of a James scooter and near the end you can just make out the air filter, not sure if this is your model.

**LINK**

Colin

[JAParticipant @ja]

Malcolm

Sell it now. They were absolute rubbish. The AMC two stroke engine was one of the worst engines ever produced (equal to the ABC Dragonfly). It was one of the reasons AMC went broke.

A friend at work bought one, new. It would not go up any hill in Bristol. He complained to the dealer who gave him his money back.

It was that bad.

I don’t think any used a Villiers engine.

JA

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

I wonder if that is the same engine I had in a excelsior 150. That was not a Villiers. The brass ring locators came out & broke the rings + scratched the bore. I made some new ones from 2ba brass screws filed down & got new rings from Startrites in Leeds. God that takes me back. Anyway with some porting & an Amel 376 carb it was great. Strong bottom end. Sure it was AMC. Ah I was 14 then. Also I think the air filter was one with a slide on it so you could choke the air. A rotary affair. EDIT No just watched that video. Totally different. If you are doing it up to concourse then I can see why you want one. If just to renovate then there are lots of small pancake types on ebay. I recently bought 4 for a GSXR750. 

Steve.

Edited By Steviegtr on 26/03/2020 23:06:04

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Plenty of pictures of James motorcycles on the 'net, amost all showing a "pancake" style filter – where one is fitted. The only image of a scooter that I could find is this one:

It's not very good quality but if you zoom in, it seems to show a perforated box-like structure which could be the air filter alongside the carburettor. Could this be the style and form for which you are searching?

John

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

Ignore the likes of JA. "Rubbish" or not, it's all worthy of restoration or forum's like this wouldn't even exist.

JA, would you walk up to a proud owner at a show and tell them their pride and joy was rubbish or only behind the safety of a forum? I suspect and hope you wouldn't be so crass.

I had a look through my James paperwork but couldn't find anything about the scooters, sorry.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[Tim HammondParticipant @timhammond72264]

Going back 60 years or so, I remember a mate of mine owned a James Captain with a 200cc AMC 2-stroke engine. Its main feature was a very loud exhaust, but it went well enough and seemed reliable – at least Jimmy never complained about it.

[JAParticipant @ja]

Jon & Bill

I would love to agree with you. I have never seen one and never expect to.

Sorry

JA

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Restoring them for shows and the odd club ride is a different thing from relying on them to get you to work every day!

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[Bob Unitt 1Participant @bobunitt1]

I passed my test (in 1963) on a James Cadet, as I blew the big-end on my Tiger Cub 3 days before the test was due.

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Bill (Chugg),

That's a very comprehensive parts list but about the only thing it doesn't show is the air filter! It does, however, list an air filter, connecting tube, sheild and flter adaptor, all of which seem to me to chime with the drawing I posted in my previous posting – if you use a bit of creative thinking.

s there not some sort of James scooter club somewhere that the OP could consult?

John

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

I believe John Harding is the Vintage Motorcycle Club marque specialist for Francis Barnet and James.

[Fowlers FuryParticipant @fowlersfury]

I still have (& must get rid of) all the issues of Motorcycle Scooter & Three-wheeler Mechanics, from No. 1 through to early1966.
At the back of my aged brain was that there had been an article on a strip-down of a James scooter. Having now searched through all those issues, the brain was clearly faulty again.
However there was a road test, just after the scooter's release. Like most magazine road tests in those days, they could find little to criticise – commending the scooter on its effortless hill-climbing ability !!!
Were the mag publishers too frightened then of losing advertising revenue from the manufacturers if they were critical of the machines?

Anyway if the OP wants a pdf of that test – for what it's worth – just PM me.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

We used to have an Albatross 250cc scooter. It was powered by a Villiers twin 2T. Went like stink. Wobbled well too. Remember the Triumph Tina 100. Tiny switch on dash to engage go.

Steve.

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