1921 AGA JAP Motorcycle 300cc sidevalve.
In good running order and DVLA registered.
By now, I’m sure you’re familiar with the research I carry out on the vehicles I offer for sale. But, just for a change, there’s very little I can tell you about the history of this particular motorcycle. It is so rare that it’s believed to be the only one of its marque in existence.
It sports a frame number 2! So there is not even much of a clue about how many were manufactured.
Like the bicycle manufacturing era immediately preceding it, in the first few decades of the 20th century many small engineering workshops around the country had a go at making their own motorcycles. They bought in proprietary engines – and JAP would have been a favourite – and assembled parts available from the new motor factor companies that were springing up, such as Brown Brothers. They were thus able to supply local demand and, rather than having to buy in motorcycles from established companies for small profit, were able to make more money by virtue of their motorcycle being home-built but with a well-known powerplant.
The previous owner used this motorcycle regularly, and only sold it because of his old age. The MOT expired recently.
It’s an older restoration, and is a very attractive machine of its period in good usable condition.
This 88-year-old machine should easily see in another 88 years of motoring.
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I’ve only been able to dig up a little regarding the AGA JAP. Firstly, Mr. Davidson sent the above picture to Old Bike Mart earlier this year and, understandably, their resident expert was not able to recognize the manufacturer. As it looks almost identical to the AGA JAP, at least we’ve put that record straight now 🙂
…Or have we? Below is a photo of a 1920 New Imperial Light Tourist, fitted with the same JAP 300cc engine.
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J.A. Prestwich Industries Ltd
Manufacturer of JAP Engines
The engine number of this AGA JAP is FN432. According to records, the prefix F denotes 300cc. Second letter N denotes a manufacture date of 1921.
Prestwich made his own JAP Motorcycles between 1904 to 1908, after which the company decided the motorcycle market was too competitive and that the supply of engines to other motorcycle manufacturers would be more lucrative. Bear in mind that, in the early days, companies started out by specializing in one particular area of engineering, production or sales; to make a motorcycle they often swapped their own parts with companies that made the other parts they needed.
So an engine manufacturer might supply their engines to a frame builder who’d make a motorcycle with the frame builder’s name on it. But when frames were sold back reciprocally to the engine supplier, the name that would appear on the finished motorcycle might be that of the engine manufacturer. This way, smaller companies were able to test the market without having to tool up to make everything.
JAP engines were fitted to early aircraft and cars, as well as dozens of different types of motorcycle. JAP was taken over by their main competitor, Villiers, after WW2.
Although JAP engines were used in speedway bikes into the sixties, in my opinion the most interesting latter-day JAP engine was the 50cc unit fitted to the Hercules Grey Wolf (Herc-u-Motor) in 1955.
For a more comprehensive view of the JAP-engined Herc-u-Motor,
please look at Page 11 of the Hercules Museum.
Eight decades later, of course, owning a veteran or vintage motorcycle with an engine common to many marques is a blessing, as it’s much easier to locate spares for it if they’re ever needed. As JAP’s were also fitted to Morgans there are even JAP engine specialists.
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A Gladstone bag will accompany the motorcycle when it’s sold. As you can see, there’s a front light inside, as well as tool pouches to fit to the rear carrier, and engine spares.
I do everything I can to make the purchase of my vintage vehicles
an enjoyable experience for you.
You can pay by paypal or cheque as required.
I arrange transport.
I can recommend clubs to provide advice and support,
and cheap collector’s insurance policies that are easy to set up.
My phone is manned daily to answer any questions.
Good luck in this auction
..and may the most expeditious presser of the place bid or buy-it-now button be the lucky winner 🙂
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PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BIDDING
OWNER: BuyVintage Online Auctions
LOCATION: Brighton, E.Sussex, United Kingdom
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DELIVERY is not included in this auction.
This means that it is not my responsibility,
BUT I can put you in touch with a delivery chap and organize collection;
you liaise with them direct re delivery and pay them separately.
Great Britain – delivery is ONLY £50 for this motorcycle to main parts of England;
extra to extremities such as Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, etc (and may take longer to arrive)
(Please email your postcode if you want to confirm price).
THIS BARGAIN PRICE DELIVERY IS ON A PART-LOAD BASIS.
(Collection when they’re in my area; delivery when in yours).
LOCAL DELIVERY FREE
If you want it fast, please organize your own collection.
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Ireland & N. Ireland – I’ll recommend some companies, but you’ll have to organize it yourself.
Europe – delivery is probably around €400 to Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, etc. I can recommend two companies.
North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc – I’ll organize all the crating and shipping for you.
PAYMENT: Paypal is okay for cheap items; otherwise deposit only on paypal please.
INTERNATIONAL PURCHASERS:
You must communicate with me before the end of the auction to discuss payment and shipping options.
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AFTER PURCHASE: Please email me your phone numbers; I prefer to speak to all purchasers personally.
I do everything I can to make your purchase a pleasurable experience.
I’ve been selling obscure vintage vehicles on ebay since 2002.
Sharing similar interests, I’ve become good friends with many of my customers.
Please feel free to email or phone with any comments or questions…
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VEHICLE CONDITION: Vintage vehicles are wonderful beasts
– but each has an individual personality and they sometimes have bad days just like you and me.
You will need basic mechanical skills (or a local mechanic) to use one on a regular basis.
Two-strokes invariably need basic servicing before starting them, if they’ve been left to stand for more than 3 weeks or so.
These are rare vehicles whose values are not necessarily based on running order.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE ABOVE, PLEASE DO NOT BID.
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you can contact Colin in our Customer Service Department between 9am and 7pm daily:
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