‘Big Jim’ is a 1951 James Captain de Luxe. It is powered by the top Villiers engine of the day, the 197cc Model 6E driving a 3-speed gearbox. It was James’ top of the range bike that year and was the first James to sport rear suspension.
It has an odd and rather basic 6V rectified lighting system. Electronics were in their infancy and weren’t up to keeping the battery charged on long night runs, hence the peculiar light switch with its Off–P-H-Direct markings. Off, P(ark) and H(ead) are fairly self-explanatory but Direct requires explanation. Direct bypasses the whole charging system so the lights are run directly (get it?) from the lighting coils, thus avoiding running down the battery.
Only those of us with a history of riding ancient two-strokes know the pleasures of direct lighting. The bliss of waxing and waning lights as the revs rise and fall. The blipping of the throttle at traffic lights, hoping those coming up behind will see the erratic glimmer. With Big Jim’s system you flick between H and Direct on long night runs, thus minimising battery usage and getting maximum benefit from the battery charge. You have a steady light for town work on H, and direct lighting on D between towns
