My first, last, only motorcycle was a 1947 Famous James. It had a 2-cycle Villers engine. The famous James was an English lightweight that had a fat gas tank that made people think it was a big cycle. Well, at least they did until they looked under the gas tank and saw that little bitty engine. It had a 3-speed on the right side of the tank, but most of the time that I had it, the first gear didn't work very well. Neither did the engine, which was about worn out. Sometimes I had to push start it.

No, let me back off slightly. The FJ was the only motorcycle I ever had when I was a kid, but the 1966 Benelli in my collection is technically a motorcycle. Unlike my scooters, it has big wheels and four speeds.

So what did my friends call the Famous James? Yep, it was Notorious James. I suppose it was notorious for conking out so much.
Howard