1919 James Gents Tricycle
This rare James Gent’s trike has reverse – it’s fixed gear so you can either pedal forwards or pedal backwards.
Unlike many tricycles of the era, being quite a long wheelbase model, it feels very steady when you ride it.
I’ve even ridden it off-road and surprised myself by how I could throw it around.
I think the paintwork is original, though it might have been repainted a long time ago.
The head badge is still there in all its glory. I’m not sure if the Dunlop rubber saddle is a later addition.
The brake set up is interesting – it has two brakes on the front, a caliper and a drum brake.
I couldn’t find a Gent’s model (ie with a crossbar) in earlier James catalogues. I’ve not yet found a catalogue for this year, but will add more details when I come across one.
