DOT 'Devoid of Trouble' Classic Motorcycles

A famous name in motorcycling, Dot trace their roots to 1903 when Harry Reed set up as a cycle builder in Salford. By 1906 Reed had built a motorcycle which he rode to claim the World Championship for the Flying Kilometre at Blackpool and in 1908 Reed won the multi-cylinder class in the Isle of Man TT on his Dot. Dot had many other competition successes until motorcycle production ceased temporarily in the early 1930’s.

Under the new ownership of Burnard Scott Wade and on the back of the commercial success of 3-wheel cycle and motor delivery trucks which he designed, Dot went back into motorcycle production after WWII, developing machines powered by Villiers Two Stroke engines.

Again Dot tasted racing glory by winning the Manufacturer’s Team Prize in the 1951 Ultra-Lightweight TT but became more famous for their range of lightweight Scrambles and Trials bikes. Aggressively ridden these superb handling Dot bikes beat machines 2 and 3 times their size from the major manufacturers such as BSA, Matchless, Royal Enfield and Triumph and lead to the lighter, more manoeuvrable competition machines of today.

Dot effectively ceased production in the 1960’s although the company and factory still exist, adjacent to the Mancunian Way/Chester Road at Hulme in Manchester and still supply spares and advice to Dot owners all over the world.

Bike	Image	Description
DOT Motor Truck		The Dot Cycle and Motor Manufacturing Company were established in 1903 by Harry Reed in Salford, Manchester. (UK). By 1906 the company produced motorcycles and up until the early 1930's when they temporarily ceased manufacturer, won many competitions. After World War II and under new ownership of Burnard Scott Wade, the company broke into the 3-wheeled market. The Dot Motor truck was essentially the rear half of a Dot motorcycle with a modified front section. The vehicle was powered by a 197cc Villiers two-stroke engine that provided power to the back wheel via a chain. The front of the vehicle was modified in several ways so that it provided various bodies that made it a truck, ice cream van and motorised rickshaw. The rickshaw featured a a large body at the front that two passengers could sit in with a large windscreen. Production of the 3-wheelers ceased in the late 1950's and the company ceased trading all together in the 1960s. This picture was kindly provided by www.3wheelers.com.
1924 DOT Bradshaw
1950 DOT RS
1953 DOT TDHX4
1954 DOT SDHX4P
1956 DOT Green, 197cc
1956 DOT Mancunian		Image provided by www.dot-motorcycle-club.co.uk.
1960 DOT Demon Scrambler
196 DOT Trials 32A
1966 DOT Square Frame