This long-lived firm was founded
in 1910 by William and Edward Douglas, two
former blacksmiths, in Bristol. After a
successful endurance test from John P'Groats
to Land's End (39 hours 40 mins) the Douglas
achieved almost instantaneous popularity
and by 1911 200 men were employed at the
Kingswood works. The Douglas flourished
in the 1920s and 1930s and was a great favourite
with speedway riders; the marque survived
until 1956. Douglas
motorcycle history.
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Description |
1912 Douglas N, 350cc |
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Douglas, renowned for the quality and
reliability of their machines, presented
this model N in 1912. It is equipped with
chain drive to a countershaft and secondary
belt drive. The horizontally opposed twin
has been improved by the addition of mechanically
operated intake valves (up to and including
1911 the intake valves had been automatic).
The improvements were crowned by a victory
in the 1912 Junior TT Race. Starting is
by means of pedals; the rear wheel is
equipped with a free wheel. Gear ratio
of this single speed machine is 5½
: 1. |
1920 Douglas W20, 348cc |
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This 1920 model is equipped with clutch,
kick starter and 3 speed gear. It has
a quite a few accessories, such as handlebar
mounted watch, speedometer, full Lucas
acetylene lighting, leather kneepads,
protective shield under crankcase, holder
for spare spark plugs and round leather
case for spare tube or belt. |
1922 Douglas 2 3/4 hp |
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| 1926 Douglas EW |
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- 4 stroke twin (fore 'n aft)
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- The brakes are 'servo' type
and the clutch is housed in
the external 'wheel' on the
left hand side of the engine
(runs at engine speed).
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1926 Douglas EW 350 ccm Flat-Twin
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Designed by Cyril Pullin and launched
at the Olympia Show in 1925, the EW
model was intended to benefit from the
road tax concessions available to lightweights,
and so weighed in at less than 200lbs.
In Typical Douglas fashion the newcomers's
power unit was a fore-and-aft flat twin;
in EW form a fixed-head side valve with
outside flywheel, hand and mechanical
oil pumps and BTH magneto ignition.
A gearbox mounted behind rather than
above the rear cylinder, all-chain drive
and decent sized drum brakes differentiated
the EW from its predecessors. An unusual
feature was the gearchange gate in the
centre of the petrol tank. Early examples
gained a reputation for unreliability
but the works made numerous improvements
and the model went on to achieve some
notable success in the popular reliability
trials of the period. |
1927 Douglas EW, 350cc |
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In 1925 the new E.W model was introduced;
the engine was updated and the cycle parts
were modernized, the main new feature
being the attractive sloping petrol tank
that replaced the flat parallel one used
for so many years. The gear change lever
of the 3-speed gearbox was now operated
through a slot in the tank. The famous
Douglas silver with blue panels colour
scheme was retained and the new model
attracted much attention at the Motor
Cycle Show, another attractive feature
being its modest price of £ 45.
The E.W. was immediately popular and continued
with modifications for several years.
This E.W is in nicely restored condition.
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1928 Douglas DT, 494cc |
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This machine had no brakes or clutch,
3 speed gearbox , special frame, dual
control twin carburettors and strengthened
rear wheel construction, to name just
a few dirt track specialities. Alcohol
fuel and a 14:1 compression ratio made
this a very fast machine. |
1928 Douglas SW5, 500cc |
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1931 Douglas F31, 500cc |
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1947 Douglas T35(Mk 1), 350cc |
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| 1950 Douglas T35 |
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350cc. |
| 1952 Douglas Mk5 |
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Douglas announced their new horizontally
opposed across the frame twin during
September 1945 with production of
the new model, typed the T35 Mk I
commencing in 1947. The new model
was notable not only for the engine
configuration but also the rolling
chassis which featured a pivoted fork
rear frame sprung with torsion bars
and leading link forks, typed "Radiadraulic"
by Douglas, with compression springs
and hydraulic damping.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
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| 1952 Douglas Mk5 |
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350cc. A revised model, benefiting
from improved cylinder heads developed
by Freddie Dixon was introduced during
1948, typed the Mk III, followed by
the Mk IV in 1950 with a revised rear
sub-frame and new toolboxes and the
Mk V, as offered here in 1951, which
featured a revised front mudguard and
mounting. |
| 1954 Douglas Mk4 |
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| 1954 Douglas Vespa Model G |
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125cc. |
| 1954 Douglas Dragonfly |
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- Frame Number 1198. Delivered to
Warrington 23/09/1954.
- Engine Number 8814/4. Originally
fitted to Mk 1V 03/08/1950.
- Gearbox Number 1786. Originally
fitted to Dragonfly 26/04 1957.
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Douglas Dragonfly - 1956 |
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Engine - 348cc, horizontally opposed
twin-cylinder four-stroke
Bore and Stroke - 60.8 x 60 mm
Launched - 1953-1956
Weight - 365lb
Carburettor - Amal Monobloc
Top Speed - 75 mph |
1957 Douglas Dragonfly, 350cc |
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The Dragonfly arrived in 1955 and featured
a revised engine with stronger crank case,
single carburettor and updated electrics
and ignition. The duplex frame employed
a conventional swinging arm with Girling
dampers in place of the preceding torsion
bar arrangement, while the Radiadraulic
front fork gave way to an Earles-type
leading link set up. |
1957 Douglas Dragonfly
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Introduced during 1955 the Dragonfly
featured a completely revised set
of cycle parts housing an engine that,
although clearly derived form the
earlier unit, had been refined. Consequently
a stiffer crankshaft assembly was
fitted to a stiffer set of crankcases.
A pivoted fork frame with conventional
shock absorbers and Earles forks housed
the power unit. Valanced mudguards
and a fuel tank which blended into
the fixed headlight housing endowed
the machine with clean lines.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
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