Douglas Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Prince Albert, foreground, and Prince Henry, at Cambridge University

Douglas Motorcycles

History of Douglas Motorcycles

04-Aug-23
pikupman215 at aol dot com
Hi there, I found this ad in a reprint of an April 1908 The Motor Cycle. I've looked on Google earth and the house is a (closed) Builders Merchants.
Hope this is of interest. John Welch.


Many thanks. Will update the Fairy page accordingly.
Fairy 1908 image posted to Comments.

09-Mar-2021
ivanden at hotmail.com
19 May 1914
Dear Sirs,
I have been lucky to find in a spanish antiquities market an old 1914 advert for Douglas motorcycling.It is from a supplement of " Motor Cycling" dated on 19-th May 1914. I have it on the original paper, framed and protected under glass. It appears also W.Harry Bashall who rode a Douglas to victory in the T.T. kn 1912 . Pure history.It is on sale . I attach photos .
Best regards
Denisse Ivana
Spain


Douglas-1914 image posted to Comments.

14-Jan-2021
desmondfmccann at hotmail.com
1925 O B
I wish to purchase a grease gun for this model. The motorcycle is a Douglas OB 600cc 1925 overhead valves this vehicle is in concours condition. .
Desmond McCann
Poole Dorset
10-Jun-2019
maggie.noble.52 at gmail.com
The attached is a photo of my Grandfather and family on an unknown make of motorcycle and sidecar in Melton Mowbray circa 1920s. I can just make out the letter D and possibly O in the manufacturers name.
Please could you advise me whether it is a Douglas model?
Margaret Noble
LINGFIELD

  • The machine is very similar to a 1923 model Douglas combination pictured in the 1920s gallery.
    https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/douglas-1920s/
    Douglas-1923c-MNo image posted to Comments.

29-Mar-2019
pal.sue at live.co.uk
Douglas
Hi. I have a photograph of my great grand father dated 1944 in London. He is pictured sitting on a motorcycle with sidecar. (See attached) I am guessing it's a Douglas?
I also have a photograph of him and his 2 daughters taken in 1925 sitting next to his Douglas motorcycle and sidecar having a picnic.
Could you please have a look at the photographs and see if you can identify the models?
Any info appreciated. Thanks and regards Paul
Paul
London, UK

  • The 1944 image is similar to 1937 models in the gallery. The 1925 image is somewhat harder to pin down but bears a resemblance to the Cambridge machines in the 1920s gallery.
    Douglas-Palsue images posted to Comments.

Tue, 07 Nov 2017
ironhorse.64 at hotmail.com
Douglas Cw 1925

My 25 dougy once primed of oil and left for the day,drains the oil from the tank to the sump,, Any ideas? Thanks mark
Mark
Queensland Australia

  • I would imagine here is some type of valve stuck open. Do you have a diagram of the pump?

Sun Jun 23 2013
dpeteson1952<at>msn.com
Douglas Dragonfly picture
Douglas-1957c-Dragonfly

According to the current edition of BMWRA's OTL magazine, this notorcycle is the last one out of the Douglas factory, and is currently in the Barber Museum, in Birmingham, AL. The link above the the picture on your website. This is the same picture used in the OTL magazine.
Englewood, CO


Mon Mar 25 2013
duketin<at>iprimus.com.au
Cycle info
douglas red devil ?
Can you supply any info on this bike for me. It has a "dixon" badge on handle bar
Australia


Tue Jul 24 2012
douglaspresotto<at>yahoo.com.br
Picture for Douglas Motorcycle
Hi, My name is Douglas Presotto and I`m a rider as actually I have a Harley Davidson. I friend of mine from Pakistan introduced Douglas Motorcycles. I gor really excited about it. So i would like to have as much pictures as possible of all styles created by Douglas Motorcycles.
Really thanks!!
Schroeder, Santa Catarina, Brazil


Thu Jun 16 2011
info at raycycled.com

Stolen 1927 Douglas Douglas EW

Hi there , Ray Elbourne here, IMCA member in Sydney, I am writing to as many people as I can to get the word out that our 1927 EW Douglas has been stolen, in Feb 2010, short version of this saga, Dad gave most of the bike to a Guy from Mittagong NSW to work on and do up, but it turned out he later sold the bike to a Collector in the local district , unfortunetly this is all we know from second hand accounts, as the Guy (Dave) has disappeared, we are pretty sure the buyer did not know it was misappropriated, I do have some pics of the bike but not a lot of use if it is in parts. If anyone you hear of, has got a newly aquired Douglas and is missing the head light, gear box and some other parts please let us know. Thanks RAY, at this email or 0408219663, and please feel free to pass this email on to all and any who would help.
Sydney, Australia

This message is also posted at dropbears.com/m/motorcycles/stolen-classics.htm


Thu Jun 02 2011
juergen.bertsch at gmail.com
Spark plug
Douglas D32
Please let me know which kind of spark plug is OK for the Douglas D32 (600cc, SV)
Austria, Buers
.....
Yes, my machine is May 1932 (according to the documents).


Sat Apr 02 2011
jurassicparts<at>live dot com
Douglas T35
Douglas 350cc T35 Alejandro, Rosario, Argentina
Rosario, Argentina


Thu Oct 16 2008
sharonprice252 at aol dot com
engine dating
douglas t35 stationary engine
i have two douglas t35 stationary engines for resoration, there`s a lot of brasswork on the one, including a brass carburetor, does anyone know how to date them,
regards, allan
wales


Thu Feb 28 2008
designadviser1 at hotmail dot com
Douglas vespa identification
Douglas Vespa 42l2
I am located in Sydney Australia and have a Douglas 42l2 125cc model ready for restoration. I was wanting to know what italian vespa the 42l2 was based on and what differences there were to the douglas version that i have in order to make parts finding a bit easier. For instance tecnica vespa has the VL1T (150cc) with the seat with springs at the rear of the seats (same as 42l2) but has headlight on the fender ? i think this was down to satisfy british regulations re headlight height ? But the 42l2 has the headlight in middle of handlebars like the 42l2. Then the next model change shows the italian version with a different seat (no springs) but the handbar headlights ?? I am confused. Basically is the douglas a bit of a mix of the italian versions of 1955/56 ??
I believe the rear taillight is also round as opposed to the square italian version ?
As it is a 125cc what engine does it resemble so that i can get replacement parts ??? Does anyone have pics of an original 42l2 model ?
Signed..... desperate
Sydney Australia


Fri Apr 11 2008
marvik at maltanet.net
douglas dragonfly piston and rings
douglas dragonfly 1956/7
hi i am Anthony Busuttil and i live in Malta isl i need to buy some parts for my motorcycle i need two piston +30 with rings can some of you members help please thanks tony
Malta


Tue Dec 04 2007
jean-pierre-morf at wanadoo.fr
looking for Engine
MKV 1953
I'm looking for an engine for a douglas MKV. please contact me if you have an engine. Regards
France


Mon Oct 15 2007
Douglas parts wanted
CW and EW Douglas
Im looking for a Tank for my 1926 CW Douglas and my 1927 EW. Also looking for a complete or parts of flywheel cluches for both bikes. Also after brake drums and parts for the EW. Please contact me on gmack123 at yahoo.com.au
Australia


Thu Jul 05 2007
davidapitt at yahoo.co.uk
identifing a frame
douglas t35sport 1947
The bike is in bits ,frame no T35S6516S with an S on its side under the numbers. its 1947 trying to fit parts toolbox etc ,no brackets. Have been told it may be a factory racing machine by the frame numbers,i need to find out what it is before i can carry on with the rebuild. any help, imformation on its history would be good.


Sun May 27 2007
david at probuildnsw dot com
1918
Anyone with tech data or photos of 1918 douglas? Have all the bits, but no 1918 manual. Any help appreciated.
Sydney Australia

Try the page of resources for Books and Manuals (nothing Douglas June 2007)


Fri May 25 2007
loderuben at adinet.com.uy
tanque de petroleo

necesito un tanque de petroleo de mi motocicleta douglas de 1913 si tienen o saben de uno por favor informarme muchas gracias .ruben
uruguay


Fri May 04 2007
colin.hall28 at btinternet dot com
douglas motorbike

Attached Photo of Father in Law on Douglas bike
Can you give me any info on model and year
dg




Sat Apr 07 2007
webby.stash at gmail dot com
douglas H3
I been asked to make an offer for a douglas can you give me a guideline value for a douglas h3 1930 that's been restored and looks really nice?
india


Thu Dec 07 2006
hardcase at clear.net.nz
WHAT YEAR IS IT?
Should have taken a closer look.
I recently visited my friend who is a curator of the Southland Museum in Invercargill New Zealand and noticed they had on display a Douglas Motor cycle with sidecar in immaculate condition.They indicated it was a 1940s model but I was sure by the look of it that it was circa 1930. The side car was Zeppelin shaped and a lever poked out of a slit right in the middle of the petrol tank which was very wedged shaped like something from the 1920's. I don't seem to see any pictures of such a machine with this lever poking through the tank. I would think that this alone would date the machine.I would be greatful if one of your experts could GIVE ME A CLUE AS TO WHAT VINTAGE THIS DOUGLAS MOTORCYCLE REALLY IS AND and any misleading representation can be corrected by the Museum Staff. Thank You Edward Case...Dunedin New Zealand.


Tue Sep 12 2006
bevandalan at aol dot com
cables
vespa douglas 150 vba1t
i am trying to obtain a new set of cables for my vespa, but when i ask for cables for a 1958 vespa douglas 150 the expert suppliers say its not enough information and need to know what model it is ie,px,pk etc, can anyone advise ,thanks
isle of wight

Try contacting some of the Vespa dealers found in the Scooters section of Bikelinks


Fri Jun 02 2006
brynstudio at sentex.net
Parts Wanted
1924 Douglas CW
I am searching for N.O.S. or reproduction pistons and rings, front rim with brake and assembly and seat with front spring. If you have any info on where to find these items, please call or email anytime if you have anything available. Thank you. Bryn Gladding
Canada
.....
here are a couple [of photos], most douglas owners will know the bike as it is quite common. thanks for your help.
regards, bryn


Sun May 21 2006
tonyjt06 at yahoo.co.uk
B.T.H. Headlamp Switch
Douglas T8
B.T.H. Headlamp Switch or Rotating part required. Main Body of Switch is Approx. 3 inches
Southampton.UK
English


Wed Apr 05 2006
Derbybloke At Dsl.Pipex dot com
kickstart sprocket
douglas 4hp 1920
i am in need of a kickstart sprocket for a belt drive 4hp - anybody got a spare?
derby


Sun Mar 12 2006
BREWTEEK10 at BLUEYONDER.CO.UK
desperatly require a servicable 90+ frame and forks plus front wheel, due to head on with a wall

the one that is damaged is a 90+ raced by john wallinger in the 1950s (middle to late) it has an engine stamped f dixon and the frame which I will use the head stock from is numbered egp3

its a Douglas 90+ 1951 tt machine, I don't think J WE rode speedway

london


Mon Feb 27 2006
crash100-00 at hotmail dot com
I have a 1930 T6 douglas in parts all good condition and was wondering of it would be worth restoring for resale.
Norfolk, England


Wed May 25 2005
misterdavey at aol dot com
douglas dragonfly
hi my name is dave i am trying to buy a dragonfly can you help please regards dave


Sun May 15 2005
no email address supplied
Rare Douglas Book
Just listed for sale on ebay see item 6532436463 for rare Douglas Motor Cycle book


February 2nd 2005
Good photo of early Douglas on Ebay.
Vendor's Description:
The Douglas Engineering Company was founded in Bristol England by brothers William and Edward in 1882. First they were a blacksmiths shop, but soon expanded to become ironfounders. After the turn of the century with the start of the motor vehicles they soon became involved in the development of engines. The Douglas motorcycle began in 1905 as a prototype engine by Joseph Barter which by 1907 had evolved to become the Fairy Motorcycle. 1914 saw production in large quantities for the war effort and also the start of the 3.5 HP models followed closely by the 4 HP machines. During the twenties many others followed such as the 350cc EW, 500cc and 600cc models and speedway machines. In the thirties a wide range of machines were produced including the S6/T6, Endeavour and finally the pre-war Aero models.


January 5th 2005
Here is a nice article on Douglas dirttrackers


February 27, 2003
Dear Sirs, I have a Douglas MT motorcycle on sale , model 1949...
See the British Motorcycle Forum


November 19, 2002
I have a 1957 Douglas dragonfly and I need...
See the British Motorcycle Forum


November 8, 2002
I have a 1929 Douglas EW 350 that is in good condition and is all original....
See the British Motorcycle Forum


September 15, 2002
I have an engine which is thought to be a Douglas but I cannot find any pictures on the net of bikes with a similar engine. I guess it is 1930's but I have not found any markings on it yet.

Description:
Horizontally opposed side valve, bore about 60mm, stroke? Could be a 350 or 500cc fore and aft fitting in the frame, large finned oil tank in unit with the engine.
Part of a chain guard seems to be cast in alloy with the left side of the crank case, large 12" by 1" external fly wheel, alloy pistons (seized).
The (spark) plugs screw vertically upwards into small chambers which have a small opening to the combustion chamber - there is a dynamo drive and platform with two studs to hold the dynamo to the top of the crankcase.
The timing chest cover has cast in air intakes leading to the inlet valves and fed by a single carb which feeds air and fuel upwards into the air intakes.
The exhaust ports face down & there are two alloy covers over the tappets.
The timing cover and oil tank seem completely different to all the Douglas engines I have seen.

I would like to know what machine it came from and any other details or is it a stationary engine from WW2 or even another make of engine?

Any help would be appreciated.

Terry O'Brien -- obriens at obriens.screaming.net


August 6, 2002
Here is an excerpt of text that describes the Douglas in your pictures:

The last model made was the advanced and novel 350cc Dragonfly, in 1955. Distinctive looks and good handling couldn't hide the low top speed (75 mph, although a sports model claimed 84mph) and poor low-rev performance. A 500cc prototype was shown in 1951, but never made.

Hope this helps. All correspondence to be sent to takeda at alphalink.com.au regards Michael


August 16, 2000
Please information to Douglas motorcycle mod. WWII Twin 1940-1948

Javier Ginaca -- jginaca at sion dot com


July 27, 2000
I have a 1949 Douglas Deluxe in mint condition....
See the British Motorcycle Forum


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