Probably time we had a little motorcycle history, judging by some comments recently elsewhere here.
In 1926 and 1927, Douglas took the motorcycle market by storm with its new flat twin EW model.
http://bright-cars.com/uploads/douglas/ ... -ew-11.jpg
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/10131/lot/190/
A 350cc sidevalve flat twin, with all chain drive and 3 speed gearbox
(previous Douglas models were belt drive and mostly 2 speed)
But what set this on the path to commercial success was the price = £42/10 (in the UK)
About 20 quid cheaper than anything similar in size on the market, and a healthy performance
This made it the Number One best selling model of brit motorcycle in 1926 AND 1927.
And with about 10 hp and 60 mph performance (if you really pushed it), quite a lively performer.
AND, it had 8" drum brakes front and rear - internal expanding too,
even if it was a one piece circular brake shoe setup.
Its main sales competitor at the time, in many export markets, was the Indian Scout.
A 600cc sidevalve v-twin, also with about 60 mph performance, and a claimed 12 hp.
And it even came with a little dyno chart on the sales brochure to prove it. !
It is wider and heavier though - and had the new balloon tires front and rear.
(and with a crash style 3 speed gearbox, and no front brake).
And nearly twice as expensive, in most export markets.
It should be commented of course that roads were often terribly rough back then,
and sidevalve motors are nearly indestructible (the valves CAN'T tangle, or kiss the piston),
so both these best sellers were often ridden (sedately) until completely worn out.
Having frames that survived nearly anything helped too.
My involvement in these is with a Duggie project I bought a long time ago.
It came with no wheels or brakes or mudguards, and a few other issues.
And for such a popular model, these have proved surprisingly difficult to source.
The wheels took a while, the brakes much longer, and mudguards are impossible.
Seems every other man and his dog is collecting bits for them too, and bits rarely appear. !
The London Douglas Club are very active, but not extending to mudguards it seems.
One day...
Truly one of the motorcycling milestones of the era.
In 1926 and 1927, Douglas took the motorcycle market by storm with its new flat twin EW model.
http://bright-cars.com/uploads/douglas/ ... -ew-11.jpg
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/10131/lot/190/
A 350cc sidevalve flat twin, with all chain drive and 3 speed gearbox
(previous Douglas models were belt drive and mostly 2 speed)
But what set this on the path to commercial success was the price = £42/10 (in the UK)
About 20 quid cheaper than anything similar in size on the market, and a healthy performance
This made it the Number One best selling model of brit motorcycle in 1926 AND 1927.
And with about 10 hp and 60 mph performance (if you really pushed it), quite a lively performer.
AND, it had 8" drum brakes front and rear - internal expanding too,
even if it was a one piece circular brake shoe setup.
Its main sales competitor at the time, in many export markets, was the Indian Scout.
A 600cc sidevalve v-twin, also with about 60 mph performance, and a claimed 12 hp.
And it even came with a little dyno chart on the sales brochure to prove it. !
It is wider and heavier though - and had the new balloon tires front and rear.
(and with a crash style 3 speed gearbox, and no front brake).
And nearly twice as expensive, in most export markets.
It should be commented of course that roads were often terribly rough back then,
and sidevalve motors are nearly indestructible (the valves CAN'T tangle, or kiss the piston),
so both these best sellers were often ridden (sedately) until completely worn out.
Having frames that survived nearly anything helped too.
My involvement in these is with a Duggie project I bought a long time ago.
It came with no wheels or brakes or mudguards, and a few other issues.
And for such a popular model, these have proved surprisingly difficult to source.
The wheels took a while, the brakes much longer, and mudguards are impossible.
Seems every other man and his dog is collecting bits for them too, and bits rarely appear. !
The London Douglas Club are very active, but not extending to mudguards it seems.
One day...
Truly one of the motorcycling milestones of the era.
