Douglas Motorcycles was a British marque founded in 1907 by brothers William and Edwin Douglas. The Bristol-based outfit was probably best known for its horizontally opposed twins, though it also had a reputation for producing some solid race machines and even dabbled in automobile manufacturing for a decade or so, resulting in the “Cyclecar”. Eventually a myriad of factors would result in the company officially closing its doors in 1957, but its legacy as a significant part of British motorcycle history remains.
Originally, the two Douglas brothers founded The Douglas Engineering Company in Bristol in the early 1880’s, first offering blacksmithing services before moving on to foundry work. Around the turn of the century the Douglas Engineering Co. would gain Joseph F. Barter’s Light Motors Ltd. as a client. Light Motors produced single-cylinder bicycle engines prior to developing the “Fée” – a 200cc flat-twin that was mounted in-line with a bicycle’s frame. The Douglas bros were tasked with manufacturing casings for Light Motors prior to the company going under in 1907, at which point the Douglas bros took over manufacturing rights.
The brothers started by producing a 350cc horizontally opposed-twin that would receive various updates over the next half-decade. Thanks to the bikes’ low center of gravity, they made for competitive racers, proving themselves at the 1912 Junior TT when riders piloting Douglas machines took first, second, and fourth places. When the first World War broke out, Douglas was called on to supply some 70,000 motorcycles to the military, resulting in a massive influx of funds, enabling the marque to develop a more diverse lineup.
The company’s ample R&D money meant when speedway racing rose to popularity a couple years before the Great Depression, Douglas was able to produce some two-wheeled winners. The Bristol-based manufacturer had previously built several noteworthy dirt track racers; the 500cc DT5 and the 600cc DT6, machines powered by OHV flat-twin engines with hemispherical heads and short forged crankshafts. In 1930 Douglas would release the SW5, (and SW6) aka the “Speed Model Douglas”, essentially a DT5 model, with the only differences being the SW’s coming fitted with brakes fore and aft, full mudguards, a silencer, nearside footpegs, and a flywheel clutch – allowing them to legally be ridden to and from races.
A Douglas advertisement from 1929 promoted the new model with: “For the competitive Speedman the NEW SPEED MODEL is introduced. This is based on our all-conquering Dirt Track machine, and owing to its design and light weight will be found more easily to handle at speeds well over the hundred mark than the modern heavy road racing machine at 80 m.p.h. Whether you are racing as a profession or as a hobby you cannot afford to be without a SPEED MODEL DOUGLAS.”
Photo from http://www.douglasmotorcycles.net
This SW5 Racer features a handful of what are supposedly original TT race components, including its carbs (sans needle) and exhausts. The example is also sporting a Norton gearbox and clutch, though the original Douglas gearbox and flywheel clutch are included in the sale, plus the bike also has a new front wheel. It’s far from concourse condition, but it’s still a pretty awesome old Brit bike.
This particular example is listed as a 1928 Douglas SW5 Racer, though it is in all likelihood a 1928 DT5 that has been converted to an SW, supposedly a frequent occurrence in the ‘20s and ‘30s after the DT’s became less-than-competitive in their intended area of competition. While my research indicates that Douglas lost all prewar records, this example’s seller has done a pretty decent job of digging up this racer’s history, starting back in the 1950’s when it was in the possession of Bob Thomas, who at the time served as the president of the Douglas Owners club.
Eventually in the 1970’s Thomas would sell the Douglas Racer in order to fund the purchasing of one of two Vauxhall motorcycles ever built. The new owner had the example restored by Collin Clifford – supposedly in exchange for a works race engine. The current owner – who came into possession of the Douglas roughly seven years ago – was also informed his example was once owned by Douglas Works rider, Jim Whalley, though he admits he’s been unable to substantiate this claim. This example was also featured in some Spanish magazine which the current seller has and will include in the sale (I assume).
But more important than a magazine, the sale of this Douglas comes with a generous amount of spare parts, including an original crank, engine cases, and multiple cylinder heads. The seller does admit the bike needs a little TLC, but says it was running fine prior to being put in storage. This Douglas example was reportedly first registered for road-use back in 1952, and the seller says the example remains road registered, but adds that it’s “tax and MOT exempt”.
It’s hard to speak on this example’s price tag. A seemingly cleaner example sold at Bonhams 2011 Staffordshire for $23,857, so this one may be considered a tad steep but I don’t know enough to say. I can confidently say that this is one really cool machine that’s just dripping with antique character. You can find this “1928” SW5 498cc Flat Twin OHV Racer for sale here on RaceBikeMart in Derby, England with a price of $29,000 for just the bike, or $31,800 with all the spares.