Topic: 1918 Replica Motorcycles

[BenelliSEI]

A few years ago, I built these 1918 Douglas side car replicas for a Canadian Regiment. They dress up in first WW uniforms and use them for parades and displays. Today I got a call from a movie company, they want to use one in a film. I’m going to drive it in the scenes and the “renumeration” is enough to get my attention! Fired one up today and looking forward to the day!

The motorcycle is a 2017 Black Douglas Sterling, powered by a 250cc Honda engine. We imported the parts individually and I built the bikes here. Exquisitly manufactured, they are dimensionally identical to the original Douglas unit. The side car frames and bodies are an exact replica of the wooden Douglas car too. We built them in my workshop. Should be a couple of fun days!

[BenelliSEI]

Here’s a photo of the body under construction.

[Terry in Australia]

Very nice mate, and the word you're looking for is "Remuneration".

[spotty]

" show me the remuneration " just doesn't have that ring to it does it ?

[BenelliSEI]

As long as it’s cash, I’m good to go!

[BPellerine]

they look great,it is incredible that you can get that kind of stuff made these days,you should have fun !bill

[scottly]

The motorcycle is a 2017 Black Douglas Sterling, powered by a 250cc Honda engine. We imported the parts individually and I built the bikes here. Exquisitly manufactured, they are dimensionally identical to the original Douglas unit. The side car frames and bodies are an exact replica of the wooden Douglas car too. We built them in my workshop. Should be a couple of fun days!

I'm a bit confused. What parts did you import, and what did you make yourself, or by "built" do you mean assembled from sourced parts? No shame in that, as it describes the British motorcycle industry a century ago.  

[70CB750]

Following.

[BenelliSEI]

So here’s a bit more detail....... First I built a 125cc version of a Black Douglas Sterling for myself. These motorcycles are not approved for sale in North America, so it came in boxes, as parts. I assembled it in my shop. Stunning quality and actually a pleasure to figure it out (no instructions). I’ve attached a photo. This machine cruises happily at 50-60 mph!

Next, a friend and I fabricated attachment blocks, side car frame and body for the 250cc rigs. Again, the motorcycles came in boxes. The first one (brown trim) was such a success the Regiment ordered a second one (black trim). The side car bodies are in steel, welded to a tube frame, but identical in size, shape and door opening to the original wooden side car attached to a friend’s 1918 2.5 h.p. Douglas. Rear shock/springs on the Sidecar are from a 400F. We also hid a lawn tractor battery under the car seat to add some weight and ease of starting......

[BenelliSEI]

Here’s arear shot of the Sidecar springs/shocks (400F). Note the panard rod we added for side to side stability. The front of the car pivots on rubber isolastic machinery mounting blocks. The Sidecar fender started from a Ford Model A spare tire cover.......

[754]

 It's just not looking like an opposed fore and aft twin, that motor.   .
 The top frame tube should curve up into the  neck in one piece. They ran that a few years.
 I know a guy has a 13ish Duggy with an original wicker chair on it.
 Some years back here, a 15 Douglas motor surfaced here in an orchard shed... they figured the frame had ended up on the metal pile, and probably got cut up to make or fix other stuff..

 There were about 5 or more makers building fore and aft twins from around 1912 to early twenties.

[BenelliSEI]

754...... here’s a picture of the original in my shop. The frame is right on. You’re right about the engine but frankly, it’s not copy, it’s a modern replica with LED lighting, turnsignals, decent drum brakes, electric start and electronic ignition. In Europe, and the Far East, they sell like hot cakes! What a great alternative to a scooter......

[754]

 Ok I have a question, why not them hot new hot 4 valve OHc motors they are about 190cc, make lots of hp. . Nasty sounding motor.. but it's a letdown motor..

[BenelliSEI]

No idea. The guys that build them are in Italy. The two engines are interchangeable and several main components are the same. They are also very reliable and inexpensive. They were initially striping them and checking every one, but eventually stopped. I had a problem with one, it ate the “pellets” in the starter clutch. Other than that they seem pretty good.