Author Topic: Fasteners and Threads used on 2 3/4 hp Douglas Models 1910 to 1926  (Read 25093 times)

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Offline Chris

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Douglas are well known for having used threads of their own design, presumably, so that owners were encouraged to buy spare parts from the company down to the last nut and bolt. On these early machines, the unique threads were limited to three sizes only, 3/16” x 27 threads per inch (tpi), 17/64” x 25 tpi, and 5/16” x 25 tpi. However, many of the other thread sizes used in the Cycle Engineer’s Institute (CEI) range re-designated as British Standard Cycle (BSC) threads in 1950 were also non-preferred options, usually 20 tpi. Examples will be found of 28 tpi. as well as the CEI/BSC standard for sizes from Ό” to Ύ” of 26 tpi. Many bolts and nuts are also of non-standard shape and dimensions. Finally the thread used top and bottom in the oil pump body is unusual to say the least. (See below under Petrol Tanks)

The lists that follow are an attempt to provide comprehensive guidance on the thread sizes originally used by Douglas Motors Ltd. Inevitably I will have missed some applications and I cannot guarantee that I have got it all totally correct. I have based the information below on observations from five 2Ύ hp models of different ages, 1911 model D, 1916 model U, 1923 TS, 1924 SW and 1925 CW.  There were several variations in frames, two main fork designs and four designs of fuel tank over the period 1910 to 1926 and I cannot be certain that I have covered every variation. It should be noted that because of the uniqueness of Douglas threads and the difficulties experienced in the past by repairers/restorers unable to acquire the correct taps and dies, threads may have been altered on an individual machine (including the sample machines above).

Taps and dies are available from The London Douglas Motor Cycle Club for the 17/64” x 25 tpi and the 5/16” x 25 tpi. threads. Dies have never been procured for the 3/16” x 27 tpi. size used for securing the timing cover and some other applications. (see “Additional Notes” below). However, taps of this size are available and The Club had a chaser made to enable timing cover screws to be produced with both “Instrument Head” (domed slotted with taper under head to fit countersink) for the early models up to and including EW and with a hexagon head for the 1930s models. Thus, replacement screws are available but I regret that many timing chest threads have been tapped out to another thread form, inserts installed or tapped oversize. It may be assumed that all 20 tpi, 26 tpi (except where otherwise quoted) and 28 tpi threads are British Standard Cycle thread form. (60 degree included angle). British Standard Whitworth (BSW) and British Standard Fine (BSF) threads have a 55 degree included angle. It is believed that the special Douglas threads are to Whitworth form. There are also examples of British Standard Pipe (BSP) (see “Additional Notes” below) and British Association (BA) threads used on the machines. Carburettor manufacturers, including Douglas on their own designs, also used metric threads.

Engine
Valve lifter spring box.   7/16” x 26 tpi.
Cylinder Barrels to Crankcase        *  (thick nuts)   Qty 4                        5/16" x 25 tpi.
Crank case halves.                        *    Qty 4                                           17/64" x 25 tpi.
Valve lifter cable adjuster.               Ό” x 26 tpi. BSF.
Tapped holes in crankcase for plugs, non-return valve, drains etc.    7/16” x 20 tpi.
Tapped holes in timing chest for tappet guides and pivot studs.    7/16” x 20 tpi.
Screws retaining pivot studs locking plates. Qty. 2          3/16” x 27 tpi
Timing cover screws . Qty. 8    (90 degree Raised Countersunk Head)   3/16” x 27 tpi.
Nuts retaining diamond frame on pivot studs. Qty. 4      17/64” x 25 tpi.
Nuts retaining valve lifter mechanism. Qty. 2 (small hex.)      17/64” x 25 tpi.
Cylinder barrel exhaust. (not 1910 or 1911models)      1Ό” x 20 tpi.
Cylinder barrel inlet. (not 1910, 1911 or 1912 models)      1Ό” x 20 tpi.
Inlet manifold bolts 1910, 1911 & 1912 models. Qty. 2      17/64” x 25 tpi.
Carburettor studs  later models                                                              17/64" x 25 tpi.
Cylinder barrel valve caps.               1.3/8” x 18 tpi.
Sprocket on flywheel.    (LEFT HAND THREAD)      1.13/16” x 20 tpi.
Bolts clamping engine to frame and nuts. Qty. 4    *  (thick Nuts)   5/16” x 25 tpi.
Sparking Plug threads in inlet valve caps.         18mm x 1.5mm
Magneto studs                                                                                         17/64" x25 tpi.

Flywheel Clutch
A flywheel clutch and kickstart mechanism was fitted to the CW models of 1924 to 1926 and the SW model of 1924.Threads used on these are as follows:-
Top hat to front of flywheel body  3/16" x 24 tpi. (Whit) max. 3/16" long under round head slotted screws Qty 4.
Back plate to body 7/32" x 24 tpi (Whit) max.1/4" long under slotted countersunk head. Qty 8.
Kickstart pivot spindle 7/16" x 20 tpi. Right hand thread.
Ratchet nut 9/16" x 20 tpi. (LEFT HAND THREAD)

Gearbox 2 &  3 speed
Studs and nuts suspending gearbox from frame. Qty. 2 (large hex.)      3/8” x 28 tpi.
Gear case through studs. Qty. 4 and nuts Qty. 8         3/16” x 27 tpi.
Nut securing Sprocket   .    (LEFT HAND THREAD)   13/16” x 28 tpi
Nut securing pulley.   (drive sprocket on CW).         7/16” x 20 tpi.
Drain plug and filler plug, cup lubricator or filler tube.      7/16” x 20 tpi.

Petrol Tanks
Screws suspending tank from frame. Qty. 4   (Whitworth)   7/32” x 24 tpi. (90 degree Raised Countersunk Head Screws)
Petrol and drain taps.               1/8” BSP.
Filler caps oil and petrol.                1.7/8” x 20 tpi.
Nut at base of plunger.               Ό” x 26 tpi. BSF.
Oil feed drip regulator (cylinder type) screws. Qty 2   believed to be    3 BA.
Oil Pump body top and base.   1.075” x 28tpi approx.  (Individual samples varied between 1.069” and 1.079” diameter. -- 27.5mm (1.083”) dia.x 0.9mm (28.2 tpi.) pitch. would also approximate. These would also be very non-standard metric threads.
Note 1910/1911 tanks have no drip feed regulator, a smaller diameter oil pump body, smaller diameter oil and petrol filler caps and longer suspension screws.

Frame and Forks
Steering head nut, small. Veteran and some frames up to 1920.                   1” x 26 tpi.
Steering head nut, large. Some from 1916 and all from 1920.                                   1.1/8” x 26 tpi.
Steering head clamp bolt and nut.   *            5/16” x 25 tpi.
Studs on handlebars and nuts (small hex.) for hand levers. Qty. 4                   17/64” x 25 tpi.
Nuts for petrol/air and adv./ret. controls.            17/64” x 25 tpi.
Front stand on frames with early forks, bolt and nut.       *      5/16” x 25 tpi.
Spring clip for early fork front stand, bolt and nut                         17/64” x 25 tpi.
Pivot bolts in forks for front stand on later frames. Qty. 2                      5/16” x 25 tpi.
Shouldered nut securing front stand on mudguard.         5/16” x 25 tpi.
Screws securing cable clamps top and bottom. Qty. 2      3/16” x 27 tpi.
Tapped hole for fitting rear mudguard in rear of frame.      17/64” x 25 tpi.
Tapped hole in saddle tube for belt guard.            17/64” x 25 tpi.
Rear stand pivot bolts into fork lug from 1916. Qty. 2      3/8” x 20 tpi. BSF.
Upper through bolt for back stay and nut.   *         3/8” x 20 tpi. BSF.
Bolts for back stay into rear fork lug and nuts. Qty. 2      3/8” x 20 tpi. BSF.
Carrier to back stay bolts and nuts. Qty. 2            17/64” x 25 tpi.
Carrier to fork lug bolts and nuts. Qty. 2            17/64” x 25 tpi.
Gear change quadrant screws. Qty. 2    (special domed head)      17/64” x 25 tpi.
Knob to tram handle gear change, (large round headed screw)   Ό” x 26 tpi. BSF.
Block on top tube for models with hooked front seat spring.      17/64” x 25 tpi.
Fork springs on early forks. Bolts in springs and Nuts. Qty. 4 #   5/16” x  26 tpi.
Fork spindles on early forks, Qty 4 & Nuts. Qty 8   (castle nuts)   5/16” x 25 tpi.
Headlamp bracket on early forks. Bolt.            17/64” x 25 tpi.
Forks spring anchors on later forks. Qty 2 fork end.         3/8” x 20 tpi. BSF.
Fork spring anchors outer end and special pivot nuts. Qty 4      3/8” x 28 tpi.
Fork spindles on later forks. LH side.    (all four spindles)      3/8” x 28 tpi.
Fork spindles RH side and grease lubricators. (three spindles)   9/16” x 20 tpi.
(Fourth has 3/8” x 28 tpi. thread both sides with a 9/16” x 20 tpi. thread in between.
Mudguard stays front and rear 1910/1911 models         17/64” x 25 tpi.
Mudguard stays front and rear 1912 on.             5/16” x 25 tpi.
Front mudguard to late forks, bolts and nuts. Qty. 2         17/64” x 25 tpi
Front mudguard to early forks, bolt and nut.            17/64” x 25 tpi.
Wheel spindle nuts. Qty. 4                  3/8” x 26 tpi.
Oiler cups on early frames and forks.   (also hubs on 1910/1911).   3/16” x 32 tpi. BSF
Oiler cups on hubs on later machines.            Ό” x 26 tpi. BSF

Additional Notes

1910/1911 models have Chater-Lea hubs. Later models have Douglas hubs.

Early forks are those constructed from oval tubing and associated with frames with the small steering head. Later forks are made from round tubing.

* Bolts designated thus have a special domed head with a small dowel let into the shank below the head to prevent rotation.

# Springs designated thus were used on other makes of motorcycle and were bought in by Douglas so threads are standard BSC with 26 tpi.

BSP threads also known as “Gas” threads can be very confusing as their diameter is much greater than their nominal size. Thus, 1/8” BSP. is 0.383” diameter, has 28 tpi. and has the same 55 degree thread form as Whitworth. Ό” BSP is 0.518” diameter and has 19 tpi. These are commonly used on petrol taps etc.
 
A tip for cleaning the 3/16” x 27 tpi. internal threads in the timing chest and elsewhere is to use a hexagon head timing cover screw from the 1930s models which are longer than the instrument head version and to cut a couple of slots on a helix with a junior hacksaw . This can be used as a tap or the correct tap can be obtained from LDMCC Spares by Club members.
« Last Edit: 04 Aug 2022 at 21:23 by Doug »

Offline carl denton

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thank you so much, that's so help full  :D , but yes your wright they had some very strange threads on them that explains the reason non of my yaps and dyes match any of them. Looks like I am going shopping for taps and dyes . :roll:

Offline veikko1

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Hello
I read this very interesting artikel from Douglas threads, that i have noticed very complicated. But I can`t find know what threads are crankshaft ends? Inner in timing side, and outer on flywheel side. I have 2 3/4 1914 model, and both threads need cleaning.
Regards veikko1

Offline Chris

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Hi Veikko1
   I have replied to your PM to the effect that the thread size at the timing end of the crankshaft (internal), certainly for 1915 on crankshafts, is 3/8" x 28 tpi and at the flywheel end (external) is 9/16" x 20tpi. I have no reason to believe that the thread sizes for earlier shafts up 1914 are any different in these respects although there are other minor differences.
Chris.
« Last Edit: 30 Nov 2014 at 21:07 by Chris »

Offline veikko1

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Hello Chris
Many thanks your answer. My bike is "basket case", and crankshaft and conrods was missing. I got them from my friend, and it`s coming from 1924 model CW. You like that there are some differences? My bike is 1914 model U, and year is cast crancases flywheel side. I have Douglas spare parts list 1912 onwards, and there are only one crankshaft from 1913-1924? Any help and info is need!!
Regards Veikko

Offline cardan

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    • Leon's Vintage Motorcycle Page

Bump. I wonder should this posted be pinned at the top!

Leon

Offline Domas

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Many Thanks. Now I know why 5/16 bolts have 25tpi.

Offline Dave

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Quote from: Cardan
Bump. I wonder should this posted be pinned at the top!
Leon

Yes, there's so much useful detail in Chris' post, it probably should be pinned. Will talk about it with Doug.

Edit about one hour later... Topic has been pinned.
« Last Edit: 04 Aug 2022 at 21:33 by Dave »