My T35

[alwyn]

Hi, I have accepted 'til recently that my bike is a 1948 model T35 but a recent publication suggested that the last production of T35's occurred in 1947, succeeded in 1948 by the Mark series. I bought the bike in 1999 from the guy that restored it here in South Australia. This guy to my knowledge and belief took pains as a LDMCC member to determine the model and the year of production and this seemed to check out by proximity of frame and engine numbers that he pointed out to me within the LDMCC Machine Register.

The numbers pertaining to my bike are.... (a) frame = T35/S/2962, (b) engine = T35/S/2652 and (c) gearbox = B1861. The motor has domed pistons and semi-spherical combustion chambers and the rocker covers are indented with the Douglas name. I am assured that the cylinders only, ie., not heads and pistons nor rocker covers, were replaced during restoration, the replacement cylinders being sourced in England from what was a stationary auxiliary engine. That the bike is of 1948 vintage appears to be true as the numbers align reasonably close to those listed for 1948 T35's in the LDMCC Machine Register. Tending to confirm the production year is the fact that my original Mark series, I think Mark III, was bought in South Australia during 1949 or very early in 1950 suggesting a 1949 production. As far as I can recollect this had domed pistons as my present bike but I am not entirely certain about this. However, I am certain of my recollection regarding the rocker covers is correct in that these did not have the Douglas name indented.

Would you comment about this please? Are there other features that may help to make a more positive identification of my current bike and quash my doubts? A photo of my bike is available here.

Alwyn

[trevorp]

as far as all of my research has found out mk1 always had the word douglas in rocker cover when they went to mk3 the rocker cover had the kidney shape as the cylinder heads were redesigned in that model
t35 mk first bike was 101 and last mk 1 is 2976 2976 was built in 5/5/1948
so your bike looks to me to be a 48 and a well done bike
mk 3 engine number start at 4001/3
one thing that i have just found out is they have 80 mph speedo smiths chronometric and 2 different headlights were fitted
the front mudgaurd can be a real problem some put the largish mudgaurd on the bike but in all the ads i have seen they are a smaller type and it appears that the larger mudgaurd came out on mk3 and a lot of people have fitted these over the years
T Pickett(australia)

[Daren W Australia]

Hi will send some pictures of my Mk 1, 3, 5 showing the tank forward mounting point the mk1 requires small spacers the mk3 has the spacers cast in and the mk5 has a much more substantial steering head


MK1 Frame # T35/S/1069



Larger view

MK3 Frame # T35/S/4833/3



Larger view

MK5 Frame # 11482/5/B



Larger view

Hope this helps,

Regards, Daren.

[trevorp]

the frames are also different where the rear swingarm fits on if u have a look

[alwyn]

Thanks guys for your interest - am satisfied now that my bike is of the 1948 vintage.
Regards
Alwyn