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General => Douglas Motorcycle Discussion => Topic started by: MrWright on 25 Dec 2005 at 22:44

Title: Riding a Douglas
Post by: MrWright on 25 Dec 2005 at 22:44
Hello all,

As posted, I am restoring a T35 Douglas which was purchasd in non-running condition.  I do not know the shift pattern, nor the number gears.  Can anyone advise?

Thanks,

Dave
Title: Re: Riding a Douglas
Post by: aggettd on 26 Dec 2005 at 14:04
Dave:

So far as I know, the T35 had four gears operated by the lever on the right side of the transmission. First speed is engaged by ratchetting the lever up several times until the lever seems to have no more effect inside the transmission. Sometimes the gears will hang up if the the motor or transmission is not spinning, so with the transmission on the bench you may need to rotate the input or output shafts by hand between changes.

Neutral is found by pressing the shift lever down just a bit. Too far and it will go past neutral into second gear. You will know you are in neutral if, when holding the output shaft, you feel a little drag but no positive torsion when you rotate the input shaft by hand. Second gear is engaged by lightly stabbing the shifter down again. At this point the input shaft will positively drive the output shaft. Third and fourth are found using the same action on the shift level. Remember you may have to rotate the input or output shaft a bit to get the gear to engage if the transmission is on the bench or the motor is not running.

Down shifts are simply performed in reverse by pulling up on the shift lever.

Good luck,

David Aggett
Nova Scotia, Canada
Title: Re: Riding a Douglas
Post by: MrWright on 26 Dec 2005 at 14:29
Thanks Dave, from your message I gather the pattern is "1-up, 3-down".  You have saved me the embarrassment of sitting in the drive way, with a fresh rebuild, trying to figure-out how to "make it go", although, it would be entertaining for my wife and kids.  The project is moving along with everybody’s help in this forum.  I have decided to go with a low-gloss black finish, and a flat silver stripe down both fenders.  I don’t want it to look “over restored”.  Besides, post-war paint was exactly a match for today’s tow-part acrylics, with clear-coat.  I may ever go the dreaded “acrylic lacquer” route.  I have plenty of pics and will be putting together a story board for all.
Thanks