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General => Douglas Motorcycle Discussion => Topic started by: veikko1 on 28 Jan 2015 at 17:56

Title: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: veikko1 on 28 Jan 2015 at 17:56
We are looking saddle to 1914, 2 3/4 hp model. There are Brooks selling Ebay, it`s right?
Regards veikko1
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: Black Sheep on 12 Feb 2015 at 17:11
Brooks made all sorts of saddles. You have to know what you are looking for. Here's what my 1914 2 3/4 has. Gordon.
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: veikko1 on 13 Feb 2015 at 11:59
Thanks your answer. I try put some picture from saddle, that come with my bike. I think that it`s early model?
Regards veikko1
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: cardan on 16 Feb 2015 at 10:54

It's quite rare for any motorcycle to use a saddle with the frame made from wire, although there were a few examples in Europe. In the UK, by the teens, all motorcycle saddles used steel frames.

Brooks saddles of the period mostly used their patented system of one spring inside the other, so the rod that supports the saddle runs along the centre-line of the spring. The seat in Gordon's photo has the support rod outside the spring and attached to the bottom of the spring, usually a feature of Lycett saddles.

What does the 1914 catalogue list for the saddle?

Leon
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: Hutch on 17 Feb 2015 at 00:26
Hi all,

Well spotted on the spring design Leon!

I just had a quick look at the 1914 Douglas Sales Brochure and it doesn't appear to specifically state what brand/model of saddle is used. From the specifications of the  2 3/4 it states "Saddle-Special Large" for Douglas models T,U ."Saddle- Multiple Spring" for model V. "Saddle-Special large; pan seat" for Model W and "Saddle-special; pan seat" for the ladies model X.

The saddles shown appear to be both Lycett and Brooks, with Lycett on Model's T,U,W and X and model V being a Brooks. I don't have a Lycett catalogue for this era, but found the Lycett advert from 1914 in "The Motor Cycle". The other saddle picture is from the "The Brooks Book for Motorcyclists 1912". The B130 looks to me to be very similar to the saddle shown on the Model V. The 3 1/2 HP from 1914 appear to have something like a Lycett "Lyco" no 5 saddle.

Douglas were known to mix and match and saddle choice would have also been a personal choice, so I guess any of the period Lycett or Brooks saddles for a light to middle weight motorcycle cycles would be a suitable choice ? 

Cheers
Ian



Cheers
Ian
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: cardan on 17 Feb 2015 at 00:40

Yes a mix of Lycett and Brooks is quite likely. The "standard" Brooks pan saddle of the era was the B170, and like its leather-in-tension contemporaries used the compound springs.

Leon

Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: veikko1 on 17 Feb 2015 at 20:29
Hello
Many thanks all information, and good pictures. I must start looking pan type saddle, but maybe my old wire type are good alternative, before I find ones.
Best Regards veikko1
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: arturro on 17 Feb 2015 at 20:56
Maby not like Brooks and but very similar. It is better solution like bike without saddle.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-TROXEL-LEATHER-SADDLE-for-19-teens-1920s-MOTORCYCLE-Useable-CONDITION-/141577280229?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20f6a9dae5


Best regards Artur
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: cardan on 18 Feb 2015 at 09:07

Yes the Troxel is very nice - about $US800 worth of nice I reckon.

A alternative might be a reproduction Brooks seat http://www.veterantriumph.co.uk/brooks-seat-b170-1543-p.asp although personally I prefer an original if you can find one.

Leon
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: Chris54 on 18 Feb 2015 at 15:40
Hi Veikko1

Been reading with interest as i have just finished the saddle for my 1914, I had a very rusty frame, similar to a Brooks B170 but more lightweight, had bolt holes front and back for a pan rather than leather-in-tension, had no springs, spreader or clamp so i got to work, borrowed a friends B170 to use as a pattern, beat out a pan, welded studs in, then had to read-up about wet molding leather and stitching,
the result can be seen in the photos, and the best bit, total cost of rebuild £130 includes the leather, stitching thread and tools,steel for pan and a pair of springs picked up at Kempton Bike Autu Jumble, cost in time about 10 hours work. Well worth the effort i think.

All the best in finding your saddle, Chris
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: veikko1 on 18 Feb 2015 at 20:41
Hello
Very nice work Chris, I must looking Ebay, because it`s near impossible find it from Finland.
Regards veikko1
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: hvirtanen on 20 Feb 2015 at 06:59
Chris wrote:

'borrowed a friends B170 to use as a pattern, beat out a pan, welded studs in, then had to read-up about wet molding leather and stitching,

the result can be seen in the photos, and the best bit, total cost of rebuild £130 includes the leather, stitching thread and tools,steel for pan and a pair of springs picked up at Kempton Bike Autu Jumble, cost in time about 10 hours work. Well worth the effort i think.'

You mean that you did all that work yourself?
Really great work.

with best,

-hv
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: Chris54 on 20 Feb 2015 at 14:47
Hi hv

Yep, the wife no good with sowing
Chris
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: arturro on 20 Feb 2015 at 17:26
Replica   Troxel sadle

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Reproduction-TROXEL-LEATHER-SADDLE-for-19-teens-Early-1920s-MOTORCYCLE-/151595769849?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item234bcfdff9

Best regards Artur
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: motos pomes on 21 Feb 2015 at 17:28
hello , i bay in france this B130 new

in future i  will build exact replics  for my other bikes
Title: Re: Douglas 1914 saddle
Post by: cardan on 23 Feb 2015 at 19:59

Yes the Troxel is very nice - about $US800 worth of nice I reckon.


It sold for only $US665, but it's hard to call that "cheap". Saddles are becoming an expensive part of the restoration.

Leon