Jaguar wheel bearing for 1931 Douglas 350.

[Jagman]

Dear Sirs,

As a technical liaison for the Jaguar XJ range in the Norwegian Jaguar Club, I get many interesting questions, but the one I got last night was something very special indeed!

A Douglas enthusiast called me up and asked if I knew which wheel bearing from a Jaguar could be used as ditto (I assume) for a 1931 pre WWII Douglas 350 motorcycle.

He had the outer race (00152X), and was looking for the inner race with rolls (0080 or 81 X).

Does anyone know which Jaguar bearing this would be? I take it when I know which one, I should be able to get it from the likes of Martin Robey or SNG Barratt.

Anxciously awaiting word from this well of wisdom.

Kind regards,
Bard Thomas

[Jagman]

Hello,

If I'm on the wrong forum, please apologize for the intrusion and direct me to where you think I might obtain this information.

Thank you!

Regards,
Bard Thomas

[eddie]

Hello Bard,
                 You are on the right forum for Douglas information - I have owned Douglas machines for nearly 50 years and also once owned a series 1 XJ6. The only place I can think of where a Jaguar wheel bearing might be usable on a Douglas would be as the lower steering head bearing. This was originally a taper roller bearing of 25 - 32mm bore, so perhaps an outer front wheel bearing from the XJ might be adaptable. All other bearings - other than the rear suspension pivots - would be too large for the Douglas. Sorry, I can't help with any specific sizes.
                     Regards,
                                Eddie.

[Doug]

Bard,

These are the obsolete Timken part numbers for the Douglas wheel bearings as used on the 1930s models. The 00152x is the cup, as you noted, and has an outer diameter of 1.4375". The other are the cone being 00080x and 00081x (pretty sure there are three zeros), though I forget what the difference is between the two. I have seen both, and one would certainly be 0.500" bore. The other might be 0.4375" bore, which Douglas did use on the 350cc models, and for the front axle of some of the big twin models. Last time I was able to buy some of the 00152x was 1987. These cups and cone are very difficult to find now. Both cones use the same cup.

Original SKF numbers would be W5700 for the 7/16" bore and W5840 for the 1/2" bore.

I have no idea what on a Jaguar might be using these small taper roller bearings, but I am pretty sure it would not be a wheel bearing!

-Doug

[Jagman]

Morning gents!

Looks like I've found someone who knows about these bearings. Cheers, Doug! My man has given me these measures: Outer diameter 36.5mm and inner diameter 12.5mm thickness is 18mm.

It's one of four wheel bearings on his lass. Are the mentioned SKF bearings readily available? He needs just one as he's got three and a half already.

Thank you for your responses!

Best regards,
Bard Thomas

[Doug]

Bard,

The bearings are inch sizes, so the metric dimensions given are slightly off. One of the problems with the old Dougies is these wheel bearings have not been in production for a long time, and the existing old stock is pretty much depleted. When I bought four cups in 1987 (US$3.11 each) my bearing stockist was only able to find four via his national contacts, in the USA. They also were able to find some cones which at that time were already $US56 each. I should have got them too, as later when I changed my mind they were gone. About ten years ago a friend in the UK needed the same bearings, and after quite a search turned up two or so at the equivalent of US$360 each!

Recently in the New ConRod magazine (magazine of the London Douglas Motor Cycle Club) there was an article on convertion of the 1930s hubs to sealed currently available sealed ball bearings. I did a comprehensive article on the same subject many years ago incorporating a stronger axle design, drawings an description which also ran in the New ConRod. I have also supplied PDF files of the same more recently to forum members. So if you friend wants to go that route (which requires a fair bit machining but not irrevocable modification to original parts) then PM me an email address to send it to.

-Doug