Author Topic: Mark 1 no frame number?  (Read 8001 times)

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Offline Dougie

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Mark 1 no frame number?
« on: 15 May 2010 at 08:19 »
I cant seem to find the frame number on a Mark 1, ( i presume) and yes am looking in the right place, the fellow before said he could not find it either.it has been taken back to the brass with care and no numbers to be found? Engine Number T35/S/1041 can any one help with these numbers please.
any help would be great.
Cheers


« Last Edit: 16 May 2010 at 22:23 by Dave »
The Spirit of Douglas

Offline Doug

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Re: Mark 1 no frame number?
« Reply #1 on: 15 May 2010 at 18:17 »
Doug,

It looks from the rear sub-frame lower mounting point, that your T35 has one of the replacement frames. The earlier design was prone to breaking the frame just above the bottom rear frame lugs. There are other reported replacement frames that were not stamped with any serial number.

-Doug

Offline MRD

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Re: Mark 1 no frame number?
« Reply #2 on: 15 May 2010 at 21:06 »
Doug

I agree with Doug K, I too have one of these replacement frames, and there is no evidence of frame Numbers anywhere.
I suspect these frames were sent out to dealers to change customer machines into after the originals broke and then stamp up with the customers frame number.
And if it was a faulty T35 or Mk3 they would send out a re- designed sub frame. I also have the same redesigned sub frame
It looks like both your frame and mine may have missed the stamping process.
Regards             Martin

Offline Dougie

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Re: Mark 1 no frame number?
« Reply #3 on: 15 May 2010 at 22:00 »
Thanks for your help on the matter, Oh well bit of bad luck there. :(
From my engine numbers, can we tell where it came from and is it really a Mark 1 47 model?
What do you think?
Cheers
The Spirit of Douglas

Offline eddie

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Re: Mark 1 no frame number?
« Reply #4 on: 16 May 2010 at 07:33 »
Dougie,
             Your engine number T35/S/1041 shows it is a Mk1. The 'S' stands for spring frame - the interest shown in the torsion bar rear suspension resulted in Douglas abandoning the rigid frame version at the development stage! The engine numbers for the Mk1 ran from 100 to somewhere in the region of 3000. The Mk2 never went into production, so the Mk3 series started with engine number 4000. From entries in the LDMCC machine register, your bike was probably produced in the latter half of 1947.
                              Regards,
                                          Eddie.

Offline Dougie

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Re: Mark 1 no frame number?
« Reply #5 on: 16 May 2010 at 08:25 »
Eddie,
Thankyou for your help, much appreciated. I am learning alot from experts like yourselfs about these wonderful bikes, Must say i do love my Douglas, still in the process of finishing it off, tank and wheel centres etc. Motor all done. I also read somewhere that around 2,500 MK1's were made.
Thanks Again for all the help
Dougie.
The Spirit of Douglas

Offline Reg

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Re: Mark 1 no frame number?
« Reply #6 on: 16 May 2010 at 10:54 »
Dougie,

I can confirm, for your interest, that machine with engine number 1041 was originally sent from the factory in Kingswood, Bristol to the Todd Group of Wellington, N.Z. on 3rd September 1947. This is taken from the original factory despatch records. It is also apparent that with the T35 or Mark 1 only the engine number was recorded. It is no use quoting frame numbers for these models without having the engine number.

Reg



Quote of previous post removed - Dave, 16th May 2010
« Last Edit: 16 May 2010 at 12:05 by Dave »