Quite extraordinary: c1908 Model A petrol tank

[cardan]

Here's something that doesn't come along too often: a petrol tank from the very first model Douglas in "original paint".

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184235114844

It's expensive, but also very rare and usable if you own a Model A missing its tank. (I doubt you could make one for the price, and it would add way more than the purchase cost to the value of a machine.) The rest of us can just marvel at the complexity and craftsmanship of this early tank. I'd never noticed, for example, that there is a "D" cutaway in the left side of the tank - for magneto cooling? Brilliant.

I hope someone on the forum has a use for it.

Cheers

Leon

[EW-Ron]

Its almost worth buying that tank, and then looking for a bike to fit it !
Not having noted too many Model A's about, are they rare ?

What colour would you call that tank, is it silver (or aluminium silver).

[cardan]

Yes, 'silver' originally I think. Not sure what part of the paint make-up causes it to go so yellow in old age.

Leon

[cardan]

I just noticed the mark on the left side of the tank where the flywheel has rubbed...

Rare? Yes I think so: https://www.douglasmotorcycles.net/index.php?topic=2087

Cheers

Leon