Author Topic: Aero 250 1936 (Read 4129 times)

Tazmantic · « **on:** 18 Aug 2020 at 18:31 »

Thought it was about time I posted some pics of my dougli

Tazmantic · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Aug 2020 at 18:37 »

Douglas 2, work in progress and poss. not looking to some peoples liking..

Image orientation fixed - Dave, 18 Aug 2020

Parsnips · « **Reply #2 on:** 06 Oct 2020 at 12:36 »

Taz,
My 250 Comet has a very similar reg no: CXP 104!

Mark

Tazmantic · « **Reply #3 on:** 06 Oct 2020 at 21:00 »

Hi Mark,

Another 250 man was starting to think I was the only one lol, both mine are aero but as you can see they are a bit different especially the petrol tanks just wondered what the tank was like on yours as its a comet??

Cheers Neil

Parsnips · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 Oct 2020 at 09:54 »

Hi Neil,
The tank on mine seems the same as yours in the top photos.
I have a different type Lucas headlight though, do you know if it is the correct type for a 1935 Comet?

Mark

[Fix image aspect ratio. 07Oct20. Doug, Admin]

Tazmantic · « **Reply #5 on:** 07 Oct 2020 at 19:41 »

Hi Mark,

I'm thinking Douglas defiantly mixed and matched in them years as I was on the understanding the tank on my first one was an aero tank and as for the light that's the same as the one I have for the 2nd one just not fitted it yet.

Cheers Neil

Doug · « **Reply #6 on:** 08 Oct 2020 at 00:25 »

According to the catalog (caveat-emptor!) the 1935 lightweights had the 'bulbous' tank and the 1936 models reverted to the 'slim' tanks.

-Doug

Tazmantic · « **Reply #7 on:** 08 Oct 2020 at 07:19 »

Thanks Doug,

That’s very interesting and proves me wrong again, so could that indicate my first bike was built in 1935 but not registered till 1936 because out of the 2 I think that’s more original.

Neil

Doug · « **Reply #8 on:** 08 Oct 2020 at 07:47 »

Neil,

Well they both appear to be 1936 frames. The front down tube is welded to the engine rails and not a brazed lug. However, you can not trust catalog illustrations 100%.

-Doug

Tazmantic · « **Reply #9 on:** 08 Oct 2020 at 18:05 »

Thanks Doug did wonder how you could tell the difference, been trawling the web for decent pics but couldn’t find any. So are the engines the same too between the aero and comet as mine look different.

Cheers Neil

Doug · « **Reply #10 on:** 09 Oct 2020 at 00:25 »

Neil,

Well that and the Cotswold/Comet frame would be a "FY" prefix and the 1936 Aero frame would be a "AD" or "AF" depending if it were a 250 or 350cc. Not sure why, or what, the difference was between a 250 or 350cc Aero frame.

Between 1934 and 35 the engines lost the old style port gland nuts and changed to the flange mount intake and exhaust manifold. They also changed to the plate cylinder head. Here though is an oddity. Those features were introduced on the 1932 Bulldog as a lightweight 500cc based on a A/31 (350cc) bottom end. It used aluminium for the heads. Yet in 1934 the model Y1 and Y2 (350, 500cc) are shown with the older style detachable (non-plate) head and gland ports. Further, it is described as detachable head, and it is the 250cc model Y that is described and shown as having the plate heads. Also the flanged ports that all models would acquire the following year. Why the light 500 would revert to the old style head and the lowly 250cc get the latest plate head is a weird juxtaposition.

Anyway, between 1935 and 1936-37 there does not seem to have been any change in the engines. This is supported by the engine codes; the 250cc being 25/B for 1935-36 and the 350cc having 35/F for those two years.

-Doug

Identifying old Douglas motorcycles. Part 2: 1920s and 1930s (excluding 2-3/4 and 4hp).

https://www.douglasmotorcycles.net/aa-files/html/identify-part2/vintage4.8.htm

Cliffy73 · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Oct 2020 at 20:47 »

Here's a couple of pics of my 1935 Aero 250. Been a pleasure to restore. Just needs registering now.

Image converted to linked file - Dave,26Nov2021

Tazmantic · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Oct 2020 at 22:16 »

Hi Cliffy very nice indeed and it looks like yours has the same tank, barrels and cylinder heads as my 2nd one so is still making me wonder if the first one I bought is actually comet parts in an aero frame....

Parsnips · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Oct 2020 at 07:46 »

Thanks Neil,
I will try 45 deg timing and see how it goes.
Some nice 250 pictures, I will post some of mine when it's back together.

Mark

Cliffy73 · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Oct 2020 at 15:45 »

Back then they was making the bikes out of any spare parts they had in stores. I have a second engine which I'm building which is out of a model Y 250. It has a cast adaptor plate on the bottom to fit the Aero frame. Your first bike looks very much like a comet apart from the rear mudguard.

Doug · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Oct 2020 at 16:33 »

I'd like to see a picture of that adapter, I have not seen one before.

-Doug

Cliffy73 · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Oct 2020 at 17:15 »

I'll take some pics and post them on tomorrow.

Tazmantic · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Oct 2020 at 18:33 »

Quote from: Cliffy73 on 12 Oct 2020 at 15:45

Back then they was making the bikes out of any spare parts they had in stores. I have a second engine which I'm building which is out of a model Y 250. It has a cast adaptor plate on the bottom to fit the Aero frame. Your first bike looks very much like a comet apart from the rear mudguard.

That's exactly what I was thinking they wouldn't just throw parts away so if mine was a very early aero they could well of used comet parts on it, be good to find some high res pics of both models.

Cheers Neil

Cliffy73 · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Oct 2020 at 18:33 »

Heres a pic of the adapter plate I mentioned the other day. I reckon they are Model Y cases.

Image converted to linked file - Dave,26Nov2021

Doug · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Oct 2020 at 19:24 »

Well that is interesting. One thing I had not paid attention to until seeing this is that the 1934 model Y, Y1, and Y2 had the flat bottom to the crankcase. In 1935 they clamped to a pair of frame tubes. So an adapter to us the 1934 and earlier lightweight engines in the 1935-36 type lightweight frames. Is there a Kingswood trademark visible on it anywhere?

-Doug

Cliffy73 · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 Oct 2020 at 20:13 »

I can't see any marks on it but it was really badly corroded when I got it so the May well have been on it when new.

Image converted to linked file - Dave,26Nov2021

Parsnips · « **Reply #21 on:** 09 Jan 2022 at 16:14 »

Here's some pics of my Aero 250, also 1936. It's the first time in daylight after many years. Its complete and a runner now finished the wiring over Christmas, just needs a good run.

Mark

Tazmantic · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 Jan 2022 at 17:40 »

Hi Mark, wow that's very nice all the other 250's on here certainly show mine up.

Neil