Author Topic: Old family photo  (Read 3388 times)

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Offline Parsnips

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Old family photo
« on: 02 Oct 2020 at 12:06 »
Here's one for you, not sure exactly what model.
Taken in the early 1920's is a photo of my gran (teen in sidecar) with her Uncle Charlie and his outfit. Note he may have had a puncture.
Are there any of these around anymore?

Mark



[Fix image aspect ratio. 01Oct20 -Doug, Admin]
« Last Edit: 02 Oct 2020 at 15:09 by Doug »

Offline cardan

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #1 on: 03 Oct 2020 at 02:41 »
Hi Mark.

That's a lovely photo of the relatives. The bike looks to be a 1914-15 "3 1/2" - the 500cc twin. It was replaced by the 4 hp (600cc) twin around 1915-16, and was produced in this form into the early 1920s. But of interest is the unusual carburettor, which looks to be the French Vici. So far as I know these weren't fitted by Douglas themselves, but were mentioned in the spec of fully-reconditioned WD bikes that were sold in quite large numbers after the war. Perhaps great uncle Charlie was lucky enough to purchase one of these reconditioned bikes around 1920?

Cheers

Leon

Offline cardan

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #2 on: 03 Oct 2020 at 13:09 »
Reconditioned Douglases, from Burlington's, fitted with Vici carburettors. From The Motor Cycle, 4 August 1921.

Leon

Offline graeme

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #3 on: 04 Oct 2020 at 01:37 »
This is a 4HP model, later than 1914. I would think around 1917 or 18. It has the later forks, and also has oil in the fuel tank with a pump, the 3 1/2hp models don't have this

Offline cardan

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #4 on: 04 Oct 2020 at 02:06 »
I defer to you on this one Graeme! Beyond the interesting carb, I didn't look at the bike too closely, other than I thought the front down tubes of the frame were half-round. Must be an optical illusion.

Is the sidecar chassis the design used on the WD 4hp machines? Or a "brand new Burlington sidecar"?

Cheers

Leon

Offline graeme

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #5 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 03:22 »
Hi Leon

I didn't take much notice of the front tubes, but you're right, they are half round. And I was wrong about the forks too, they are the earlier type. Hmm, very interesting. Now I see that the oil pump arrangement is not the type standard on later 4hp models either; but still the 3 1/2hp doesn't carry oil in the tank. I wonder if it is cobbled together with whatever was to hand at the time? The sidecar frame does however look standard Douglas of the war time era

Cheers, Graeme

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #6 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 07:01 »
I have in my photos collection photo with the same Douglas from the same photo studio. Please look at wooden box supported sidecar.
Best regards Artur

Offline cardan

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #7 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 07:34 »
Nice one Artur!

Graeme, the bike might be a bit of a mix of ex-WD parts, which would not be a surprise if the photos were taken in the 1920s after the bike had been though a "renovation". There are some truly astonishing photos of motorcycle graveyards at the end of the war, and I can't imagine anyone involved in fixing up the bikes for reselling would be much interested in originality.

I have never seen a VICI carburettor in the flesh, and the only bikes I've seen them on (other than renovated Douglases) are weird small things like the post-war Whippet scooter. Trust me, no-one wants a Whippet scooter.

Cheers

Leon

Offline Parsnips

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #8 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 07:43 »
Wow. That's interesting Artur.
Is there any indication where the studio was?
We were always told that Charlie regularly ran from London up to Manchester on the bike to see the family. Obviously not the one in the photo after all.

Mark

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #9 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 08:12 »
Hi Mark
I will look at the back of photo and I will let you know. I bought this photo maby 10 year ago with other one.  I will send other Douglas photos (postcards) on this post from my collection.

Best regards Artur

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #10 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 08:20 »
Hi
Here others Douglas photos (postcards) from my collection.
Best regards Artur

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #11 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 08:22 »
next one
Best regards Artur

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #12 on: 05 Oct 2020 at 18:35 »
HI Mark
I checked photo/postcard with ladies and no any details about photo studio .
Best regards Artur

Offline cardan

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #13 on: 06 Oct 2020 at 08:31 »
Thanks for posting your postcards Artur. I love to look at clear photos of bikes that are not from a sales catalogue.

My favourite bike belongs to the Corporal with the twin tool boxes and the "all black" (often called "weatherproof") finish. Hardly a speck of nickel other than the spoke nipples. Sunbeam used a similar finish - with just a little more nickel - to great effect.

My favourite photo is the young lady sitting side-saddle: I bet it was a photo that was special in a couple of lives.

Cheers

Leon

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #14 on: 06 Oct 2020 at 11:18 »
Hi Leon
You are right . Young lady sitting side-saddle in my opinion was a "heartbreaker lady" for a lot of mens.
But my favourite photo is gentelman in siut and cap.

Best regards Artur

Offline Parsnips

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #15 on: 06 Oct 2020 at 12:32 »
Hello Artur,

How strange that you have a very similar photo to mine. They must have been taken very close together - possibly on the same day.
The bike is obviously a prop set up somewhere for photos.
You have some interesting photos that seem really good quality - my favourite is the gent with the overcoat and shiny shoes. I wonder what was in the bags on his carrier?

Mark

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #16 on: 06 Oct 2020 at 12:50 »
Hi Mark

Mark wrote: I wonder what was in the bags on his carrier?   
In my opinion it is a pilion saddle made from "pillows". I saw several photos with
"home made" pilion seat from pillows. Maby I'm wrong but some photos confirmed my opinion.




Best regards Artur

Offline graeme

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #17 on: 08 Oct 2020 at 05:56 »
That wartime outfit pictured is a 1915/16 4HP model, with the beefed-up veteran style forks, before they changed to the new style in 1917. I note also that it has that oil pump mounted on the side of the tank. So perhaps the original photo is just a repainted ex-WD 4HP, with the carburetor replaced

Offline arturro

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Re: Old family photo
« Reply #18 on: 29 Oct 2020 at 07:36 »
Hi Mark
Another Douglas and Ladies photo from the same studio like yours photo.    I found it in internet.

Best regards Artur