Tank Painting

[Eric S]

Hello there
Trying to open a new thread as I don't seem to gezt any reply to my main post.

I made a mistake and need to have my Douglas aero tank repainted
Chrome is rusted on the rear so may have it completely re-chromed & re-painted
Any Adress in UK or Europe?
I am in France

[EW-Ron]

How rusty is this rusty area ?
Small-ish areas can be treated with dabbed on phosphoric acid,
to remove that rusty look, and clearcoated over to prevent a re-occurence.
Tank chroming is an expensive business these days.

Any good auto painter could strip off that crazed paint, and redo.
Getting the gold pinstripe may be trickier.
Any truck painters in your area ? (camions).

[Eric S]

You're right, I may have it painted and leave the chrome as is. There is some spots in the chrome near the saddle almost hidden by the saddle.
But there is also a couple of dents so it could be really an extensive job to have it re-chromed.
I did not planned to restore the tank but I damaged the top blue paint so exploring options...

That leaves the paint and it should be easier to find "just" a painter.
Waiting for replies and have been looking around in France too.
I learned of a Lewis Templeton - Specialists in classic motorcycle paintwork but he seems to be out of business.
I also heard of The Paint studio at Ilkeston Derbyshire that I may contact.

[EW-Ron]

Someone in your local car club could likely recommend someone more local ?
Everyone needs new paint, eventually ??

Folks doing modern stuff could likely do repaints on older machinery.
Its not like the Duggie paint schemes are overly complicated. ?
Just needs a fuel-proof paint type, and masked around the perimeter to keep the chrome showing.

[Eric S]

I am in classic cars for decades and never had to have a paint done ! I am doing some powder coating and some epoxy coating on frame parts but I never needed a body paint.
So I don't know much close to me.
That's why I tried to find one specialised in classic bikes.
But sure it's just a paint...

[EW-Ron]

I am in classic cars for decades and never had to have a paint done !

Thats impressive. (or a wise choice of old cars).
Most old paints here are not UV resistant.
Even modern stuff has difficulty keeping its shine, long term

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d7/8d/23/d78d23dab99c6fca6c63dbca218995c8.jpg

[Dads bike]

Afternoon Eric
Sorry I replied to your post on the Endeavour blue thread

Steve

[Eric S]

Yes I saw that
Thank you for this information

[Eric S]

Steve
Replying here after your comment on "Endeavour blue".
My bike is a 1937, not a 36 as said.
I will forward engine frame and gear box numbers later.
From discussions on another post, I had comment that inners of the engine was a mix between 36 and 37...

[Eric S]

Frame is 6P404
Engine is 6/L178
GearBox 30/237

[Dads bike]

Afternoon Eric
Have attached some pictures of how the 1937 tank should look, Note that they are not wholly correct! The minor errors are the side panels are very slightly to large, the line around the side panels should terminate under the knee grip rubber rather than extending beyond and the sharp pointed ends to the lining should have 1/8” radius.
Note also that there are no gold pinstripes on the 37 Aero, that includes the black enamel band on the raised section of the wheels.
Steve.

[Eric S]

Steve

The only gear box number I can see is 60/237 (I said 30/237 earlier but it's a mis-stamped 6 I guess).

Here are pictures of the right hand side of the bike and engine as you requested on your message to me.
Adding the gear box.

Now what are the odds that the tank pattern I have is correct? I mean you're talking about a Pride & Clarke bike but I understood that Douglas resumed selling the bikes in 1937 (after Pride & Clarke for 1936). May be they sold those with the tank paint my bike currently wears and this is a 1937 DOuglas sold bike!?

[cardan]

Some late 1930s Douglas guff here: https://www.douglasmotorcycles.net/index.php?topic=8768.0 including illustrations of the bikes and discussion of marketing of the later bikes by Pride & Clark and Comerfords.

Leon

[Dads bike]

Morning Eric
The chances of your tank being of the correct design and colour for a mid production run (from your frame number) are virtually none.
For 1937 Douglas produced the completed machines and Pride and Clarke were the sole distributors.

Now your gearbox is interesting.
The number is actually 6Q/ 237 that is a 1935 foot change gearbox. Albeit your box has had the foot change option removed and replaced with the hand change casing
During 1937 Douglas motors made the foot change option available as an optional extra, see the pics of the extracts.

Steve

[Eric S]

Thank you Leon for this thread. I will read it thoroughly but later, there is so much information, I need to read it near the bike !

Steve
So sounds like my mistake is going to end up in a more correct bike, although there is a LOT left here.
Can't tell for sure from pictures but is it a Douglas blue tank?
So frame made in 37, but how can one tell if it was or not a "Pride & Clarke" bike? Maybe the reply is in Leon's link...

I am addding below the information you sent me by message for ease of later access
The frame 6P 404 is from a 1937 Aero roughly half way through the production run.
The engine 6/L 178 is an early 1936 unit the number shows that this engine was No 77 off the production line for the 6/L type.
The gearbox 6Q/237  is a 1935 foot change gearbox. Albeit it has had the foot change option removed and replaced with the hand change casing
During 1937 Douglas motors made the foot change option available as an optional extra, see the pics of the extracts.

[LENBOY]

Gearbox's with the 6/Q serials were standard 4 speed hand change box's from the last run of 1938 Aero's which as far as I am aware were the only pre war models to have all three serial numbers the same i.e Frame, Engine & Gearbox's. Hope this helps. Len.