Vintage Pics of the Day

[Steve Slocombe]

That French postcard looks to be dated October 1904. It seems like two of the racers are bicycle pacer machines competing on a wooden velodrome track.

[Jarek]

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[JoJo357]

*M.A.D.*
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[exeric]

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The 5 jersey wearing racers look no more than 15 years old. I can't recommend Don Emde's book, 'The Speed Kings' enough if you want to know more about that era.

[T. Cotten]

My copy says St, Louis Motordrome Aug 30 1914, Eric..

And this is listed the same day, as 'john-b-hoefeler-paul-schmidt':

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Its even been snagged for a fantasy pic:

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....Cotten

[Jarek]

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[JoJo357]

*M.A.D.*
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[Steve Slocombe]

Dear JoJo, do you have any more information on the first picture in #4233? It is a Douglas fore-and-aft flat twin, but not the usual 350 cc/2 3/4 hp solo but the 500 cc or then 600 cc version that came out in 1914, primarily intended for sidecar use in WW1, which may have influenced the 1920 Indian Scout. The registration is for Bristol, where the bikes were built, and ran through 1920, so I'm guessing late 'teens. It has tall gearing with that small rear pulley, and the adjustable front pulley, so may have been intended for racing.

[JoJo357]

Dear JoJo, do you have any more information on the first picture in #4233? It is a Douglas fore-and-aft flat twin, but not the usual 350 cc/2 3/4 hp solo but the 500 cc or then 600 cc version that came out in 1914, primarily intended for sidecar use in WW1, which may have influenced the 1920 Indian Scout. The registration is for Bristol, where the bikes were built, and ran through 1920, so I'm guessing late 'teens. It has tall gearing with that small rear pulley, and the adjustable front pulley, so may have been intended for racing.

Hello Steve, how are You. Sorry, i've checked around and that Douglas was just a random picture with zero information behind it. Maybe someone else might be able to shed a little light on that Douglas? I've always admired the Douglas, and I would also be curious on it's history.

*M.A.D.*

[Steve Slocombe]

Thanks JoJo. I'll ask the London Douglas Club but it could take a while.

[RichO]

Rich Hardmeyer a former racer and fellow Fort Sutter member has a wicked purpose built racinjg Douglas. Super low and super fast. I believe it to be factory built and a possible 500.

[pem]

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[Steve Slocombe]

Thanks Rich and most of those racing Douglases were 600 cc. I remember getting easily beaten by a '28 Douglas special on the quarter mile sprint against my 1934 VL with twice the engine capacity.

[Jarek]

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[JoJo357]

*M.A.D.*

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*Ben Hardy~Builder & Creator of the 'Easy Rider' Motorcycles.
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*ALTAMONT~1969
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