Douglas Dragonfly

The Douglas Dragonfly is a motorcycle designed and built by Douglas motorcycles in Bristol. The last motorcycle produced by the company, the 1955 Dragonfly was an all-new motorcycle built to use an improved version of an existing engine. Despite its riding comfort, which was "equal to a car's", it did not sell well, and only 1,457 Dragonfly motorcycles were produced before the company was taken over and production ended in 1957.[1][2]Very few Douglas motorcycles survive today making it one of the rarest motorcycles for collectors.

Douglas Dragonfly
ManufacturerDouglas Motorcycle Company, Bristol
Production1955–1957
PredecessorDouglas 500 cc
SuccessorNone
Engine348 cc (21.2 cu in) four stroke, OHV, flat twin
Top speed70 mph (110 km/h)[1]
Power17 bhp (13 kW) @ 5,500 rpm[1]
Ignition typeCoil
TransmissionFour speed manual, chain final drive
Frame typetubular double cradle
SuspensionLeading link, front: Swingarm with twin hydraulic shock absorber, rear
BrakesDrum, front and rear
Weight365.6 lb (165.8 kg)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity5.5 imp gal (25 l; 6.6 US gal)
Fuel consumption55 mpg‑US (4.3 L/100 km; 66 mpg‑imp)[1]

History

After World War II Douglas was in financial difficulty and reduced its output to the 350 cc flat-twin engine models. The flat twin had been the Douglas trademark since 1906 and had a long history of Isle of Man TT racing successes.[3]

Development

The Dragonfly was known as the Dart while in development and was based on the Mark V Douglas and an earlier 500 cc (31 cu in) prototype. Aiming to overcome the outdated image, designers were commissioned from the Reynolds Tube Company to develop a completely new open duplex frame of welded tubing, including a swinging arm with twin Girling dampers (state of the art for the time) with leading link front suspension. The strengthened and streamlined 348 cubic centimetres (21.2 cu in) engine had a modern coil ignition, AC generator and distributor, with bolt-through cast iron cylinders and heads and pushrods made from Duralumin.[4]

Launch
Douglas Dragonfly in distinctive alternative factory livery

The launch of the Dragonfly was the last chance of survival for the Douglas company when it featured at the 1954 Earls Court motorcycle show in a big display held in a giant micrometer. Although it aroused a lot of interest, Douglas' finances did not allow them to exploit demand and the Dragonfly did not go into volume production for nine months.[4]

Decline

As well as suffering from production delays, the Dragonfly was bigger and heavier than its predecessors and its raw power was too difficult to handle for most riders. It was also noisy and acceleration was rather unpredictable. Douglas decided to concentrate on importing Vespa scooters which were increasing in popularity, and only 1500 Dragonfly motorcycles were ever built.[1][2] The Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd bought Douglas out in 1956, and production of Douglas Motorcycles ended in 1957 with the final Dragonflys being sold at discount by London dealer Pride & Clarke.[1]

See also

References
  1. Brown, Roland (November–December 2007). "1955 Douglas Dragonfly". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  2. "Douglas Dragonfly". Retrieved 25 October 2008.
  3. Brown, Roland (2002). Classic Motorcycles. Joanna Lorenz. ISBN 1-84038-433-6.
  4. Kemp, Andrew; De Cet, Mirco (2004). Classic British Bikes. Bookmart Ltd. ISBN 1-86147-136-X.
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