1908 veteran Douglas motorcycle petrol tank in original paint & good condition.
I believe this is an original veteran Douglas motorcycle petrol tank for the 2-3/4 H.P. Model “A”. It was much the same as the 1907 model, but with minor updates. This may not have been designated as a Model “A”. Adverts at the time don’t mention the “A”. It may have been described this way when the Model B came into production in 1909.
If you go to this page on the History of Douglas motorcycles by model, you will see an image for the 1908 motorcycle. The ignition is now by magneto, with an exposed drive gear. There is recess in the petrol tank to clear the magneto.
Apparently up to 50 machines were made. I doubt that many original frames remain. However, this fuel tank appears to be in original paint and is ideal for someone to use as reference when making a new tank.
You can just make out the original inscription on this Douglas motorcycle petrol tank; “The Douglas“. On the right flank, just above the petrol tap, there are three settings: “ENGINE”, “OFF”, “TANK”. At first glance I thought this had been added later. On closer inspection, the text is so precise, I think it may be original.
The tank has 4 fixing holes on the top, for the clips to attach to the top frame rail. On the left side, it retails the original oil level sight glass.
On the top, it has oil hand pump through the tank to the original tap and oil line. The petrol and oil filler holes don’t have caps. However, they are the same small size as most of the fuel tanks in that pioneer period for motorcycles. I have a 1904 Rex (with a surface carb) that has similar sized openings for oil and fuel. Approximate OD of the threads for these openings is 1″. The underside shows the original paint colour well in the front section. The rear half has a little more surface corrosion. The rear half had the fuel tap. It’s now a hole and a tap mount will need to be soldered-in.
Dimensions for this Douglas motorcycle petrol tank are approximate. If you wish to replicate this tank, I suggest that you get in touch and come and measure it yourself.
TOP:
- Overall length: 25-3/4″
- Length before the tank narrows: 20-1/4″
- Narrowest points (front & rear): 1″
- Filler centres: 5-1/4″ apart
- Oil pump centre distance from the front of tank where it begins to narrow: 6-3/4″
- Centres between the top tank mounts: 1-13/16″
- Distance between front & rear tank mounts (centres): 12-5/8″
UNDERSIDE:
- Overall length: 21-1/2″”
- Length before the tank narrows: 16-1/4″
- Narrowest points (front & rear): 1″
- Cut-out length (Front to rear): 4″
- Cut-out depth: 3″
- Tap / pump centres from the edges: approx 1″
PLEASE NOTE: This original 1908 tank is not currently for sale. It is on here to provide reference information to those that need it.
Condition of the veteran Douglas motorcycle petrol tank.
It’s in remarkable condition, given that it is over 115 years old. The paint appears to be original. It shows how the tanks were painted then, with a very simple single black pinstripe. It has light surface corrosion, but is solid and decent inside.
There is a small (resolvable) ding on the left side, near the filler.
The fuel tap is missing. As stated above, it needs a new mount to be fitted. The oil pump is fitted, but will need to have new washers installed as there is no friction.
Other Douglas motorcycle parts.
I have a few prewar Douglas spare parts. I am mostly into Douglas 2-3/4 H.P. Models. So I have a few spares for those. Please see the Douglas parts for sale. Or, ask me as I don’t advertise everything.
Swaps for this veteran Douglas motorcycle petrol tank
Wanted. Anything Douglas Veteran (pre 1915). I am happy to discuss part-exchange of suitable Douglas parts in exchange for some of the parts that you see for sale on the site. Also, if you have a Pre-1915 Douglas motorcycle to sell, please contact me.
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Buyer notes for the veteran Douglas motorcycle petrol tank
Shipping is an additional cost. Please check on postage cost before you buy.
1908 veteran Douglas motorcycle petrol tank in original paint & good condition
I will provide a quote.
International shipping available. Please ask. Combined shipping available.
Viewing: Please come and check it over before you buy. It is at PE28, near St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
Shipping: I usually ship to most destinations. If you don’t see a price, please ask. Thanks. International shipping available.
Collection: If you don’t want it shipped, I have plenty of space. If you can’t collect for a while, it’s not a problem. However, I will need to be paid very soon after the sale. Thanks.
Payment: Good old fashioned money on collection is preferred. I can accept payment through PayPal or by bank transfer as well. EUROS, I can take euros. Message me for a price and how to pay.
Import Taxes: Please note that IMPORT DUTIES are not something I can control. If you are buying from outside the UK, there is a chance that you will have to pay import taxes. Import taxes vary from country to country. If there are charges to pay, it is the buyer’s responsibility to research the cost and pay the duties. The price that you see on my advert is for the item and not the item plus whatever taxes might be due.
