1935 Douglas 500cc Endeavour vintage motorcycle project with most parts & V5 (old blue one)
The Douglas Endeavour is one of the rarest of the Douglas motorcycles.
The Douglas was radical in many ways. The Douglas Experimental Department departed from their now-familiar engine layout with chain drive. The Endeavour featured shaft drive and the twin cylinder engine was mounted transversely into an frame that was altered to accommodate this.
Even though they had designed-in the shaft drive, Douglas retained the hand gear change even though most of their competitors were moving to foot change. Final drive was through a large 4-speed gearbox.
Douglas Motorcycles held the bike in high esteem and retailed it as such. Consequently, sales were slow and not many were sold. I don’t have the figures on how many were sold, but I believe the number was less than 200. I’m sure the Douglas Club will have a register of how many survive, but I can only guess that you will be the owner of a very rare Douglas Endeavour.
This is a project. It does not necessarily have all of the parts. The present owner’s family have a picture of the bike before the well-known Douglas enthusiast took it apart. He had made a start of restoration of a few components (Painted petrol tank and a brake). But he found other projects more distracting, so it has remained in boxes.
This bike comes with a Blue V5. The registration number is BXH406 and the frame & engine numbers matches the log book.
Before I list the parts (mostly shown in the images), I want to point out that the images have a few other spares. They will be available separately as we have another Endeavour project that is a little less than complete. So, the list below is what will be included:
- Frame #AA184
- Engine case #5/J172
- Cylinder barrels (one pair)
- Cylinder heads (one pair)
- Engine covers
- Dynamo & Magneto
- Gearbox x 1
- Petrol tank – repainted and with both caps
- Rear drive hub (refurbished)
- Foot plates Pr
- Terry saddle
- Front and rear wheels
- Original exhausts and silencers
- Front assembly inc Girder forks, Headlight, mudguard and stays, number plate, handlebars
- Cooper Stewart 0-80 speedometer with fr wheel drive. A correct period accessory.
- Centre stand
- Rear mudguard section
- Tool box (x 1)
- Pr stays
- Boxes (as shown) with sundry items)
If you require additional images, please let me know.
There are other spares that can be bought, such as a spare engine case with connecting rods, various cylinder barrels, cylinder heads, a tool box, other brake hubs, other mudguards, and even a further project that is shown on another page.
Apologies for the dark pictures. They aren’t my best. It was late afternoon on a Winter’s day.
Viewing: By appointment. I will make the arrangements with the family, as I am only offering this on their behalf.
Location: Cambridge, UK. More info supplied after discussion.
Payment: Bank transfer, direct to the family
Contact: In the first instance, please contact me on here. The telephone number is showing at the top of the page if you prefer to call.
