Short run and walk round of refurbished 1957 Douglas Dragonfly.

[@bwghall1]

I am 85 now, always wanted one back in the early 1950s. just loved the look of it. at the time I was riding a sunbeam 500cc s/7/8 and a BMW boxer. never had a Velecette ether .

[@calderdale6795]

Same here! I saw one coming home from junior school in the fifties and loved the look of it in stone and green . Also never had a Velo because I never could start them. Recently had a ride on a Viper which was much quicker than the Fly for the same cc. My chum had to start it though!

[@hoyhoytoo6772]

Unusual machine, thanks for the video, Alan.

[@garymillerlcs]

Great video. I had a shock when I saw the reg plate as we have a few photos of my dad on the one he bought new in 1957 and had to let go in the 1960’s. His was TYP 292, so at first I thought it had survived in your hands. Amazing coincidence even if it’s one letter different! He always intended to buy one again, and certainly would, had we ever seen this particular one for sale! Hope you continue to enjoy it. Thanks for posting the video. It certainly brought back the memories!

[@calderdale6795]

@@garymillerlcs Thanks Gary. All the Dragonflys were bought up by Pride and Clarke when Douglas went bust . Hence all the Pride and Clarke bikes are registered TYP. The bike will be available soon. I have to down size and quite a few bikes will have to go.

[@garymillerlcs]

@@calderdale6795 Thanks very much for your message. That’s very interesting to hear. Yours is TYR though. Was this not a Pride and Clarke one then? Ours was registered in June 1957 I believe. If you do end up putting it up sale, maybe you could let us know when and what company is selling it. I’m not sure however whether it’s actually possible to communicate via KZbin though other than on the comments! Gary

[@SOLOMOTOUK]

Hi Alan what a beautiful bike right little treasure there be honest with you I’ve never seen one until now thank you for sharing it 👍🙏

[@Vladimir-hq1ne]

Looks beautiful!

[@gordondavies7379]

The Douglas Dragonfly had many problems because unlike the previous MK5 machine it only had the 1 carburetor. With the MK5 each it had 2 carburetors one on each cylinder. I once owned a MK 5 and it was a nice little machine. People would ask me if I was afraid of damaging one of the pots and I would lean the bike over to see how far you would have to lean to do any damage.

[@calderdale6795]

Agreed Gordon. Also that single carb was likely to ice up in winter because of the long induction runs. Happened to me when I first had it. I bought a second carb to do the twin carb mod but never got around to it. I just used my A10 instead. If Douglas hadn’t gone bust I’m sure they would have developed the machine and sorted the carburation and weak front brake.

[@tacfoley4443]

Your lawn is bigger than our village..........

[@calderdale6795]

The wide angle camera makes everything seem much bigger than it really is. It also seems to make hills look less steep and on smaller roads everything seems to be moving much faster .

[@StevesHornet900]

....very nice little 350.....did they make many - or ANY other bikes ?

[@calderdale6795]

Douglas were a successful motorcycle manufacturer based in Bristol from1907 until after WW11. Their last successful bikes were the Mark series , based on flat twins used in WD generators. The 80 Plus and 90 Plus were the zenith of Douglas. Sadly the Dragonfly was over complicated and far more expensive to produce than other British 350cc single .machines.such as the BSA , AJS , Matchless , Royal Enfield , and Ariel .The Dragonfly had the “modern” post war look with alternator and coil ignition , but lacked capacity and thus power. So bad decisions , presumably from the non technical , caused their failure in 1956.

[@hoyhoytoo6772]

Steve, hope you're getting better.

[@hoyhoytoo6772]

@@StevesHornet900 You're welcome. Sounds like you could do with a friendly chat over a cuppa? I guess you're not going anywhere right now! I can pop in to your place on Wednesday of this week (12th) if that suits you? How about lunchtime, say 12 noon? Let me know if that suits, no worries if not - you may not feel well enough? Hope to see you then, I'll wear that Royal Enfield T-Shirt which you kindly gave me but won't be on that or any bike, as I've packed it in due to rheumatism in my knees and neck!

[@StevesHornet900]

@@hoyhoytoo6772 .....Hi, it'd be better when I'm up and about and a lot better mate as I had chronic kwikshits 5 times last night and puked this morning , due to my new plumbing in my guts. Hardly any sleep either as I'm still not right in that department either after 6 weeks of sleep disturbance in hospital....and I'm still very weak - a walk to the nearby papershop this morning has wiped me out. Did we go to the Winfields Bike Museum on your last visit ? I took Alan there....didn't I Al....?! {Have you mended your phones yet Al as you never phone for a chat ?} Hoyhoy - can't you comment on my videos, we shouldn't use Al's page !