1957 Douglas Dragonfly
Country: Great Britain
Engine: Horizontally opposed twin-cylinder, 4-stroke
Ignition: Battery and coil
Power Rating: 23hp @ 6,000rpm
Bore x Stroke: 60.8mm x 60mm
Displacement: 348cc
Valves: Overhead, pushrod activated
Fuel System: Single Amal Monobloc carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed
Suspension: Front Earles type forks, rear twin shock
Brakes: Front and rear drum
Weight: 365lb
Top Speed: 70mph
Douglas’ bold new styling on a very old design was their last fling before the collapse of this famous British company. They commissioned the Reynolds Tube Company to design a new chassis to house the existing power unit, but the result was too radical, and sales were poor. The first Douglas, built in 1907, was a horizontally opposed 350, as was the last in 1956, 50 years later. Westinghouse, an American company, owned Douglas for the final four years and they are the ones who finally called a halt to motorcycle production. Total production of the Dragonfly was fewer than 1,500 machines.