DOUGLAS

The small Bristol manufacturer that alwaysseemed to be in financial difficulty, but which produced some interesting boxer twins, albeit with variable production quality despite the BMWlike across-the-frameflat-twin design, with the crank's axis in line with the frame's centreline. Douglasturned the drive through 90° and used a chain final drive rather than a shaft unlike Velocette'sflat twins. Douglasbikes are relativelyrarely offered for sale outside of the owners' club, which is the only reliablesource of spares.

Dragonfly

348cc ohv flattwin 75mph 1954-57 395Ib 55mpg

Oddlystyledtouring350 twin, featuringEarlesforksand a faired headlamp/petrotal nk, as well as conventionarlearsuspensionA. n involving,unusualmachinewith a rev-happyengineprovidingalmost adequateperformanceand with excellentsteering,but dire brakes and limitedspecialistsupport.

Prices: low £4000 high £5000