Douglas 1928ca DT/ SW 5 498 cc 2 cyl ohv 3607

Douglas 1928ca “DT/ SW 5” 498 cc flat twin ohv racer frame # TF 257 engine # EL779 gearbox # YG1175

When speedway racing arrived in Britain in 1928, the new sport quickly caught the public’s imagination and before long many major UK manufacturers listed a dirt track model, Douglas being the first marque to establish dominance with its 500 cc DT 5 and 600 cc DT 6 overhead valve models. The company’s inline flat twins had benefited from much prior development on the Australian long tracks, but as shorter tracks became the norm in the U.K, the DT’s otherwise excellent handling could no longer compensate for the handicap of a longish wheelbase and the short-wheelbase Rudges took the lead. Nevertheless, away from the speedway tracks, the DT in its less specialized “SW” form proved a most competitive mount.
“For general racing work, the SW versions were also available at the same prices. These models differed only in the provision of brakes for both wheels, full mudguards, a silencer, a nearside footrest and a flywheel clutch. They were eminently suited for sand or grass, as the ever mounting list of racing successes showed. The additional equipment enabled them to be ridden to meetings without infringing the Road Traffic Acts” (From: Jeff Clew, “The best Twin”.)

Over time quite a few DT5s were made suitable for more general racing work by converting them to SW 5 specifications. That has also been the case with this machine, that for a long time was part of the famous Rex Judd Collection. Rex’s son Peter entrusted the rebuild of the SW5 to the late Len Cole, a highly respected Douglas expert. An undated typewritten letter from Len Cole (on file) lists the build details including: that the barrels have been bored out to take Rudge 250 pistons, 8.2:1 compression ratio, standard dirt track camshaft, valve timing data, “use Castrol R40 or equivalent”, carbs are “the original MX 15s”, and “there are certain parts which are not original such as handlebar levers, footrests, and fuel supply lines but they are either new or functional and can always be quickly replaced if originals come to hand without impairing the running of the bike”. The date of Len Cole’s work on the SW5 is unknown. The Douglas was on display in the Rex Judd dealership in Edgware, Greater London, for many years and was later exhibited at Whitewebbs Museum near Enfield. This purposeful Douglas racing the machine is fitted with Andre steering damper, 3 x 19 front tyre, and 4.10 x 19 rear tyre. Due to her long period of storage some recommissioning will be at hand.