Firing Up A 1924 Douglas

HADDAM NECK, CT – Mark Turkington’s 1924 Douglas SW24 motorcycle has had quite an existence. Built in England, it was most recently passed around by dealers in Belgium and Italy before he acquired it this year and brought it to his home in Bolton, CT.

“I finally made a deal – not a good deal,” he said Saturday as vintage bike enthusiasts gathered around the Douglas at the annual Brit Jam rally. “It still needs an engine rebuild – smokes a lot,” Turkington added.

It’s quite a bike, featuring a horizontally opposed two-cylinder, 350cc motor with an exposed flywheel and two-speed transmission. Douglas motorcycles were built in Bristol, England between 1907 and 1957.

To the delight of spectators, Turkington fired up the Douglas:

– Bud Wilkinson