DOT SDH Scrambler 250 cc from 1959. A dating certificate issued by DOT Motorcycles in 2010 confirms the DOT to have been manufactured on August 7, 1959. It was despatched to a dealer in Huddersfield near Manchester.
Originally, it was equipped with a Villiers 9E 4-speed motor. A later owner replaced the motor with a 4-speed with 246 cc, as also offered by DOT in 1959 as an option.
The DOT is in my possession since 2011, however was never used or restored. The motor is free, the 4 gears work, it has spark, however it was not tried to start the motor. The last owner ordered from DOT Motorcycles a new exhaust pipe, and I ordered new NJB front shocks. Some Villiers special tools come with the bike, as well as the V5C, sales brochure, Villiers manuals and a publication on the history of DOT.
DOT Motorcycles (nicknamed Devoid of Trouble) was established in 1903 and specialized in street bikes powered by large 1- and 2-cyclinder engines. Many successes in racing were achieved, including in the Tourist Trophy. In the early 1950ies, DOT began to manufacture scramblers and trial bikes for the increasingly popular off-road sport. These motorcycles were equipped with Villiers engines and achieved often remarkable successes racing against 350 cc und 500 cc fourstrokes. In the mid 60ies, production numbers decreased as other manufacturers from Europe and Japan began to enter the market, and when Villiers stopped engine production. However, DOT Motorcycles was never liquidated and technical information and parts are still available from the DOT Motorcycles Club. The DOT offered here represents an interesting piece of off-road motorcycle history.
