Highlights
- Fully restored to a high standard a few years ago
- Frame of a type made between 1962 and 1968, so could be eligible for pre-1965 trials
- Offered for sale from a large private motorcycle collection
The Appeal
Some people will never understand it, but there really is nothing more fun that climbing aboard an old motorcycle and trying to get to the top of a very steep hill, often in the rain, making yourself very wet and muddy in the process. From man’s innate desire to challenge himself in spite of reason was the sport of trialling born, and with the growth of trialling came the growth of Dot.
Dot – Devoid of Trouble – was founded in 1903 by Harry Reed but, apart from some early prominence in races at Brooklands and the Isle of Man TT, it existed more or less under the radar until it was acquired by Burnard Scott Wade in 1932. The company survived the 1930s in the somewhat undistinguished business of making three-wheeled delivery tricycles, but its success in this field allowed it to return to motorcycle manufacture in 1949 with a small 200cc model.
With its eye on competition success once more, it made a lightweight TT racer and managed to win the Ultra Lightweight 125cc TT in 1951, but its future lay in scrambles and trials. Throughout the rest of the 1950s and 1960s, Dot would be famous as a specialist off-road motorcycle builder, achieving victories in both major national events and local ones.
This handsome Villiers-engined 250cc model is typical of the sort of Dots which were storming the trials courses of Britain in the 1960s, and it’s in such good condition following a high-quality restoration that it seems silly just to look at it – it surely wants to be trialled all over again. It looks to be extremely original and correct and, whether you intend to trial it seriously or just keep it as an object of veneration in a collection, it’s sure to give satisfaction either way.
The History and Paperwork
- No history is known, except that it has been the subject of a full restoration at some point in the recent past
- It was bought by the vendor for his large and varied motorcycle collection in October 2021, but is for sale again now that he has decided to downsize
- It does not come with any paperwork
The Condition
- Fully restored and virtually immaculate
- Looks very original and correct
- As at home in a concours as it may be at a trial
Following its restoration, there’s not much we can say except that this bike looks superb from every angle. The paint on the tank and frame is simply superb, the decals on the tank still look fairly new, and the frame itself is obviously very strong. However, we are pleased to say that the restoration has been completed in the best of taste, i.e. not overdone, and the restorer has allowed an attractive patina to remain on the mudguards and other alloy components, so it still has the appearance of a bike which has seen some use.
The seat was obviously recovered and still presents extremely well – it obviously hasn’t been sat on much since the work was completed. The wheels are in very good condition and the tyres are so clean that we suspect they might still be nearly-new.
The Mechanics
- Fitted with the Villiers 32A 250cc engine
- Presumed to be in very good running order having been recently restored
- Brakes appear to work well
We did not get an opportunity to see this bike run, unfortunately, but from what we can see, we’re sure it must be very good. Since its restoration was obviously fairly recent, we expect the mechanical parts will have been stripped and rebuilt as necessary, and we should therefore imagine the bike to be in very good running order.
At any rate, all the parts are in very good external condition, and we do not envisage it needing anything more than a basic service or very light recommissioning to get it going again. Even that should barely be necessary; assuming it received some use prior to its sale in October 2021, it has only been on static display for a year, so we’d hazard a guess that, if it doesn’t fire up straight away, it probably only needs some fresh fuel. Even so, we can make no guarantees so, if you do have any doubts, we would advise you to inspect the bike to your satisfaction.
We can say that the brakes seemed to work well as we were wheeling it around although, that, of course, is no guarantee for them at speed.
The Summary
One of the greatest names in 1950s and ’60s trialling, Dots are now very desirable among enthusiasts for the sport, and what could be better than to get your hands on a beautifully presented, recently restored one, that’s virtually all ready to attack some hills once again?
Superficially, it’s all in lovely order, and everything would suggest that it’s in a very good mechanical state, too. If it does need any minor tinkering, you’ve got all winter ahead of you, but we are heading into trials season and you wouldn’t want to miss that! Better get bidding now!
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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