revtothelimit - motorbike forum

I could google this, but it's more fun getting the info from here

I spotted this Douglas Dragonfly on FriendFace Marketplace.

Why does it have three carbs and what is the middle carb feeding?

https://www.facebook.com/share/17tm3McZzw/

Special init...Google says.

Dodgy69 wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 8:05 am Special init...Google says.

Indeed....but how the heck does it feed into the cylinders?

I thought it might feed premix into the two main carbs but I can't see how.

Supposed to be part of the mods to make it a 100+ mph bike. Not sure I'd want to be on it!

That front 'mudguard' appears to lack any bracing. It makes me nervous that it could tuck under and come into contact with the tyre at which point it will get dragged under.

Oh well the accident is sure to get views and likes so it's all good

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2026 9:31 pm I could google this, but it's more fun getting the info from here

I spotted this Douglas Dragonfly on FriendFace Marketplace.

Why does it have three carbs and what is the middle carb feeding?

https://www.facebook.com/share/17tm3McZzw/

Very odd. I'd be interested to know how it works.

Skub wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 11:39 am

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2026 9:31 pm I could google this, but it's more fun getting the info from here

I spotted this Douglas Dragonfly on FriendFace Marketplace.

Why does it have three carbs and what is the middle carb feeding?

https://www.facebook.com/share/17tm3McZzw/

Very odd. I'd be interested to know how it works.

It looks like the centre carb fed a plenum behind the block, which then fed both cylinders, you can see the intake pipes in this pic...
I guess putting a separate carb on each inlet improves performance, but you'd think the centre carb would then be removed?

I had a yarn with our local Brit fiends. We all assumed it was a 3 carb bike,but it's actually a twin carb conversion. The carb in the centre was the original and the one on the right cylinder is the extra. You can see where the manifold was blocked off. So middle carb still feeds the left pot and the new one feeds the right.

I wondered about that blanking plate but couldn't see from the pix if there was an equivalent on the other side.

The other pot has a carb too...

Middle one must be a dummy,then?

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 1:43 pm The other pot has a carb too...

So all is clear then. Blanking plate on that side too.

I couldn't see how the central carb was possibly connected to either the cylinders or the carbs when it feeds into that housing and the housing isn't connected to either - and the answer is - it doesn't, but it used to. So it's now a spare.

Had me head scratching last night though!

It's like the V-Max with it's fake air intakes. Even the classic boyos are at it now.

ooh, found a skub clone...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... c63caa435f

ZRX61 wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 5:42 pm ooh, found a skub clone...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... c63caa435f

He definitely has an account with Ali-express.

Skub wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 8:27 pm He definitely has an account with Ali-express.

Those rear-sets look more like they came from Temu...

That's horrid.

Panther special.

Skub wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2026 5:54 pm Panther special.
Panther special.jpg

Seen it all now. A café racer Panther!

...with disc brakes too!

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2026 9:31 pm I could google this, but it's more fun getting the info from here

I spotted this Douglas Dragonfly on FriendFace Marketplace.

Why does it have three carbs and what is the middle carb feeding?

https://www.facebook.com/share/17tm3McZzw/

The centre carb is for the auxiliary engine that runs the Aircon, hydraulic pumps and electrics.