By Tom White
The DOT company was founded by Harry Reed in Manchester, England, and
built the company’s first motorcycle in 1906. The name “DOT” was said to
stand for “Devoid of Trouble” and is included in later models’ fuel
tank logos. DOT made everything from street bikes to three-wheel utility
vehicles, but when the motocross boom started in the 1960s, DOT pushed
hard to be a player in what was then known in Britain as “Scrambles.”
Plus, DOT specialized in two-stroke engines. By the late 1950s and early
1960s, DOT was one of five British companies building competitive
two-stroke scramblers. The other companies were Villiers, James, Greeves
and Cotton. Until the early ’60s, all of these bikes used Villiers
engines.
The DOT Demon 250 Scrambler never won a major World Championship or even
a British Championship, though it was a runner-up several times. The
DOTs were well designed and well built. The leading-link forks had very
long shock dampers and were unique. The Demon’s frame had a square front
downtube and an aluminum gas tank, fenders and other components.
Compared to competitors like Greeves and Cotton, the DOT was much
lighter, and with the polished aluminum tank and red frame, a lot
prettier. Power output was a modest 20 horsepower (out of a very loud,
open pipe that ran under the engine).
Only a few DOTs were ever imported to America via Landefeld Motors in
Los Angeles, California. The Early Years of Motocross Museum searched
for years to find one, and our featured bike was finally purchased from a
collector in Australia. Decades later, the DOT is still a strikingly
beautiful machine that almost seems ageless.
After motorcycle production stopped in late 1968, DOT-Armstrong continued producing shocks for motorcycles and automobiles.
1964 DOT 250 DEMON SCRAMBLER FACTS
WHAT THEY COST
In 1964, the suggested retail price for a DOT 250 Demon Scrambler was $795.00. The Early Years of Motocross Museum paid $15,000 for MXA’s featured DOT. The high price comes with large demand and product scarcity.
MODELS
DOT made a variety of machines over their 52-year history, including the Bradshaw street bike, the White Strength Scrambler, three-wheel utility vehicles and several trials bikes. The 250 Demon Scrambler was the only model imported to America.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
It’s not a DOT without the beautifully sculptured aluminum tank, short chrome “Blooey” pipe, Girling rear shocks and the “long-dampered” leading-link forks. The good news is that those parts are still available.
PARTS SUPPLY
Contact the DOT Owner’s Club at www.dot-motorcycle-club.co.uk.
For more info go to www.earlyyearsofmx.com
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