A brand-new flat tank?

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Italian bike firm, The Black Douglas Motorcycle Company, has released details of a remarkable new bike range, the Sterling.

Made in both 125cc and 250cc variants, the Sterling is hand made, with a rigid steel cradle frame, two gallon (nine litre) aluminium flat tank and girder forks.


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This curiosity has details everywhere, from carefully routed electrics through the handlebars, to the use of Ergal alloy in the front suspension. Remarkably it’s Euro 4 compliant, with ABS on the 250cc version and combined braking on the 125cc. It can carry a pillion and weight is claimed at “just under 100kg”, so although lacking in horsepower, the lack of weight gives it a decent pace, especially compared to the prewar bikes it imitates.

There is a small catch – all this hand-made loveliness comes at a price. The 125 Sterling starts at £8950, with the 250cc at £10,550. That’s a lot for a small bike, but where else can you get a pre-war-style bike to use every day?

www.theblackdouglas.com

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