Racing a Motorcycle at the Border Guards Risking being Shot!
Channel: Bionic Bikers
Date: 2023-12-07

He raced his motorcycle straight at the border guards, risking being shot, which actually did happen on subsequent parts of the same trip.

He tells the story in his own words.


The transformative journey that would redefine Robert's life had an unlikely origin—a casual comment made at a dinner party, perhaps fueled by the desire to impress a young lady inquiring about his post-graduate plans in Vienna. When asked if he intended to sail home, Robert Edison Fulton Jr. nonchalantly declared, "Oh no, I'm going around the world on a motorcycle!" The room fell silent, including the seven individuals around him, and even Fulton himself couldn't fathom the audacity of his own proclamation. In that instant, he realized he had committed to something inexplicably peculiar.

Little did Fulton know that his casual revelation had caught the attention of Kenton Redgrave, the proprietor of Douglas Motorcycles. Intrigued by the audacious idea, Redgrave enthusiastically offered Fulton a complimentary machine, along with any necessary modifications for the impending journey. Bound by his initial statement and fueled by the prospect of a free motorcycle, Fulton, now committed, delved into preparations. Armed with maps, he meticulously planned the adventure that lay ahead.

The Douglas underwent significant modifications to enhance its capabilities for the global expedition. Additional storage, a second fuel tank, a windshield, and car tires of a common size for easy repairs and replacements were incorporated. With these alterations, the Douglas could cover an impressive 350 miles between fill-ups, achieving an economical 50 miles per gallon. Ready for the adventure that beckoned, Fulton, with the spirit of exploration guiding him, embarked into the uncharted territories.

In the initial days of the journey, Fulton shed some of his heavier gear, but certain essentials remained indispensable. Maps and charts became his navigational companions, while a specially curated toolkit ensured the bike's continuous functionality (remarkably, Fulton encountered only six rear flats throughout his entire journey, leaving the front tire untouched by anyone except the factory techs). Thousands of feet of 35-mm nitrate film were carefully stowed in a dark compartment, with the movie camera securely housed up front. Lastly, a revolver, discreetly wrapped in oily rags and concealed between the skidplate and the engine, served as a hidden companion—more often used as a makeshift hammer in the latter stages of the trip. Astonishingly, no border guards ever uncovered this concealed stowaway.

Upon his return, he detailed his adventures in a book, One Man Caravan, telling of almost being shot at in the Khyber Pass by Pathan (Pashtun) tribesmen, avoiding Iraqi bandits, spending a night in a Turkish jail, and being a guest of Indian rajahs. He went on a lecture tour of the United States, showing his film footage and telling of his journeys. In 1983, he produced, edited, and released, with his filmmaking sons, a 90-minute film compiled from his home movies, The One Man Caravan of Robert E. Fulton Jr. An Autofilmography.

The DOUGLAS T6 MOTORCYCLE
For the first time, a dry sump lubrication system is employed without recourse to any external pipes. Very long valve guides are fitted to the cylinder barrels, and the cylinder heads are detachable above the valve seatings. Very long tappet guides are also used, and all the valve gear is completely enclosed behind finned tappet covers. 
The induction system is cast-in with the timing cover to ensure the necessary warmth after a cold start. A B.T.H. “pancake” dynamo, mounted immediately above the induction system, operates the lighting circuit. 
The dynamo is driven by gearing from the crankshaft and is specially made for the Douglas Range.
The 600 cc model has bore and stroke dimensions of 68×82 mm. 
The T6 was the touring version of the S6 and differed only in minor aspects, such as the footboards.   
(source: Jeff Clew, “The Best Twin")

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