Black Douglas Sterling Imperial 400 - Specifications & Review

Company History

The Black Douglas Motorcycle Co. crafts the Sterling, a hand-built motorcycle that channels pre-war style into a modern, road-legal package. Think bicycle-like frames with elegant tanks, sprung saddles, and bar-end details—then add reliable modern engines, proper brakes, and electrics that cope with daily use. Each bike is assembled with coachbuilt sensibility: leatherwork, paint, and metal finishes chosen to age gracefully, turning patina into a feature rather than a flaw. Italian suppliers contribute to a boutique supply chain that prioritizes tactile quality over volume. The Sterling appeals to riders who want to slow riding down—to savor pace, surfaces, and the ritual of ownership—without enduring the compromises of true antiques. Historically, Black Douglas continues a European tradition of small workshops translating nostalgia into usable machines, bridging museum beauty and modern reliability. It also broadens the definition of motorcycling pleasure: not lap times or horsepower, but presence, conversation, and the satisfying click of a well-made control under the hand.