I've struggled to identify this veteran. It looks to be around 1913. The extra headlamp is truly enormous. Can anyone out there identify the marque?
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| Identify that veteran quiz time. |
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...and TWO bulb horns and, amazing to me, what appears to be a rear-view mirror. Very early for one of those.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is well accessorised! I can only see one horn, I think the item on the left side of the bars is a speedo. It is awkwardly mounted for a speedo but there appears to be a cable going down to the front wheel.
DeleteDoes the sidecar appear to have a drum brake? This looks like a light machine all together, so a brake on the sidecar would have been quite an advanced addition.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know when brakes started to appear on sidecars but I am fairly sure it was well after the veteran period. Drum brakes on bikes of this period were nearly unheard of, there is an outside chance that it could be a contracting band brake but most likely I would guess it is just the shape they decided to make the hub and it looks like a brake in the picture.
Deleteyes, mirror on right hand bar, speedo on left, they were always awkwardly mounted like that being an after market item. You can make out the drive further down, I have the same set up on my Sunbeam. First thought was Triumph once again, but if I blow it up till nearly pixied I am plumping for Rover.
ReplyDeleteMy immediate thought was Triumph but on closer look the mag is obviously behind the engine and they're not Triumph pattern forks. The exhaust shape is relatively distinctive as is the sharp dip to the frame in front of the saddle. I would go for Rover too, the tank designs and logos look similar from a distance.
DeleteYes, this is a 1913 or 1914 Rover fitted with Rovers own sidecar.
ReplyDeleteI think it is most probably a 1913 as it has a Armstrong gear lever, most 1914 models had Sturmey Archer hub gears.
Hi there. Thanks for the positive id. All the best, Richard
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