classic motorcycle forum

Very nice. Probably a 1927 Special, or maybe even the 80-mph Sports. The cooking model, called the Standard, had the muffler across the frame in front of the engine right up until 1928.

Although it looks like no brakes are fitted, there are rim brakes front and rear with the brake rim fixed to the wheel rim, with flat shoes pressing on them. They were even coupled, so applying the foot brake applied front and rear brakes simultaneously. Famously Rudge introduced their 8" drum brakes for the 1928 season, which corresponded with their rise to the top of the racing tree. In 1930 Rudge were so dominant in racing that they filled 5 of the 6 podium places in the Junior and Senior Isle of Man TT races.

The original owner chose to decline the electric option, going instead for the ML magneto and carbide lights.

Cheers

Leon

Oh I'm a sucker, and I'll read anything. The Villiers history is an interesting one.

The fourth link should be http://www.hulsmannmotor.nl/Villiers_Motornummers.html (all post war I think) but the third (the Ron Wiley reference) I can't navigate to, but would like to.

Cheers

Leon

Hi Paul,

I'll bet it's been done and I bet 33d6 knows all about it! No doubt he'll tell us presently. I don't know too much about Villiers engines, but it's a coincidence that this week I've been working on one of the earliest models - prefix O - for a friend. Pre-flywheel-magneto of course, but a simple and nicely made motor. 269cc and around 1913-15 I think. I've ridden a hundred km or so on a similar O-series-powered bike, and they run very well.

Have fun with your research!

Leon

Almost certainly. It would clamp to a frame tube (seat post, front down tube or lower tank rail), with belt drive from a convenient spot.

Leon

Wouldn't it be fun to know the story of the photo? I'd be pretty sure that the man sitting on the bike is not the owner, and probably not even a motorcyclist. His left foot is on the brake pedal (?) rather than the footrest!

Leon

It's complete, but boy it's rusty. I just couldn't imagine buying something like this without first seeing it up close.

Is the bidding for the bike, or is there something about the registration number? Why would there be 11 different bidders in the first 24 hours on something like this?

Cheers

Leon

Yes it is Rover.

The fork was not exactly Druid, but the Rover version, probably build under license, which had the lower links running inside the fork tubes. You can see this feature in the photo.

You're probably right about the gearbox being added, because although Rover had a chain-cum-belt model around 1914-15 this had a rather lather gear change lever on the left of the bike, and this is missing from the photo.

Cheers

Leon