Another mystery bike to ID

[mini-me]

OK, whats this one?
Photo date mid-1920s.
My first thought was BSA, but its not, its been suggested Rover,I'm not so sure

Druid forks don't suit BSA/Rover /Triumph
Mag is behind engine, chain cum belt drive, I cannot make out a front brake drum or rim

Some letters can be discerned on the crank case, now photo has been cleaned up it could be Rover at a pinch.
I don't place much reliance on the shape of the tank badge as its similar to many others of the era.

Its got electric light, which must be aftermarket stuff.

The shape of the barrel finning is really bugging me as I think I recognise it but can't remember.

Looks as if its a 500cc or up

[R]

That tank badge strongly suggests Rover.



Rover most definitely used druid forks, and that style of front guard.
No brakes and chain drive would rather limit the possible years though.

[mini-me]

Thanks R, yes, I have also come to think Rover would seem to tick most boxes, Haveing enlarged it I think the gearbox with belt drive has been added, hence no chain case and the gap between engine sprocket and crankcase.
pic dtaes from around 1923/4 ish

cheers

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
Attached is a link to a youtube film on the building of Rover motorcycles c1910 ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m8PmMQK76s
It may shed some light on the photo (hopefully)

John

[cardan]

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

[R]

Seems the lady in question was famous - and  young when the pic was taken.

https://jacquettahawkes.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/haw18_2_8_18.jpg

[cardan]

Thanks for that R - I'd never heard of Jacquetta Hawkes.

The blog is a great read, but being a blog you have to start at the bottom and read upwards. https://jacquettahawkes.wordpress.com/

Leon

[mini-me]

Good bit of reverse detective work there R, question was indeed re that lass.