Help needed - I think it's unusual!

[wardy1]

Hi all,
I was wondering if any of you clever people could identify this bike and the date for me.
The photo belongs to an acquaintance of mine who has been searching and come up with zilch.
I'm hoping one of you will know. Many thanks!

Pat x

[RichP]

Hello. That's a very nice picture. A long way out of period for me but I think the clue is on the fuel tank. Could it be an NSU Tri-car ?

http://www.3wheelers.com/nsu.html

The very vertical headstock etc. seems to fit.

The picture would date from before NSU stood for "Norton Spares Used" !

[wardy1]

 :-*RichP, you are golden! ((hug))
The bike in the link looks exactly like the bike in the photo. Thank you for your help it's very much appreciated and will make a lovely lady very happy.

What would we do without lovely people like you to help us.

Thanks again
Patx
P.S. It's ok, don't worry, I'm not a hairy male biker...I'm female. So the hugs and kisses are hopefully accepted. lol

[RichP]

Hello Pat,

You're very welcome. I think that hugs and kisses are ok in a forum sort of way but I'm certain that my two little girls would get very upset if they thought I was being kissed by someone other than their Mum !

Do you know anything else about the photo ? Is it your friend's relative ? I was trying to decide for myself whether I thought it was in the south west or the north of England.

The rider is every bit the Edwardian motoring gentleman, isn't he ?

By the way, did you follow the link to the period advert ?

http://www.3wheelers.com/ad24.html

[cardan]

Hello Pat and Rich,

I agree - a most unusual machine, and almost certainly an NSU.

Note that it's a slightly different model than the one shown on 3wheelers.com. While that one has the 2-speed gear and clutch in the back hub (perhaps a ROC hub?), the one here has the NSU 2-speed gear and clutch on the engine pulley. The gear is operated by the vertical rod passing through the "N" on the tank to the little tram handle on the tank top. Wind it one way for low gear, then the other for neutral and then top.

Regardless of the exact specs of the machine, it's a most atmospheric photo! Thanks for posting it.

Leon