Help required

[adbru]

Hi All,

First post so I hope someone can help identify this bike.
The picture was taken circa 1920's, the rider is my grandfather and it was (apparently) the first bike in our town with electric lights.
Registration number I think relates to Edinburgh which was common for the west coast of scotland at the time I'm told.
Many thanks in advance.

[R]

Looks rather like its going to be a N.U.T - Newcastle upon Tyne,
that cast alloy muffler under the engine is very distinctive.
Painted nut brown in its original finish.

Likely to be a 1000cc JAP vtwin, might take some figuring out precisely what year it is,
but circa 1920 or so.

Quite an expensive motor for its time, quite popular too.
Electric lighting would still have been quite a novelty at that time.

Could only find a small pic, will look for a bigger example.
Cheers.

[adbru]

Hi 'R'

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate your time and knowledge.

It does look like the NUT in the image.
Further reading lead me to some interesting info on the NUT company, however it seems only 400 bikes were ever made so the chances of me getting/affording one would be quite slim lol.

I haven't yet found any listed in a museum in the UK, it would be good to try and replicate the image if possible so I'd like to see one in the flesh.
If anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful 

More reading required.....

Thanks again and if anyone can add more info feel free.

Adrian

[iansoady]

The National Motorcycle Museum near Brum has at least one NUT.

[R]

Further reading lead me to some interesting info on the NUT company, however it seems only 400 bikes were ever made so the chances of me getting/affording one would be quite slim lol.

400 is actually quite a lot for a small manufacturer.
Many of the less common makes would have far less numbers than that.
So don't rule out the possibility of finding a 'basketcase' lurking in someones garden shed or attic.
Far more affordable, although you may have to advertise to find one.
And whether having a rusty heap of bits fits the bill is up to you to decide.

Many a bike has risen from the ashes like this though.
That green NUT that is on the road - and in all the magazines - has such a story to it...

[Rex]

There's a chance, but it's got to be slim.
Even thirty years ago when the classic mags started people were advertising for HRDs, big Cov Eagles, MacEvoys, Rocs and other such early exotica.
An estate sale is likely the only chance, but Bonhams etc make sure everyone knows what's on offer when some old hoarder's hoard is consigned to auction.