Having abandoned motorcycle production after a tentative foray in 1903/1904, the Rover Cycle Company re-entered the market in 1910. By this time the motorcycle's future seemed more assured, and Rover designer John Greenwood (later of Sunbeam fame) was commissioned to draw up a new engine. A 499cc sidevalve, the new motor incorporated spring-loaded tappets and positioned its Bosch magneto, driven by a 'silent' inverted-tooth chain, high and dry behind the cylinder. The carburettor was by Brown & Barlow and the forks by Druid. At the end of 1914 a three-speed countershaft gearbox was added, and from then onwards few changes were made to the sidevalve single until its production ceased in 1924. A previous concours winner at the Bristol Classic Motor Cycle Show, the 1916 Rover offered here was restored in 1992 by the late Brian Barber of Wiltshire, who was well known for his numerous concours rebuilds completed over a period of some 50 years. The machine was purchased as a 'barn find' in the late 1970s and painstakingly restored by Brian to its present concours standard using original and replacement parts, many of the latter made by him using his extensive workshop facilities. Ridden regularly over the last few years during summer months, this beautifully restored Rover is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate and an extensive history file.
Having abandoned motorcycle production after a tentative foray in 1903/1904, the Rover Cycle Company re-entered the market in 1910. By this time the motorcycle's future seemed more assured, and Rover designer John Greenwood (later of Sunbeam fame) was commissioned to draw up a new engine. A 499cc sidevalve, the new motor incorporated spring-loaded tappets and positioned its Bosch magneto, driven by a 'silent' inverted-tooth chain, high and dry behind the cylinder. The carburettor was by Brown & Barlow and the forks by Druid. At the end of 1914 a three-speed countershaft gearbox was added, and from then onwards few changes were made to the sidevalve single until its production ceased in 1924. A previous concours winner at the Bristol Classic Motor Cycle Show, the 1916 Rover offered here was restored in 1992 by the late Brian Barber of Wiltshire, who was well known for his numerous concours rebuilds completed over a period of some 50 years. The machine was purchased as a 'barn find' in the late 1970s and painstakingly restored by Brian to its present concours standard using original and replacement parts, many of the latter made by him using his extensive workshop facilities. Ridden regularly over the last few years during summer months, this beautifully restored Rover is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate and an extensive history file.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
