Rover 1912 3 ½ HP 499 cc 1 cyl sv 3504

Rover 1912 499 cc side valve with Armstrong 3-speed hub gear frame # S32715 engine # 1923

The Rover safety bicycle creates a breakthrough in bicycle design at the end of the 19th century. In November 1903 the company presents its first motorcycle, which is much ahead of its time: a well-designed side valve engine with mechanically operated valves, spray carburettor, strong frame with double front down tubes and excellent finish. It creates a lot of interest and a thousand or so are sold in 1904. However, in 1905 a serious slump in motorcycle sales starts: public confidence in the motorcycle wanes considerably due to the marketing of many inferior and badly engineered models. Rover doesn’t want to risk its good name and stops motorcycle production entirely, to concentrate on the bicycle business. In 1910 the motorcycle’s future seems rosy again and designer John Greenwood (later of Sunbeam fame) is commissioned to draw up a new engine. The 85×88 engine has spring loaded tappets. The Bosch magneto is placed high and dry behind the cylinder barrel and it’s driven by a silent “inverted tooth” chain. Carburettor is Brown & Barlow and Druid spring forks are fitted. The new model appears at the Olympia Show at the end of 1910. Some 500 machines of the 1910/1911 type are sold. Standard fitment is a Free Engine clutch in the rear hub, made under licence from Triumph. For the 1912 season Rover continues the successful 3 ½ HP design, but this year the machine is available also in fixed-engine specification or with 3-speed Armstrong hub gear.
The older-restoration machine we present has the practical 3-speed hub and clutch and is in good overall condition. Notice the attention to detail; control cables are led through the handlebars and the levers are soldered to the handlebars and not, as usual, fitted with clips. This quality veteran comes with Pioneer Certificate, old V5 and old-style logbook, showing the machine was used up to 1926 and then laid up till the 1960s. She is fitted with Powell & Hanmer acetylene head lamp and stylish Cowey push horn.