Identify an old bike please!

[Rubin215]

This photo has popped up on a local history page on facebook and I wondered if any of the classic buffs on here could identify the bike?

The registration, SS27, is local to me in East Lothian and you still see several SS plates in the region.

[Pothole]

Srob will be along shortly, no doubt...

[Rubin215]

Another photo of the same bike; it looks like it might have been a photographer's prop!

This one is much more clear and I think the tank might say NSU.

[Wacky Racer]

I'd date the photo around 1910, going off the handlebar shape and belt drive.

[underwhelmist]

As Pothole already said, SRob is your man. I just want a wicker sidecar now. Imagine being able to weave your own sidecar.

Edit: Here are my wild stabs in the dark, from the wiki page on 1920s bikes. The tanks and bars are similar, I can't really make out the engine configuration in your photo, or the inscription on the tank.

AJS Model D:



Triumph Model H:



NSU is a good shout too...



Edit again: Looking at the bottom end of the engine and the bar/linkage running down from the tank to the crankcase area I reckon you were right with NSU.

Edited by underwhelmist on Saturday 21st November 00:22

Edited by underwhelmist on Saturday 21st November 00:27

[Wacky Racer]

I'd go for BSA but not sure.....

[gareth_r]

The forks on all three are different from the forks on the bike in the photograph.

EDIT:
Solved it! According to the government vehicle enquiry website, SS 273 is an Audi.

Edited by gareth_r on Saturday 21st November 01:59

[srob]

Rubin215 said:

Another photo of the same bike; it looks like it might have been a photographer's prop!

This one is much more clear and I think the tank might say NSU.

I think you’re probably right on both counts. I think it’s an NSU 3HP from about 1905’ish.

Many sidecars were used as props for postcards. That carried on well into the 1920s and you have to be a bit careful of the registration numbers as they'd often have a chalk board front number plate and write the family’s initials and the date for the number plate. Obviously not in this case though

[kev b]

The thin front mudguard braces are identical to the NSU too.

[Pothole]

gareth_r said:

The forks on all three are different from the forks on the bike in the photograph.

EDIT:
Solved it! According to the government vehicle enquiry website, SS 273 is an Audi.

Edited by gareth_r on Saturday 21st November 01:59

NSU, then!

[Rubin215]

Thank you for your help guys, 99% that it is an early NSU.

Prioe to this I had never known that NSU had a factory in London, it's amazing what is on the t'internt when you start hunting!