Early-Era Rover Imperial Manufacturing Video

First, in 1878 John Starley began to build bicycles in Britain under the name Rover Company. Then in 1896, Starley started the Rover Imperial brand.

And just like a lot of bicycle manufacturers the Rover Company began building motorcycles. Next in 1902 the company’s first motorcycles were built under the Rover Imperial brand. Then from 1903 to 1924 the company built around 10,000 motorcycles.

Unfortunately in 1901 Starley died and Harry Lawson took over the business. Next the motorcycles built in 1902 had a 3.5 hp engine as well as a lot of innovative parts. In 1910, John Greenwood was hired to build a 500cc motorcycle that was shown for the first time at the Olympia show.

Then in 1913, there was the launch of a TT (Tourist Trophy) for racing motorcycle. During WWI the company began to build and sell engines to the Russian Army. After the War Rover began making cars. Unfortunately do to the lack of sales the Rover Imperial Company went under in 1924.

Below is a cool video on how Rover Imperial motorcycles were made – everything from engines to the completions of the motorcycles.

Finally, please share on your site or social media page and let us know what you think of this article (you can tag our Facebook page).