Description
NSU ca 1905 3HP 331 cc IOE single frame # 104195 engine # 6109
The company started as a knitting machine manufacturer ( Neckarsulmer Strickmaschinen Union) and went into the bicycle trade in 1886.
It was a logic step to move into motorcycle production and in 1901 the first motorised NSU bicycle with Zédel clip on engine was produced.
Soon the development and production of the company’s own engines were taken up and within a few years NSU was making its own power units and was one of the first manufacturers to fit two-speed transmission.
Designed by its late founder’s son, Karl Schmidt, the first all-NSU model of 1903 was powered by a 329cc engine rated at 2½hp and would turn out to be a huge success by the standards of the day, in excess of 2,000 being sold up to 1905.
A host of different models was introduced up to the outbreak of war, including a range of v-twins in various sizes.
The make established a strong presence in overseas markets, being exported widely throughout Europe and other continents.
Prior to WWI, NSU ranked second only to Indian among imported makes in the UK.
This 3 HP model with bore x stroke of 75 x 75 mm is fitted with NSU’s own 2-speed gear and free engine device and has the typical NSU overhead valve operation system in which the inlet valve is forced open by a rod actuated by the exhaust valve cam.
The machine is a restoration project but all major parts are present.