Chris. Collins Enquired:-
It has a leather chain guard. Is this from the bike manufacture or something some bike owner self-installed? does anyone have any history on these things?
Chris This accessory was indeed manufactured and part of the roadsters of the day. They were made of black leatherette and the well known maker Vindec included them in solid and transparent celluloid. In addition the solid wou ld have to small rectangular clear windows for inspection purposes.
I had a very early secondhand Sunbeam as my first bike when I started work in 1945 which had a rather scruffy leather chain cover due tear and wear. This material really proved impractical which probably lead to its demise with replacement of the the already popular pressed steel.
Happy days!!
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK