Brief History of the Marque: Rudge-Whitworth
Rudge Whitworth was formed in 1895 with the amalgamation of Rudge of
Coventry and Whitworth of Birmingham, both bicycle companes. They began
motorcycle manufacture in 1911 and went into liquidation in 1933. They
continued trading under the auspices of The Gramophone Company (which later
became HMV and then EMI) after moving to Middlesex, and ceased trading
at the onset of WWII with the last machines being produced by Norman.
Rudge built Python engines which they supplied to numerous other manufacturers
including Durandal, Eysink,
Grindlay-Peerless
and Imperia.
Wed May 13 2009
max.cowie<at>bordernet.com.au
750 singles
rudge 750
The editor stated that suzuki were the first to produce a 750 single
as a production run. This is incorrect. Rudge did a 750 starting in 1914.
Australia
Elsewhere on the net there are images of a 1913 Rudge Multi 750cc
Reg# SP-2788
..............
It is a very early 1914 but if you look, it is not a multi. Yes it is
a 750.
Attached is a photo of my daughters 500 multi. You will notice the
difference in the drive.
Mon May 04 2009
murray823<at>btinternet.com
Motorcycle racing
Rudge "Two port"
I have photos taken at a race meeting at Boreham airfield in 1947[?].
I have been told two bikes are Rudge 2 port [Ulsters?]. Racing numbers
68 and 69. Anyone know when the races were held?
Essex
...............
Thanks for the info on EMU. I am tryuing to date the photos I
took. One was of Jack Surtees [father of John] with his Vincent sidecar
outfit.
I love Australia [Queensland in particular where I have many good friends
and rellies]. Was last in NSW and Qld in January this year!
Some not so young rellies in Augusta WA still ride their bikes [Triumphs]
around the place. I lived and worked in Brisbane in the late 50s
[wish I still was with the state this country is in right now!] and at
one time was secretary of the now defunct Queensland Motor Sporting Club.
I took my G3LS Matchless out with me and did a few miles around the back
roads of south Qld on it before coming home. Should have exported
a 500 twin with me but was not aware of the situation before I left the
Old Dart.
Regards,
Murray Brazier
Thu May 07 2009
nyplumkrazzy<at>yahoo.com
info
Rudge Rigid
I bought this 1939(?) @ garage sale & now my father's illness is
forcing the sale, but I don't know enough about this motorcycle to place
advertising. Can anyone help me with info?
New Mexico USA
subject: values of motorcycles
Email: roybach
sasktel.net
message: Hi I own a 29 Rudge ulster Orig restored Not concours but
very original , I would put it as a 3 on a scale of 1-10 I just want an
aproxmate value Thanks
Fri Mar 07 2008
johnjlcross.eclipse.co.uk
Rudge Serial Numbers
Rudge W.K. 6685
I have recently come across an old notebook of my grandfathers with
notes made of journeys on (and maintenance of) a Rudge motorcycle between
June 1928 and October 1930. It seems he aquired the bike on the 28th
of June 1928. I am not sure whether new or secondhand. W.K.
6685 appears to be a serial number - maybe the frame no.? Would anybody
be able to tell me what model this would have been? Many thanks.
John
Bristol
WK6685 is most likely the registration number.
Ed.
Fri Feb 29 2008
patrickcunninghampatrick.wanadoo.co.uk
Valve lifter; headlight
Rudge Whitworth Multi 1912 - 1915
Having written (Aviation fiction) of the engine of an early Rudge
being 'switched on', also of lights being switched, I was advised that
the engine would be turned off by a valve lifter, and that lights would
not be electric (switched on and off) but acetylene. Would be grateful
for sketchy operation details. Pat Cunningham
UK Derby
Starting is probably by pushing the bike with
the valve lifter engaged, then disengage when momentum gained. One lights
the acetylene. Anyone care to elucidate? Ed.
Mon Feb 25 2008
gustrshaw.ca
Engines & Details
Rudge, Rudge Whitworth, & Rudge Python Ulster, TT
I am having limited luck getting information & details about these
engines, Anyone direct me to drawings, photo's, manuals, etc.?
Any help would help!
Thanks! Rafe03
Victoria, BC, Canada
PS- Engines & engine bits would also be of interest, no matter what
condition. Thanks!
Victoria BC Canada
Sat Feb 09 2008
rjhunt9216rogers.com
steering head bearings
Rudge 1939 Ulster
Where might I obtain cups and cones or a taper replacement
hamilton, canada
Mon Jan 07 2008
sangomashaw.ca
decals for Rudge Multi
1914 Multi
Can anyone help with decals for a Rudge Multi
Canada
Tue Oct 02 2007
rudge_racingtele2.ch
1934 Liegh Rudge
1934 special racer
Hi again,
my latest newcomer to the stable , hope to have it racing again next
year .
built by Derek Liegh , London, a very well known tuner and sprinter
Alex
Fri Aug 31 2007
max.cowiebordernet.com.au
Pedallling Gear
1912 Rudge Multi
My daughter has a 1912 Rudge Multi but it is missing the pedal gear.
Would anyone out there have this available?
Australia
Thu Aug 09 2007
edmandtiscali.co.uk
Rudge Bradshaw Special
RBS 350 oil cooled
Hi, I am in the process of getting an Rudge Bradshaw Special or RBS
ready to compete in a historic hillclimb. The bike is alledgely a 250cc
rudge frame with a 350cc oil cooled bradshaw engine. We have managed to
get the thing running but we have no technical data to go on, do you know
of anywhere we can go to get any technical data on this engine. It is fitted
with a brass AMAL carb and a BTH mag and a three speed gearbox. Everything
seems to work in a fashion but it runs very roughly, I really could do
with some techno data to help me getting it running nicely again.
Somerset , England
See also Bradshaw
Tue Jun 12 2007
spider.roshangmail.com
Need Restoration.
Rudge Multi 1914
I have a Rudge Multi 1914 parked in my garage. It has alot of parts
missing. I want to know where I can get help restoring this.
India
Wed May 02 2007
jeorg.flaschkamed.uni-jena.de
[bounced]
rudge whitworth 500cc 1924
Hallo, I am an owner of an 500cc rudge witworth. I have Problems with
crank shaft ball bearings. There is a W4442 and Made in England on it but
also in GB I can not find some. Is there a other size or name for it ?
Please help, Jo
jena, Germany
These are main bearings, by the sounds of things.
What are the dimensions? Ed.
Sat May 19 2007
rudge_racingtele2.ch
1924 Rudge main bearings
1924 500 cc
Hi Joe
the bearings are part nr 52752
dimentions are 22mm x 50 mm x 17 mm
the typ is RMC22
do you have a parts book?
there are rudges in
rudge.de
hope this helps,regards Alex
switzerland
April 1st 2007
....and my own Rudge UGP 1929 at the Klausen hillclimb,(21,5 km,6000
ft)
....it was a fantastic thursday to sunday sunshine all the time, the
toughest and longest hillclinbs in europe and an expierence never to be
forgoten.congratulations to your site ! , very interesting thanks , Alex
Tue Mar 20 2007
takka22000
yahoo.com.au
rudge eng no's
29' ulster
can anyone give me eng no's for 29' ulster please?
australia
............
1929 Rudge 500 engines had nummbers 54000 to 57000 no difference being
made between Ulster or special
hope this helps , Alex
Mon Feb 05 2007
craiggilbertsonbigpond
Rudge Motor Cycle
1934 TT Rudge
I have the above bike which has been completly restored and now sits
in a museum. What would this be worth, if I ever decided to sell it. The
were 3 of these bikes brought to Australia to compete, in I think the 1936
Phillip Island road race. One was smashed beyond repair, one was returned
to England and I have the other one, which my father rode and won the race.
Regards Craig Gilbertson
Sydney
Sun Jan 07 2007
sangomashaw.ca
1914 Rudge Multi
Hi
I am looking for a barrel for the above. I have unfortunately discovered
that mined is cracked. Hope you can help.
Craig Campbell
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sat Dec 30 2006
alanvthomas19btinternet
rudge ulster
The guy in america with the rudge ulster;contact me.
regards Alan.
chester
Sat Sep 02 2006
jeff.torellosbcglobal.net
my Rudge
1939 Rudge Ulster
I have aquired a 1939 Ulster in very good condition, its been in a
basement since 1942. Im not really sure what its worth, if anyone can help
it would be appreciated.
Connecticut, U.S.
Fri May 19 2006
rw_blevinsmsn
1912 Rudge with side car prices
I Have a 1912 rudge with sidecar that is in good shape. How much could
this bike bring?
Thank you rb
US
Wed May 03 2006
walker.williamgmail
Unknown Rudge Motor Cycle
Rudge Dirt Track Special
My father had a motor cycle he refered to as Rudeg Dirt Track Special.
Tracking back it would seem he lived in Crystal Brook in South Australia
between 1923 and 1930. The bike was no doubt purchased second Hand
so could presumed to be a pre 1922 model. Any ideas
Australia
Tue Apr 18 2006
kchieffyaol
Valve Lifter
1937 Ulster
In what position is the valve lifter in operation and in what position
is it not in operation ( Sticking out to the side or down )
Pennsylvania. U.S.A.
Thu Mar 30 2006
drewckiddyahoo.co.uk
price enq
Rudge whitworth?
I have a friend who knows of a rudge lying in a friends garage , and
has been for a number of years, I have expressed interest in it as I beleive
they are collectable, I have absolutely no idea of values, could you give
me a ballpark figure of what it could be worth, I dont know any other info
about bike as yet but an indication as to what a poor condition bike would
be worth and what kind of money a restored or good condition one would
be worth would help me to decide whether to take this on as a project
Falkirk/Scotland
October 2005
subject: rudge special
Email: officerieger.ws
message: hello 1
my name is wick and i am interested in an rudge special - bike is complet
and 100 % working - but only in a number two optical condition.
would you be so kind to tell me what is an acceptabel price for this
kind of bike.
thanxs a lot
Found this superb machine at Ebay Jan 2002
John O'Grady-- Johnog at aol
1912 Rudge Multi motorcycle with wicker sidecar in
perfect condition.
This great old bike was acquired in New Zealand several years ago and
is in excellent condition. One look at the attached photos and you will
see what we mean!
The 1912 model is the first year of the Rudge Multi, which uses a multi-speed
axle and gear system with a laminated rubber drive belt and was a great
improvement over the previous single speed configuration.
Rudge had its beginnings in 1868 making velocipedes (forerunners
of bicycles). In 1894, the company was acquired by bicycle manufacturer
Whitworth Cycles. They started manufacturing motorcycles in 1910, which
included several early innovations, including a spring-loaded stand, a
front-and-back linked braking system, a spray-action carburetor and, in
their early 1912 model, the 500cc Rudge Multi, a belt-gearing system that
offered no less than 21 gear ratios! The Multi became a highly sought after
machine and gave the compnay their first racing win in 1914.
Rudge made a 998cc V-twin in 1914, but war halted production of it until
1919. In the 1920s, Rudge built four-valve cylinder heads for their 500cc
single, a version of which won the 1928 Ulster Grand Prix - "The World's
Fastest Road Race" - with a speed of 80.078 mph. As a result, their next
model was named the Ulster and offered a top speed of 90 mph. Financial
trouble and World War II brought production to an end in 1939.
Here are the 1912 specifications for this machine:
Engine: Single cylinder, 85mm x 88 mm, 499cc. Overhead inlet
valve, side exhaust
Lubrication: Oil tank on seat tube, pump operated by right foot
Ignition: Ruthardt magneto, gear driven with vernier adjustment
Carburetor: Senspray
Transmission: Direct laminated rubber belt with Multi gear with
engine-shaft clutch
Frame: Simple diamond, Rudge enclosed-spring fork
Wheels: Rudge, with 650x65mm beaded edge tyres
Brakes: Single shoe acting on rear belt rim, stirrup on front
rim
Tanks: Separate fuel and oil
Builder: Rudge Whitworth
Original Finish: Frame black enamel. Tanks silver with thick
green stripes lined in black. Black celluloid on handlebars, levers, pedal
arms and hubs. Small parts nickel plated.
