A Brief History of the Marque
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.
Sources: Cycle Memory, et al.
Sat, 03 Feb 2018
robeve1014 at rogers.com
Rudge 3 1/2 H.P. Cycle
On the 7th June, 1920, my father registered the above motor cycle in Stirlingshire, Scotland. The only other information on the registration document is weight, 150 Lbs. I do not know if it was new or used and am trying to find out as much as possible about this machine. For example would it have been considered a "fast" or ""sporty" machine. Regards, Robert Allan
Robert Allan
Pickering, Ontario Canada
Mon Jan 13 2014
chasgould at mac.com
Parts and technical inquiry
Rudge Whitworth 1928 Four Valve
I have begun the process of reassembling this wonderful old motorbike, which wqas taken apart by the previous owner about ten years ago. I have developed a number of questions, and have discovered that a few parts have either been lost or
broken since the bike had been disassembled almost ten years ago. 1) Specifically, the carburetor has gone missing, and I will have to source a new one. I do have the throttle slide (which is badly worn), but no carburetor body, so I would
like to source a replacement carburetor. Can you confirm whether Rudge used an Amal carburetor or another manufacturer, and can you please provide the proper model number and size?
Please also confirm whether these are available either through the club or form other sources. 2) I will also require a new clock-spring for the kickstarted mechanism as the old one has broken. 3) Finally, I could use a new set of clutch
plates, both fibre and steel. 4) I also have a number of questions about the assembly of the bike. Specifically, there are a number of bushes and/or friction washers (3081) or spacers on the bolts (3078, 3079 &3080) that go through the
upper and lower shackles (3076 & 3077) which tie the two front fork girders together. I am having trouble determining which parts and the proper orientation for these friction washers and bushings. Can you possibly provide any diagram or
guidance for this arrangement to assist me in the proper assembly./ Please also confirm if the friction washers and bushes are fibre, brass or steel. When I received the bike form John's estate, there were only three brass bushes on each of
these bolts, which is unusual to have n odd number of bushes for this assembly. I would be extremely grateful for an advice or guidance which you might be able to provide to assist me in getting this old Rudge back on the road again.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Kind regards, Charles Boston, Massachusetts USA
Fri Sep 20 2013
ken.sames <at>mypostoffice.co.uk
i.d.
rudge unknown
what rudge had hand gear shift, chrome tank and high level exhausts have photos circa 1935
london
English
Sun Sep 01 2013
jg560<at>btinternet.com
Timeing
Rudge Ulster 1937
could you please supply the ignition timing for a 1937 Rudge Ulster in either degees or height of piston
wales
Thu Jun 28 2012
campusbicycles<at>gmail.com
Magneto
Rudge 250 Sports
I'm needing to know what the correct magneto belongs on my 1935 250 Sports. I currently have a beautifully rebuilt ML that Stuart Towner did for me, but it appears to be incorrect for that bike. Anyone with some knowledge on this?
Thanks, Budd
USA
Fri Nov 04 2011
dfurman1<at>hotmail.com
JAP engines
Rudge Ulster
Dear Sirs,
I inherited a 1935 Rudge Ulster (or special) 500cc 4 valve single that I was informed was a JAP engine. Rudge is not in your list of motorcycle manufacturers using the JAP engines and I thought I should update your info.
Dale Furman
Thu Oct 13 2011
sonnt<at>idcsaigon.com
What brand and model year of this motorcycle
Dear Sir,
Could you please help to let me know what brand and model year of the motorcycle in the attached picture. I tried days to find the similar image on the internet but cannot find. This motorcycle was found in Vietnam during 1950s. Thanks a lot.
............
There are some points which may help to recognize for example: the front suspension built by 2 small rods; the shape of exhaust pipe; One exhaust pipe on left side.
Generally, It looks like an Italy Frera model 1938, but Frera usually build their exhaust pipe on right side, do you know any Frera model with exhaust pipe on the left side?
............
Thanks you anyway, after research, I think (99%) this is a Rudge Special with modification of the exhaust pipe, it has 2 pipes but not 1 pipe as said in previous email. This picture was take in 1952, means, it is at least 13 years old, the
pipe must be rusted and need to be repaired, that's why it looks different from the original Rudge Special.
Thanks & regards,
Sean Nguyen.
Thu Dec 23 2010
lesmedland<at>ntlworlddot com
Rudge Speedway/Dirt track
Hi. I bought this Engine in the 60s. Long Stroke Engine No 231. Any info Please
Oxfordshire. UK
Thu Nov 19 2009
peternpearson at aoldot com
Rudge identification
Rudge unknown
Reg. number GW 8311 frame number 47729.
Have discovered a cover note in my late father in laws papers and would like to identify the model. The cover note is dated 11th May 1935. It is noted as 2.5hp.
Many thanks
Peter
yorkshire UK
Rudge 750cc 1913
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.
Rudge Multi 500cc 1912
Mon May 04 2009
murray823 at btinternetdot 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 yahoodot com
info
Rudge Rigid
I bought this 1939(?) at a 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 at 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
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 acquired 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
(Email address withheld at owner's request)
Fri Feb 29 2008
patrick at cunninghampatrick.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
Mon Feb 25 2008
gustr at shaw.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
rjhunt9216 at rogersdot com
steering head bearings
Rudge 1939 Ulster
Where might I obtain cups and cones or a taper replacement
hamilton, canada
Mon Jan 07 2008
sangoma at shaw.ca
decals for Rudge Multi
1914 Multi
Can anyone help with decals for a Rudge Multi
Canada
Tue Oct 02 2007
rudge-racing at tele2.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
(image in gallery. Ed.)
Fri Aug 31 2007
max.cowie at bordernet.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
edmand at tiscali.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.roshan at gmaildot 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.flaschka at med.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
April 1st 2007
....and my own Rudge UGP 1930 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 at yahoo.com.au
rudge eng no's
29' ulster
can anyone give me eng no's for 29' ulster please?
australia
hope this helps , Alex
Mon Feb 05 2007
craiggilbertson at bigponddot com
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
sangoma at shaw.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
alanvthomas19 at btinternetdot com
rudge ulster
The guy in america with the rudge ulster;contact me.
regards Alan.
chester
Sat Sep 02 2006
jeff.torello at sbcglobal.net
my Rudge
1939 Rudge Ulster
I have acquired 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-blevins at msndot com
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.william at gmaildot com
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
kchieffy at aoldot com
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
drewckidd at yahoo.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: office at rieger.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 aoldot com
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!
If you have a query about Rudge motorcycles please contact us
