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A Road Less TraveledRudge 1939 250cc Rapid The "250" with the "350" performance
Rudge RapidFongri Motorcycles Tazio Nuvolari's First Racer
Fongri
Melen were motorcycles produced by F. and H. Melen of Cheapside,
Birmingham, from 1912 to 1913 and from 1922 to 1926.
1912 The first machine, a combination, was exhibited at the late Olympia
Show. It had a 6hp JAP
V-twin engine, Roc two-speed
gear and belt drive. The wicker sidecar had a four-point attachment.
1913 The enterprise was short-lived and did not last beyond that year.
1922 The Melen resurfaced on a tradesman's motor carrier tricycle,
in the form of a conventional motorcyle with the exception of the front.
This had two wheels and a closed-top delivery box positioned between them.
It therefore resembled the rather out-dated forecar of yesteryear, and
was powered by a 292cc two-stroke Union
engine.
1924 By now, the Union engine had
been replaced by a 343cc Villiers,
but otherwise the design was virtually unchanged.
1926 Production continued until this year and then stopped.
