The Rudge Whitworth variable 'Multi' gear first appeared in 1911. It was very successful - in 1914 it became the first single to win the IOM Senior TT with Cyril Pullin clocking an average speed of 49.49mph.
The Multi saw active service in World War I, the Italian Army ordered a batch at the end of hostilities, and the Multi was the model selected for manufacture in 1918 to get production underway, to re-finance the Rudge operation. By 1921 Rudge production was running at 30 machines a day and riders such as Bob Dicker and Bill Lacey kept the Rudge name in the headlines with successes at Brooklands and other events.
"Our readers will be able to examine the Rudge-Whitworth motor cycles at the Olympia Show next month, as well as a free engine machine complete with sidecar attachment." The Motor Cycle, October 6th 1910.
