LOT 613 N

1926 Rudge 500cc Four-Valve Registration no. not registered Frame no. 22980 Engine no. 43355

Sold for £11,500 inc. premium

Lot 613^N

1926 Rudge 500cc Four-Valve
Registration no. not registered Frame no. 22980 Engine no. 43355

The Spring Stafford Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|28 April 2019, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1926 Rudge 500cc Four-Valve
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 22980
Engine no. 43355

Formed by the acquisition in 1894 of the Rudge Cycle Company Ltd by the Pugh family's Whitworth Cycle Company, Rudge-Whitworth built its first motorcycle in 1910 and is best remembered for its pioneering use of four-valve cylinder heads. Rudge Whitworth's first four-valve production motorcycle appeared in 1924, and the company persevered with the layout until manufacture ceased at the outbreak of WW2. The motorcycling public's response to this new four-valve, four-speed model was enthusiastic, and by the end of 1924 twice as many machines had been produced as in 1923. The full potential of Rudge's four-valves-per-cylinder design was slow to emerge, but in 1928 Graham Walker's works '500' became the first motorcycle to win a road race - the Ulster Grand Prix - at an average speed in excess of 80mph, a feat which led to the introduction of the legendary 'Ulster' sports model. A variety of valve arrangements was tried across a variety of 250cc, 350cc and 500cc four-valve models as the range developed throughout the 1930s. Sadly, the marque did not re-emerge after WW2.

This early four-valve Rudge was purchased for the vendor's private collection some 30 years ago. Believed to be largely original, the machine is described by the vendor as in working order, having been cared for by the owner's in-house mechanic. There are no documents with this Lot.

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

The VMCC Rudge marque specialists advises this machine is a 1927 500cc Sports model, as confirmed by the frame and engine numbers. The machine displays several 1927 features including the steering damper arrangement (which operates through the steering column using a wing nut) and two separate exhaust pipes into the 'Rudge Four' silencers.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
For Motorcycles (Lots 201-662) the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter, VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Buyer's Premium for Memorabilia and Spares (Lots 1-198) will adhere to Bonhams group policy, the Buyer's Premium is 27.5% on the first £2,500 of the hammer price; 25% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £2,500 up to and including £300,000; 20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £300,000 up to and including £3,000,000 and 13.9% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £3,000,000. This applies to each lot purchased and is subject to VAT. Some lots may be subject to VAT on the hammer price. These lots will be clearly marked with a dagger (†) printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
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Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
Storage Notices
Motorcycle Spares and Memorabilia Clearance
All purchased lots must be cleared from the sale venue by 7pm Sunday 28 April 2019. All un-collected purchased lots shall then be removed to Bonhams storage facility at: Bonhams Oxford Banbury Road Shipton on Cherwell Kidlington Oxford OX5 1JH Lots will be available for collection from 10am Thursday 2 May by appointment only.
To arrange collection please contact the Motorcycle Department +44 (0) 20 8963 2817 or [email protected] to make an appointment.
All lots will be charged a minimum of £12+VAT uplift and storage at £1+VAT per day per lot.
All lots marked with a ◊ will be charged £30+VAT uplift and storage at £6+VAT per day per lot.
All lots marked with a ◊◊ will be charged £60+VAT uplift and storage at £12+VAT per day per lot.
All lots marked with a ◊◊◊ will require specific shipping and storage arrangements, as they are either extremely large or heavy objects.
Please contact the Motorcycle Department for detailed information in advance of bidding. Failure to contact the department may result in your purchased lot(s) being uplifted to an offsite store at your expense. Shipping Enquiries: For all motorcycle spares & memorabilia shipping enquiries please contact Alban Shipping quoting your client, sale & lot number to discuss your shipping requirements Tel: +44 (0) 1582 493099 email:
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Please note Bonhams do not provide shipping neither do Bonhams pack lots. Should you wish to organise collection of your lots via a third party carrier, they must check and pack lots on your behalf upon collection. Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at the buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.

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28 April 2001, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
27 April 2019, 09:00 - 18:00 BST

Lot symbols

N	NOVA declaration
	If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.