Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, c.1933 Rudge 499cc TT Replica Racing Motorcycle

Registration no. not registered Frame no. unable to locate Engine no. S45

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. Early engines deployed parallel valves in a pent-roof combustion chamber, then in 1930 a trio of 350s appeared at the Isle of Man with radially-disposed valves, the new arrangement demonstrating its superiority when the Rudges finished 1,2,3 in the Junior TT. The next move was to produce a 'head for the 500 featuring parallel inlet valves and radial exhausts, and this semi-radial arrangement debuted on the works bikes for 1931. Chief advantage of the semi-radial valve gear was its reduced complication, but although the works 500s proved every bit as fast as before, they were beset by handling problems. Altered weight distribution caused by re-positioning the magneto behind the cylinder was diagnosed as the culprit, and the mag was promptly moved back to its original position. The TT Replica went from parallel valves in 1931 to radial in 1932 and then, finally, to the semi-radial arrangement for 1933, the last year of this model's production. Semi-radial valves were adopted for the 500cc Ulster for '33, and Rudge's top-of-the-range model would keep this arrangement until production ceased in 1939. This Rudge TT Replica was purchased from Paul Ingham in December 2006 and comes with related correspondence and the purchase receipt. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.