LOT 712
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection c.1933 Rudge 499cc TT Replica Racing Motorcycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. 48011 Engine no. 35
Sold for £17,250 inc. premium
Lot 712
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, c.1933 Rudge 499cc TT Replica Racing MotorcycleRegistration no. not registered Frame no. 48011 Engine no. 35
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection
c.1933 Rudge 499cc TT Replica Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 48011
Engine no. 35
c.1933 Rudge 499cc TT Replica Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 48011
Engine no. 35
• One of the most desirable sports roadsters of the 1930s
• An older restoration
• Bronze cylinder head
The full potential of Rudge's four-valves-per-cylinder engine 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 that 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 1st, 2nd and 3rd 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's frame was built in May 1932 while the engine consists of a 1933 TTR bottom end and a 1934/1935 bronze cylinder head. The gearbox is made up from parts dating from 1930-1937 (linkage not connected) and the rear mudguard has the wrong profile. There are no documents with this Lot. 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.
• An older restoration
• Bronze cylinder head
The full potential of Rudge's four-valves-per-cylinder engine 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 that 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 1st, 2nd and 3rd 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's frame was built in May 1932 while the engine consists of a 1933 TTR bottom end and a 1934/1935 bronze cylinder head. The gearbox is made up from parts dating from 1930-1937 (linkage not connected) and the rear mudguard has the wrong profile. There are no documents with this Lot. 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.
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