LOT 756

c.1931/1932 Rudge 500cc 'Demon' Speedway Racing Motorcycle Frame no. 3918 Engine no. TT145

Sold for £5,175 inc. premium

Lot 756

c.1931/1932 Rudge 500cc 'Demon' Speedway Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 3918 Engine no. TT145

The Summer Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show (Three-Day Auction)|4 July 2021, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

c.1931/1932 Rudge 500cc 'Demon' Speedway Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 3918
Engine no. TT145

Dirt track (speedway) racing arrived in the UK in 1928 from Australia, the first make of motorcycle to achieve dominance on the cinders being Douglas. The latter was soon deposed and for a while it was the lighter and more compact Rudge that ruled the roost, before the arrival of the ubiquitous 'Speedway JAP' set the pattern for the next 30 years. Equipped with the 1927 works-type engine, Rudge's first speedway prototype was assembled in June 1928 and the model entered production the following month. The speedway engine was redesigned for 1930 and new front forks adopted on the dirt-tracker, which continued to be highly successful in the hands of riders such as 'Golden Helmet' winners Jim Kempster of Wimbledon and Jack Parker of Brighton. Indeed, in 1931 Rudge's advertising was able to claim that the most successful speedway competitors rode Rudges. Production of the Rudge speedway model ceased in 1933, though they continued in use for a number of years, sometimes fitted with JAP engines. This speedway Rudge was acquired by the Rudge-enthusiast vendor at some time during the 1950s. The machine last ran many years ago and since then has been kept in storage. Re-commissioning will be required to bring it back to running condition. There are no documents with this Lot.

Saleroom notices

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