c.1930 Rudge 499cc 'Ulster' Racing Motorcycle

MILANO|18 November 2022, 16:00 CET|Milano AutoClassica

c.1930 Rudge 499cc 'Ulster' Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 42459
Engine no. 41531

• Iconic 1930s competition model
• Extensively modified
• An older restoration

• Mitico esemplare da competizione degli anni 30
• Ampiamente modificato
• Vecchio restauro

Footnotes

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 Grand Prix' sports model, or 'Ulster' for short. Early engines deployed parallel valves in a pent-roof combustion chamber, but then in 1930 a trio of 350s appeared at the Isle of Man with radially disposed valves. This new arrangement emphatically demonstrated its superiority when the Rudge team of Tyrell Smith, Ernie Nott and Graham Walker finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Junior TT. Nott, Walker, Smith and Wal Handley were entered in the Senior race, Handley finishing 1st at a record speed of 74.24mph with Walker 2nd, Smith 6th and Nott 7th, winning for Rudge the coveted Team Prize. Not surprisingly, the Rudge Ulster was the machine to own in 1930.

Frame number '42459' dates from June/July 1930 (and is not a works frame), while the engine number with the '-1' suffix identifies the engine as a '100 MPH Ulster'. The '100MPH Ulster' machines were put together by the factory to satisfy the Manx Motorcycle Club regulations requiring that machines had to be listed in manufacturers' catalogues, but could have certain modifications available to the public. The engine's bottom end is a '100MPH Ulster' one, while the top end is that of the Special (touring roadster) and appears to date from 1934-1936. The gearbox and wheels are of Rudge manufacture also. Non-standard features include the front forks, gear change mechanism and mudguards, while the Rudge fuel tank has been modified to support a top-mounted oil tank. An older restoration, this Ulster has belonged to the current vendor since 2006 having previously formed part of a major private collection for many years. Not used for some time, the machine will require re-commissioning before it returns the racetrack.

Please note that these lot will require an Export License to be exported out of Italy.

Saleroom notices

Please note that the complete Frame Number for this vehicle is 4153-1.

Additional information

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