LOT 110

Property of a deceased's estate 1921 Rudge 499cc Multi Registration no. X 9001 (see text) Frame no. 772343 Engine no. 20304

Sold for £6,900 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 110

Property of a deceased's estate, 1921 Rudge 499cc Multi

The December Sale - Motorcycles, Spares & Memorabilia|11 December 2023, 12:23 GMT|Online, Milton Keynes

Property of a deceased's estate
1921 Rudge 499cc Multi
Registration no. X 9001 (see text)
Frame no. 772343
Engine no. 20304

By 1912, the desirability of incorporating a clutch into the transmission had become obvious, and Rudge offered various options including the Mabon variable gear. Although preferable to direct drive, the Mabon had its weaknesses, prompting Rudge's John Pugh to devise a better alternative: the Multi. Controlled by a tank-mounted lever, the Multi worked by varying the diameter of two pulleys, one on the crankshaft, the other on the rear wheel, while maintaining drive belt tension. An outstanding success, it would remain in production for the next 10 years. This Multi belonged to the lady vendor's late father and has been kept in dry storage for some time.

Recommissioning at the very least, or possibly more extensive restoration, will be required before the Rudge returns to the road and thus it is sold strictly as viewed.

Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding. Although the machine comes with an old-style V5C registration document, the registration 'X 9001' is not recorded in the HPI database despite appearing to the Gov.UK (DVLA) online database. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the validity of the vehicle's registration number prior to bidding.

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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 client services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol ( †, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Motorcycles (Lots 101-129) 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.
For Memorabilia/Automobilia and Spares (Lots 1-14) the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
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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