1919 Rudge 499cc Multi

The Autumn Stafford Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|12 October 2025, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1919 Rudge 499cc Multi
Registration no. BY 4944
Frame no. 16760
Engine no. 16760

Towards the end of the 'Edwardian' era, the desirability of incorporating a clutch into the transmission of a motorcycle had become all too apparent, as had the need for variable gearing. Many customers specified one or other of the numerous competing proprietary transmissions - NSU, Sturmey-Archer, Phillipson, etc - while Rudge offered the Mabon variable gear. Although preferable to direct drive, the Mabon had its weaknesses, prompting Works Manager John Pugh to come up with something better: 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, offering ratios between 3.5:1 and 7.0:1 while maintaining drive belt tension. An outstanding success, it would remain in production for the next ten years.

Unrestored, this wonderful Rudge Multi has enjoyed single-family ownership (father/son) for the last 60 years, having been acquired by the vendor's father on 30th July 1965. The Rudge comes with copies of supplying dealer A E Mann's original purchase invoice and County Borough of Croydon register extract showing that the machine was first owned by one Charles William Bance. According to our vendor, the Rudge is in good working order, and there is a video of it running online. Offered with an old-style continuation logbook and a current V5C.
Key not required

Footnotes

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 12 October, with the auction starting at 11am GMT.

Saleroom notices

The frame number is 755927, as recorded on the original 1919 invoice. The accompanying V5C records both the frame and engine numbers as 16760. The earlier buff logbook does not record a frame or engine number, while the later green logbook incorrectly lists both as 16760. This error has been perpetuated on the V5C. However, the original 1919 invoice (copy on file) confirms the engine number as 16760 and the machine (frame) number as 755927.

Additional information

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