Gearbox no. 326065

The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.

If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.

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. "Speed and the easiest way to obtain it!" declared Rudge's advertising, which listed the standard Ulster at £70, 90mph guaranteed for £75, and 100mph guaranteed for £85.

This Ulster has the bronze cylinder head newly introduced on that model for 1934, and has a Godfrey's Ltd transfer on the front mudguard. An older restoration, the machine currently displays a total of only 2 miles on the odometer. The engine turns over but without compression, and it should be noted that the clutch lever is broken.

Despite displaying the Vehicle Registration Number 'LSU 252', the machine is offered without registration documents and the HPI report states that this motorcycle was exported in January 2002. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding and will be responsible for any post-purchase DVLA applications should they wish to attempt to retrieve the VRN.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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