The bike in question is a 1929 Rudge Ulster, their pukka Racing Replica, and a faithful copy of Graham Walker’s 1928 Rudge factory racer on which he won the Ulster TT at a ‘world’s first’ road race average of 80mph. The factory wisely sought to capitalize on Graham’s success by building a racer for sale, and the infamous Ulster model was born. Rudge carried on building Ulsters as their top-line motorcycle until they ceased building bikes at the onset of WW2, and like many a soldier, did not return after. The company did carry on though, but preferred to sell their wheel technology to automotive and motorcycle manufacturers, as they’d invented the splined knock-off wheel hub and the flanged aluminum rim for two and four wheels. Ever notice those Rudge wheels on a Mercedes Gull-Wing 300SL? Also, Borrani licensed the Rudge patent for flanged aluminum wheel rims, the first in the industry, introduced in the mid-1930s for both cars and motorcycles.
The first-year Rudge Ulster (1929) was a unique beast, and was essentially a one-year model. The 500cc single-cylinder pushrod engine had 4 valves and 33hp, and a four-speed gearbox, while the rest of the industry still contended with 3-speed boxes. Top speed was 105mph on an open exhaust pipe. The engine had a total-loss oiling system, meaning it had no oil pump per se, but rather an oil metering device, and the oil was allowed to burn off/drip out rather than being returned hot to the engine. ‘A constant supply of clean oil’ was the thought, but properly circulating oil really helps keep an engine cooler! There are other features of the bike which are unique to the year, such as the twin-filler gas and oil tanks and large diameter wheel rims (21″ and 20″ front and rear); the 8″ drum brakes were the biggest in the motorcycle industry for many years.
Regarding the poster of Graham Walker’s machine; the owner has it attached to his garage wall – a pinup! Let’s hope the Ulster looks as good as the calendar girl when it arrives in the USA.
artoftime said…
Paul – it was such a pleasure to see your name over at the Sartorialist – I bought your 900GTS in something like 1990 – never forgot how cool you and Denise(?) were – rode the wheels off that bike, sold it, traded it back for a painting and now just looking it in mock up state. Don’t quite know where to go with it…anyway, now into vintage cars and a painting career. Would love to catch up – you even in NYC?
Gregory Johnston
APRIL 01, 2007
vintagent said…
Hi Gregory, can’t contact you via your artoftime handle for some reason; send me your email address! I was just in NYC, but will be back likely in early June. Send to vintagent1@aol.com
I was just thinking about ‘ARTMS’ when I was in NY actually, must have been psychic. What a great bike. If you want to sell it back, let me know. P
APRIL 11, 2007
Anonymous said…
Wonderful article, I own and ride a Rudge Special 500 1937. The bike is new to me, however, my father had a Rudge in his youth. I love vintage cars and motorcycles. Would you be able to recommend a source to acquire an owners manual and spare parts list?
Thanks
George Murphy
Mar 27 2007
Paul – it was such a pleasure to see your name over at the Sartorialist – I bought your 900GTS in something like 1990 – never forgot how cool you and Denise(?) were – rode the wheels off that bike, sold it, traded it back for a painting and now just looking it in mock up state. Don’t quite know where to go with it…anyway, now into vintage cars and a painting career. Would love to catch up – you even in NYC?
Gregory Johnston
APRIL 01, 2007
Hi Gregory, can’t contact you via your artoftime handle for some reason; send me your email address! I was just in NYC, but will be back likely in early June. Send to vintagent1@aol.com
I was just thinking about ‘ARTMS’ when I was in NY actually, must have been psychic. What a great bike. If you want to sell it back, let me know. P
APRIL 11, 2007
Wonderful article, I own and ride a Rudge Special 500 1937. The bike is new to me, however, my father had a Rudge in his youth. I love vintage cars and motorcycles. Would you be able to recommend a source to acquire an owners manual and spare parts list?
Thanks
George Murphy
Mar 27 2007