close
REC Members Zone
Please enter your username and password below to access the Members Area.
Home 
The Rudge Club History of the Club
The Rudge Club History of the Club
| History of the Club |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 10 February 2009 08:39 |
During the years that the Rudge motorcycle was in production, various groups of enthusiasts, who appreciated the engineering skill and design, formed Clubs for Rudge owners. Motorcyclists of the 'between the wars' era may remember the 'Rudge Night Riders' who had the owl as their insignia. At the end of the Second World War, when it was clear that the Marque would not be going back into production, the Rudge Assocation was formed which prospered during the late 1940s. Unfortunately, the Association did not last and by 1952 Rudge owners were without a Club.The need for a body to organise the activities of owners was great, so the present Rudge Enthusiasts Club was formed on the 5th February 1956 following an informal meeting in Eltham Park, London. A Club magazine soon followed providing members with a free advertising service and a wealth of information, both historical and technical, whilst setting a high standard which has been maintained to the present day in the form of 'The Radial'. Back issues are in great demand, and it is a lucky member who has a complete set. The 1960s proved a testing time the for Club when the manufacture and sale of spares came to an end when Godfreys Ltd closed their showroom in Great Portland Street and ceased to make spares. Fortunately, through their good offices, the Club was able to purchase the remaining stock, and the spares arm of the Club was formed. This spares service has been improved and extended with the manufacture of many parts previously not available and prices compare favourably with those of machines in current production. With growing successes of Rudges in the the field of competition, the production of suitable 'tuning' spares has also received attention.  Throughout the 1970s and 80s the Club prospered. Membership steadily increased and also the introduction of the 'microfilm' service, which was based on over 10,000 drawings from original factory blueprints.The Club is truly international and, although there are no Club headquarters, there are 'Areas' in the UK and as far afield as Australia, with Club representative organising programmes of events and gatherings, centred on the main Club rally held in the Midlands in the UK during May each year. The 1990s saw further expansion with the formation of a comprehensive library service and the re-amalgamation of the separate spares Company (Rudge [1994] Ltd) in to the Rudge Enthusiasts Club Ltd, which provides service to the world-wide membership. |
Join the Rudge Club...
The Rudge Enthusiasts Club runs events for members all over the UK and Overseas - the perfect club to join if you are interested in Rudge Motorcycles.MORE INFO...