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The Motorcycles Model Range
The Motorcycles Model Range
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| Tuesday, 10 February 2009 17:23 |
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Chronological listing of Rudge Models and innovations (thanks to Colin Chapple for his input) 1911 - First Rudge motorcycles on sale to the public, single speed, single cylinder (499cc), belt drive,optional NSU or Mabon geared machines before the Multi 1912 - Multi gear introduced along with Brooklands and TT models. 1913 - Larger 750cc Multi introduced 1914 - Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub available. 1915 - A 'V' twin with Jardine 4 speed gearbox appeared before the Multwin, the 1000cc V twin 'Multi' was introduced. 1921 - 3 speed gearbox introduced. 1923 - 4 speed gearbox introduced on the 7/9hp V twin machine. Last Multi produced. 1924 - New 4 valve 350cc model introduced with 4 speed gearbox, followed by 500cc version. 1925 - Production 500cc as above and linked front and rear brakes. Big end now fed through crank pin. 1926 - 350cc model dropped. 1928 - First saddle tank machines fitted with internal expanding drum brakes. Dirt Track model introduced. 1929 - Ulster model added to the range after Graham Walker (Murray's father) Ulster G.P. win, along with a JAP engined 250cc and parallel 4 valve 350cc. 1930 - Dry sump lubrication introduced on road models. Last year of the JAP 250cc and parallel valve 350cc. 1931 - TT Replica models introduced (350cc & 500cc). Fully radial Rudge engined 250cc introduced with coil ignition along side fully radial 350cc. Parallel valve 500cc road machines (Special & Ulster) now had the magneto mounted behind the cylinder. The 'Ulster' now came with an optional 100mph guarantee. 1932 - First and only year of the fully radial 500cc Ulster. 250cc TT Replica introduced. Road models gained a true oil bath chaincase. 1933 - Last year the dirt track machines were catalogued. Last year of the 250cc, 350cc and 500cc TT Replica machines and fully radial 350cc. 500cc Ulster reverted to forward magneto mounting position with a semi radial cast iron cylinder head. 1934 - Ulster now rear magneto with the newly introduced aluminium bronze semi-radial cylinder head. 250cc fully radial 4 valve Sports introduced. 1935 - First 2 valve 250cc introduced - the Tourist. 500cc Competition model catalogued. 1936 - Last year of the fully radial 4 valve 250cc (250cc Sports). 250cc 2 valve renamed Rapid. Round tubed forks introduced. 1937 - 500cc engines redesigned with fully enclosed cylinder heads. Sports Special 500cc model introduced. E.M.I. takes over company and moves to Hayes, Middlesex. Bicycle production only recommenced in 1937, motorcycles not being produced until late 1938. 1938 - 250cc 2 valve Sports introduced. 1939 - 500cc Ulster fitted with RR50 aluminium cylinder head. Villiers engined Autocycle introduced. 1939/40 - Factory closes to make room for radar production. |
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