It's so nice that you've not over restored it and have left it with it's beautiful patina of age. A bike this original should be left original in my opinion.
'Rudge it, don't trudge it', and then some. What a marvelous project to be involved with. Thank you . Timely reminder that a visit to Brooklands is long overdue.
Well done and thank you to the Brooklands Motorcycle Team for the hard work they put into preserving these important motorcycles and keeping them in running order.
Back in 2014 I went to Brooklands and, besides all the amazing vehicles, my main interest was to see the motorcycles. At a certain moment of my visit I was beholding a beautiful Sunbeam that was "parked" by the stairs that goes up to the private club room and I was aproached by a friendly old fella that came out of "nowhere" dressed in one of those immaculate white mechanic's jumpsuits. He smiled and asked me if I liked old motorcycles. I said yes, very much, adding that I came from Brazil to see them in flesh. He got a little surprised and then he said, well, let me tell a story. I said, sure, and then he told me the following story in a very tongue in cheek mood. "Those golden pinstripes that adorn Sumbeam's petrol tanks aren't just golden paint, they are actually golden leafs applied by hand by specialized workmen. During the year those workmen kept the leftover leafs to themselves and by Christmas time they would sell them to increase their income. One day the manager of the factory became aware of it and, secretly, told the big bosses about it. The next day those workmen were called to the director's room. So, they went there, humble, hats on their hands without knowing what was going on. Few minutes passed by and then the director of the factory showed up and said to them that once they have been working so well the would have a salary increase of five shillings. The workmen became very surprised and greatful and were leaving the director's room when he stopped them and added, from now on the gold leafs you use on the factory must be bought there by you, and it will cost you five shillings". I laughted for the humor of the story and smiled in total bliss to be the lucky one who received the gift of very special moment. Then we [me and the old guy] shook hands, I asked his name and he said Ralph and in the same way he appeared by my side, he just "vanished" leaving me knowing I was approached by one of the holy spirits that keeps Brooklands a very magical place. The second day [yes it took me two days to visit it all and if I had enough time I would go even a third day] after going to the hangar, where I befriended another man who took care of a Harrier combat plane in exhibition [that guy gave me a motorcycle magazine], I saw it! The track! That giant relevé curve that rises itself like a wave of holy cement. As a child, I just shouted to my wife, lets go there! And we just run towards it and, ignoring the warnings, we just sat there, as high as we were able to climb and, all alone, we experienced one of the most powerful feelings we ever had regarding to the conection with the past. There, right in the middle of the great curve, we are not capable to see that it's just a section of the cut track. So it appears to be "infinite". Besides that, the curve acts as an acoustic shell capting, echoing and mixing together the sounds of the cars on the Mercedes test track nearby and also the souns of an airport few miles away. The impression of those echoes reverberating on the curve is that bolides are coming in full throttle direct onto you, but of course, they never arrive. They sound like ghostly echoes from machines from the past and I will never forget that feeling. Brooklands may cause all those emotions for those who have petrol running in their veins. It's truly a magical place. Best regards from Brazil. ✌
The oldest bike I've ridden, back in the late 1980's, was a 1929 Rudge Ulster 500, that had been converted from hand to foot gear change. It belonged to my friend, Brian Cooper. Brian died in 2021.
I had never heard of the Rudge motorcycle. Then, I watched an episode of Then Came Bronson on YT. 1969. He was riding through Montana USA and became involved with Keenan Wynn, an American actor '40-70's, He had a '37 Rudge Ulster hidden away from his wife for years, because of an accident. In the end, Keenan rode it again proudly. Cool bike. Love Rudge. The episode was called The "Old motorcycle fiasco." Look it up!
@balajiiyengar4. "Century Old" Bike. These types of Very Old time Motorbikes are Extremely Intriguing. I'd strongly prefer this style of motorbike over any modern sportbike.
Very nice piece of history. However I wish you would have showed a close up of the external valve train working. That is the cool part of these old engines.
I was watching this with interest as my grandfather Arthur “Goldflake” Wills, was there at Brooklands with the Rudge team at the time of the record attempts. I was surprised and delighted when at 9.30 two pictures popped up with him in them. I was more surprised, on closer inspection, to see that the pictures are in fact copies of my originals. These are pictures I have had, either in a file or hanging on my wall, for decades. I have only ever shown them to a couple of people, both Rudge enthusiast earlier this year. I have known of this bike since childhood and often wondered what had happened to it; so to see it that it still exists is a delight and of course an even greater delight to see and hear it running. If you run it again please can you let know? I would love to be there.
Hi Peter, this is great to read things like this. If you message me at the channel I will put you in touch with the team - theclassicmotorcyclechannel@gmail.com
Correction, The "Old Motorcycle Fiasco" episode of Then Came Bronson was in Wyoming, not Montana. If you love motorcycles, this is a must! Rudge forever!
Well, well, well. It lives! Firstly a posthumous thank you to Brian for nudging this thing into safe keeping. And then a well done to Brooklands for marking the centenary, you may even be forgiven for not putting the split pin in the front brake shoe's pivot pin :-). I'd enquired the last 2 visits to B as to where the bike was. Since no one had heard of the bike at all I was a little worried it had vanished. It would be interesting to know what's inside the gearbox. Rudge gearboxes have a fair degree of common genes from 25 to 39. But the gear strength is the issue. Fine tooth gears from the mid 20s weren't strong enough to finish races (when single powered) according to some contemporary reports. '24 gearboxes are different to all later ones. But remain 4 speed. Before this? '22 and 3 saw 3 speed production gearboxes. But what, if anything, was done to it to sustain 70mph for 600 miles? Dunno. But you guys have the only example. Heres hoping Reynolds had a big box of dusty spares useless to all other Rudge's cos I dont see you finding spares anywhere else. It is known though that later 20s Rudge gearboxes do not have enough space under the gear train for stray teeth hence the pattern of holed cases. So a kinder clutch operation might be prudent. Mostly though; thanks for getting it going. A.
Thank you for your comments, The clutch is definitely at the top of our "to-do" list, certainly before we run it again. As you can see from some of the video it is not in good condition externally, being constructed of thin sections and we will have to be very careful dismantling it. The 3 speed box itself feels very sound. The front brake shoe now has a new split pin! BR Gareth
A fantastic machine and so fast 500 miles at an average of 75mph, wow! Would love to see it going fast, obviously no at Brookland's, if you could find someone brave enough to drive it. Nice to see that it doesn't look like a brand new bike, so many of these fine old machines are over restored and consequently ruined.
It's so nice that you've not over restored it and have left it with it's beautiful patina of age. A bike this original should be left original in my opinion.
'Rudge it, don't trudge it', and then some. What a marvelous project to be involved with. Thank you . Timely reminder that a visit to Brooklands is long overdue.
Well done and thank you to the Brooklands Motorcycle Team for the hard work they put into preserving these important motorcycles and keeping them in running order.
I love this stuff, English history has got to be preserved, all the best,.
Back in 2014 I went to Brooklands and, besides all the amazing vehicles, my main interest was to see the motorcycles.
At a certain moment of my visit I was beholding a beautiful Sunbeam that was "parked" by the stairs that goes up to the private club room and I was aproached by a friendly old fella that came out of "nowhere" dressed in one of those immaculate white mechanic's jumpsuits. He smiled and asked me if I liked old motorcycles. I said yes, very much, adding that I came from Brazil to see them in flesh. He got a little surprised and then he said, well, let me tell a story. I said, sure, and then he told me the following story in a very tongue in cheek mood.
"Those golden pinstripes that adorn Sumbeam's petrol tanks aren't just golden paint, they are actually golden leafs applied by hand by specialized workmen. During the year those workmen kept the leftover leafs to themselves and by Christmas time they would sell them to increase their income. One day the manager of the factory became aware of it and, secretly, told the big bosses about it. The next day those workmen were called to the director's room. So, they went there, humble, hats on their hands without knowing what was going on. Few minutes passed by and then the director of the factory showed up and said to them that once they have been working so well the would have a salary increase of five shillings. The workmen became very surprised and greatful and were leaving the director's room when he stopped them and added, from now on the gold leafs you use on the factory must be bought there by you, and it will cost you five shillings".
I laughted for the humor of the story and smiled in total bliss to be the lucky one who received the gift of very special moment. Then we [me and the old guy] shook hands, I asked his name and he said Ralph and in the same way he appeared by my side, he just "vanished" leaving me knowing I was approached by one of the holy spirits that keeps Brooklands a very magical place.
The second day [yes it took me two days to visit it all and if I had enough time I would go even a third day] after going to the hangar, where I befriended another man who took care of a Harrier combat plane in exhibition [that guy gave me a motorcycle magazine], I saw it! The track! That giant relevé curve that rises itself like a wave of holy cement. As a child, I just shouted to my wife, lets go there! And we just run towards it and, ignoring the warnings, we just sat there, as high as we were able to climb and, all alone, we experienced one of the most powerful feelings we ever had regarding to the conection with the past.
There, right in the middle of the great curve, we are not capable to see that it's just a section of the cut track. So it appears to be "infinite".
Besides that, the curve acts as an acoustic shell capting, echoing and mixing together the sounds of the cars on the Mercedes test track nearby and also the souns of an airport few miles away.
The impression of those echoes reverberating on the curve is that bolides are coming in full throttle direct onto you, but of course, they never arrive. They sound like ghostly echoes from machines from the past and I will never forget that feeling.
Brooklands may cause all those emotions for those who have petrol running in their veins. It's truly a magical place.
Best regards from Brazil. ✌
The oldest bike I've ridden, back in the late 1980's, was a 1929 Rudge Ulster 500, that had been converted from hand to foot gear change. It belonged to my friend, Brian Cooper. Brian died in 2021.
Congratulations to the whole team for this presentation of a beautiful motorcycle.. I imagine this would have been the Triumph Rocket of the day
I had never heard of the Rudge motorcycle. Then, I watched an episode of Then Came Bronson on YT. 1969. He was riding through Montana USA and became involved with Keenan Wynn, an American actor '40-70's, He had a '37 Rudge Ulster hidden away from his wife for years, because of an accident. In the end, Keenan rode it again proudly. Cool bike. Love Rudge. The episode was called The "Old motorcycle fiasco." Look it up!
TCB was my inspiration, I made it 3 months on the road in 1970
Rudge bikes won the TT races.
So lucky to see a decade old bike still running and kudos to the team reviving the history and making us witness the same, good luck to the team.
@balajiiyengar4. "Century Old" Bike.
These types of Very Old time Motorbikes are Extremely Intriguing.
I'd strongly prefer this style of motorbike over any modern sportbike.
This rider looks just right for this bike ridden to present a sample show ! Both are seasoned, Ha!
What an incredible machine ❤️
Very nice piece of history. However I wish you would have showed a close up of the external valve train working. That is the cool part of these old engines.
Great idea to ride it at Brooklands on a surface that looks like it's experienced recent heavy mortar fire.
100 years old wow
wonderfull and rare bike! I love bikes before 1935. Cheers from France
I was watching this with interest as my grandfather Arthur “Goldflake” Wills, was there at Brooklands with the Rudge team at the time of the record attempts. I was surprised and delighted when at 9.30 two pictures popped up with him in them. I was more surprised, on closer inspection, to see that the pictures are in fact copies of my originals. These are pictures I have had, either in a file or hanging on my wall, for decades. I have only ever shown them to a couple of people, both Rudge enthusiast earlier this year.
I have known of this bike since childhood and often wondered what had happened to it; so to see it that it still exists is a delight and of course an even greater delight to see and hear it running. If you run it again please can you let know? I would love to be there.
Hi Peter, this is great to read things like this. If you message me at the channel I will put you in touch with the team - theclassicmotorcyclechannel@gmail.com
Correction, The "Old Motorcycle Fiasco" episode of Then Came Bronson was in Wyoming, not Montana. If you love motorcycles, this is a must! Rudge forever!
Well, well, well. It lives! Firstly a posthumous thank you to Brian for nudging this thing into safe keeping. And then a well done to Brooklands for marking the centenary, you may even be forgiven for not putting the split pin in the front brake shoe's pivot pin :-). I'd enquired the last 2 visits to B as to where the bike was. Since no one had heard of the bike at all I was a little worried it had vanished. It would be interesting to know what's inside the gearbox. Rudge gearboxes have a fair degree of common genes from 25 to 39. But the gear strength is the issue. Fine tooth gears from the mid 20s weren't strong enough to finish races (when single powered) according to some contemporary reports. '24 gearboxes are different to all later ones. But remain 4 speed. Before this? '22 and 3 saw 3 speed production gearboxes. But what, if anything, was done to it to sustain 70mph for 600 miles? Dunno. But you guys have the only example. Heres hoping Reynolds had a big box of dusty spares useless to all other Rudge's cos I dont see you finding spares anywhere else. It is known though that later 20s Rudge gearboxes do not have enough space under the gear train for stray teeth hence the pattern of holed cases. So a kinder clutch operation might be prudent. Mostly though; thanks for getting it going. A.
Thank you for your comments, The clutch is definitely at the top of our "to-do" list, certainly before we run it again. As you can see from some of the video it is not in good condition externally, being constructed of thin sections and we will have to be very careful dismantling it. The 3 speed box itself feels very sound. The front brake shoe now has a new split pin! BR Gareth
Very cool! Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
Jeez, that poor gearbox. Could have lowered that idle rather than crunching it into gear like that.
Awesome bike, would love to ride a 1000cc Rudge
Love it can't wait to see it in the collection.
Very fine work, lads!
Good work !
A fantastic machine and so fast 500 miles at an average of 75mph, wow! Would love to see it going fast, obviously no at Brookland's, if you could find someone brave enough to drive it. Nice to see that it doesn't look like a brand new bike, so many of these fine old machines are over restored and consequently ruined.
Yup. 75 mph average is quite impressive for that time, especially when you consider the safety gear - or lack thereof.
Fudge the Rudge! Worthington tools lineage? On the Tank.
So when you put the pedal to the metal you need to lubricate your piston and balls,,sounds correct,awsemome
Brilliant thing!
For gods sake brooklands is a national treasure it needs restored
At Brooklands. Is the machine now on display at the museum?
I am painting this Bike.
1st gear?
Beautiful bike! Still the wheels do not aline properly....
Is Rudge the same firm that made the bicycles?
I love it wish it went up to speed
I wonder how many people lost body parts in the exposed chain & sprockets over the years 😧
How many gears?
It has rim brakes!!!
Bob Dicker bike?
Yes Stu, it is. I hope to see it at Brooklands soon.
WE MADE EVERYTHING !!! An Englishman 😀g
Lots and lots of Loc Tite required . 🤷🏽♂️👍🏻
Cam Shaft Cam Sharrrft no. Crank shaft Crank sharrrrft no After arrrrfter no speak English
He IS speaking ENGLISH it's AMERICANS who butcher OUR language ..........
0:42 As american ones leaked oil, apparently british ones leaked both fuel and oil! 😂