THE WAY WE WERE
This month we dedicate these pages to the famous old Midlands marque’s motorcycles and owners
You can’t budge for Rudges in this month’s nostalgia fest
#1
I HAVE BEEN meaning to send in these pictures for ages and hope they provoke some interest. The one below is of my mum and dad (Arnold and Frances) aboard their pride and joy – a Rudge Ulster (with a bronze head). It was taken between 1947-53; my sister arrived in 1953 and a sidecar was added, then I came along a little later. Mum is still with us (at 92), but sadly dad passed away in 2007. The Rudge was written off when parked, minding its own business in a Peterborough street; it was hit by a drunk driver and was beyond repair The second picture shows dad standing by ‘The Bigger Banger’. For many years, he worked for/ alongside Bill Bailey in Forest Road, Walthamstow. Bill was a Rudge enthusiast and financed the building of this 998cc V-twin – a one-off, last known by me to be in the ownership of a leading member of the Rudge Club. Dad’s years at Bill Bailey’s were many and varied; regular visitors there included Graham Walker and son Murray. It was an Aladdin’s cave for Rudge enthusiasts; I believe Bill may have been one of (if not the last) supplier of spare parts to Pride and Clarke.
After the Rudge was written off, dad resorted to a Cyclemaster and then an NSU Quickly for commuting to Tottenham, where he was foreman at Lane Engineering. He came home to lunch every day and I used to wait for him a few streets from home so that he could pick me up. I would sit on the carry rack of the Quickly and ride home – no helmets, no risk assessment, but such fun! Eventually, the Quickly gave way to a Honda. I inherited the motorcycle bug – and, although in my 60s, I look forward to many more years of riding. I also spend far too much time and money buying and restoring Honda CXS – it’s good fun and so rewarding. I do not have the engineering skills that my dad had, but gain great satisfaction from what I achieve, nonetheless.
Love the magazine. There is not a word left unread each month.
Bob Dewdney, Cambridgeshire
#2
You previously helped me to identify a Norton model 18 that my nan was sitting on and I’d like to ask for your help again, please. The attached picture is of my maternal grandfather (my nan’s husband) Noel Jones on his Rudge Ulster. He was born on December 25, 1912 and we guess he was around 20 or so in this picture. I assume the bike is Oxford registered, but are you able to identify the year from the rest of the numbers on the plate, please?
Andrew Muggeridge
Hi Andrew, yes that works out at 1931 which (I think) was the year Rudge first put the magneto behind the cylinder and a dynamo at the front, as seen in the photo. I believe the chrome tank was an optional extra for that year. Noel must have been ‘Jack the Lad’ on that bike at 19! Cheers, Rick
#3
Can’t tell you much about this picture, other than that it was taken in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia between the wars. However, just thought you might find it amusing – riding pillion, sidesaddle, and wearing nothing more protective than a white dress wouldn’t go down too well with the safety brigade these days! Thanks to all the Classic Bike staff for maintaining the high standard of the magazine through what must have been a very difficult year. Geoff Blunt
Hi Geoff, thanks for sending the picture. The Rudge is quite an early model – these 499cc single-speeders started in 1911 and were followed soon after by the ‘Multi’ with its variable-speed drive. The height of the float chamber visible behind the rider’s legs suggests this bike is fitted with Rudge’s own ‘Senspray’ carburettor which took over from the lower-mounted Brown and Barlow carb from 1912, so I’d guess that’s the year of this bike. Riding attire has certainly changed – although you still see folk riding in T-shirts and shorts in the summer, so maybe not. All the best and glad you enjoy the magazine! Cheers, Rick