BEN’S BOXES OF BITS
STEP 1 THE BIG SORT-OUT
The first thing to do was empty all the boxes, sort through everything and lay it out in lumps. There’s more space to do this in the garden; makes a great autojumble stall,eh?
STEP 7 ON THE CASES
Good primary chaincases are rare – my ones had to come all the way from Australia! Ben’s, once again, are in perfect condition, suggesting that the bike has had a fairly easy life.
STEP 13 GUARDED OPTIMISM
And how about this rear chainguard? Replicas are available, but this original is like new. Made from soldered and riveted tin-plated steel, bedroom storage has preserved it very well!
STEP 2 THE NAMING OF PARTS
By packing everything in labelled bags, the late owner did the right thing. I downloaded a parts list from Colin Chapple’s very helpful – and free – Rudge technical site rudge-whitworth.com
STEP 8 A QUICK BRUSH-UP
Rudge specified a Miller three-brush dynamo; these have a reputation for being temperamental. This one looks good, but we may consider an upgrade for Ben’s regular use.
STEP 14 I’LL GET MY COAT
Another unusual Rudge feature is the celluloid coating on the handlebars. Not sure how you’d recreate this thick, plasticised finish in a restoration – these’ll go back on as they are.
STEP 3 GETTING TANKED UP
Good, original petrol tanks are difficult to obtain, but this one is in superb condition and dent-free. Holes in the side are for knee-grips and an optional hand gearchange setup.
STEP 9 READING THE MAG
Rudge BTH magnetos have the ignition advance housing above (instead of alongside) the points cap. Although a bit stiff, this is the right mag and complete – but it’ll need checking.
STEP 15 OIL TOGETHER NOW
The oil tank is the only item that’s still wearing its original paint; you can just make out the shadow of the oil grades transfer. Rudge fitted an internal felt filter inside the oil tank.
STEP 4 UNKNOWN SOLDIER
The engine is an unknown quantity; still complete, it appears to have been lifted straight out of the bike, but whatever it needs at least we know it’s complete. Most wearing parts are available.
STEP 10 EXHAUSTION
I suspect that these exhausts are Rudge copies which date from when the bike was last on the road – they are a bit past it and Ben wants to fit a pair of fishtails anyway.
STEP 16 ROAD TO NO WEAR
The wear on a rear brake pedal is something I always use as a clue to how much work a bike is done. Here you can see that the serrations are very clear, pointing to a low mileage bike.
STEP 5 OUTSIDE THE ’BOX
The gearbox also appears undisturbed and externally very good. It will need to be stripped and checked, but the good news is that the shell and both cover numbers match correctly.
STEP 11 BOWLED OVER
Another rare part – original Miller headlights are very sought after, although Indian replicas are now available. A dented rim, broken ammeter and missing glass are the issues here.
STEP 17 PLAQUE IN TIME
Rattling about in the bottom of one box were the original cycle pump and this selling dealer plate from Chas W Boreham. I’ll ring Chelmsford 269 and see if he has any spares...
STEP 6 GOING CLUTCH
Like the gearbox, the clutch is Rudge’s own – and significantly different to other bikes. Some clutch parts are hard to find – luckily for him, Ben’s is not only complete but in good condition.
STEP 12 MUDDY FUNSTER
Rudge mudguards are apparently very difficult to find. Apart from a small crack in the rear, Ben’s are in perfect condition with virtually no corrosion at all after eighty years of existence.
STEP 18 THE NUMBERS GAME
Wow, the original mid-’30s Smiths-jaeger pin-drive speedo shows under 30,000 miles, and the condition of the rest of the bike bears it out. I reckon Ben’s done very well indeed!