LOT 757 - 1936 RUDGE 499CC SPECIAL

This motorcycle is to be auctioned at the Bonhams Summer Sale, The International Classic MotorCycle Show, Stafford , 2 - 4 July 2021
SALE TIMES
Friday 2 July
Collectors’ Motorcycles (Lots 1 - 127) Midday
Saturday 3 July
Spares and Memorabilia (Lots 201 - 551) 10am
Sunday 4 July
Motorcycles (Lot 601 - 811) 10am
VIEWING
Friday 2 July 9am to 5pm
Saturday 3 July 9am to 5pm
Sunday 4 July from 9am
ADMISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW
Admission is not included in the price of the catalogue. Tickets can be purchased in advance from classicbikeshows.com.
REGISTER TO BID
Bid online or via the Bonhams app. Register to bid online by visiting www.bonhams.com/26514
Contact our Client Services department on: [phone] or [e-mail]
COLLECTION OF PURCHASED LOTS
All purchased lots must be cleared from the sale venue by 7pm Sunday 4 July. Limited collection is available until 11am Monday 5 July, by appointment only, and purchasers must advise Bonhams Motorcycle Department via email no later than 7pm Sunday 4 July if they intend to collect Monday. Please email ukmotorcycles@bonhams. com with your collection or transport instructions as soon as possible following your successful bid. Failure to instruct Bonhams by the given time will result in your vehicle being uplifted to Moving Motorcycle’s Northamptonshire store at your expense. Buyers should satisfy themselves that they have collected all relevant logbooks, documents and keys relating to their Lot(s) at time of collection.
AUCTION ADDRESS
Bonhams
Sandylands Centre
Staffordshire County Showground
Weston Road
Stafford
ST18 0BD
GENERAL ENQUIRIES - GUIDE FOR BUYERS - BUYER CHARGES
Please contact Bonhams Motorcycles.
1936 RUDGE 499CC SPECIAL
REGISTRATION NO. JT 4918
FRAME NO. 55928
ENGINE NO. 5005
The full potential of Rudge's four-valves-per-cylinder design - introduced in 1924 - was slow to emerge but in 1928 Graham Walker's works 500 became the first motorcycle to win a road race - the Ulster Grand Prix - at an average speed in excess of 80mph, a feat which led to the introduction of the legendary 'Ulster' model. A variety of valve arrangements was tried across a range of 250, 350 and 500cc models, and by the mid-1930s had stabilised: the 500 Special employing a parallel layout and the Ulster a parallel/semi-radial combination. It should be noted that despite its name the Special was the touring 500, the Ulster being the sports version. Landmark developments included the enclosure of the valve-gear for 1937 and the switching of the gearchange lever from the left-hand to the right-hand side of the gearbox. A compact machine with a willing engine and powerful linked brakes, the 500 Special is a delight to ride and copes easily with present-day traffic conditions. Supplied by Huxhams of Bournemouth, this particular Rudge Special was acquired in the 1950s and ridden throughout that decade. Unused for many years, it is an older restoration that has acquired a nice patina of age. Re-commissioning and the customary safety checks will be required before returning the Rudge to the road. Accompanying documentation consists of an old-style continuation logbook (issued 1975) and a V5C document.
GBP8,000 - 10,000
€9,300 - 12,000