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Rudge 500 Ulster 1928

Only rarely has a motorcycle manufacturer who has limited himself to one type of engine gone down in history. This is the case with Rudge, however, perhaps the most famous motorcycle builder of the heroic age of motorcycle racing. The Rudge single-cylinder four-valve engine, built in 250-cc, 350-cc, and 500-cc. versions, won a host of victories. The first four-valve Rudge was a 500-cc. version built about 1925. It entered the most important races of the time on an experimental basis but was not a great success, because the general structure of the vehicle was not on the same level as the engine.

In 1928 the Rudge 500 was given a new look. It now boasted a good chassis, large-diameter drum brakes, and an even finer engine. Graham Walker rode this motorcycle to its first win at the Ulster track and lost the 1928 Senior Tourist Trophy only because of a banal accident.

Two years later the Rudge 500 reached the peak of its career. It won all the major European races in 1930, including the European Grand Prix. (Rudge also won in the 350 class.) In that year's Senior Tourist Trophy Rudge came in first and second. In the Junior Tourist Trophy Rudge motorcycles took the first three places. Rudge lost in the higher classes in 1931, but the new 250 triumphed at the Tourist Trophy.

Motorcycle: Rudge 500 Ulster Manufacturer: Rudge Whitworth, Coventry
Type: Racing Year: 1928
Engine: Rudge single-cylinder, four-stroke, distribution through four parallel overhead valves, rod and rocker. Displacement 499.3 cc. (85 mm. x 88 mm.)
Cooling: Air
Transmission: Four-speed separate
Power: About 33 h.p.
Maximum speed: About 105 m.p.h.
Chassis: Single cradle, tubular, open below. Front, parallelogram suspension
Brakes: Front and rear, side drum, with automatic simultaneous operation