Beschreibung:

The full potential of Rudge’s four-valves-per-cylinder design 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’ sports 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. The current owner bought this Rudge Special around eight years ago from Ernie Lessiter, who had owned it for the preceding 25 years. Extensively shown by the vendor, the machine has been a regular prize-winner and once featured on the front cover of Classic Bike magazine. Benefiting from a recent ‘de-coke’, new needle roller bearings in gearbox and a carburettor reconditioned by recognised specialist, Martyn Bratby, the machine is offered with current road fund licence and Swansea V5C registration document.