Rudge 1925 349cc OHV 4-valve 4-speed with sidecanoe 3603

Description Rudge 1925 349cc OHV “Four valve 4-speed” with “sidecanoe” frame# 9741 engine # 5215 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQZflghS7cI The Rudge-Whitworth company was an established bicycle factory that entered motorcycle production in 1911. Their first machines were 499 cc IOE singles. They developed the famous Multi gear, with a possibility of up to 21 gear positions. By 1923 the Rudge F-head valve configuration had become outdated and general motorcycle sales had fallen sharply; it was time for Rudge to bring something entirely new. Triumph had had some success with its four valve Ricardo concept and Rudge decided this concept, coupled to the newly developed Rudge 4-speed gearbox, should bring success again. So for the 1924 season the factory introduced a new range of four valve singles, first a 349 cc model with bore and stroke of 70×90 mm and by the end of April a 499 cc machine (85x88mm). The lighter model was only catalogued in 1924 and 1925. The motorcycling public’s response to this new four-valve, four-speed model was enthusiastic and by the end of 1924 twice as many machines had been produced as in 1923. In the summer of 1924 a series of improvements was prepared and at the Olympia Show the 1925 models were presented with redesigned gearboxes and coupled front and rear brakes. The factory could now proudly boast “ four valves, four speeds, coupled brakes”. Successes on the racetrack and a new ‘200 miles in 2 hours’ world speed record helped to further boost sales, as did motorcycle dealer Stan Glanfield’s successful around-the-world trip on a Rudge combination, which today resides in the Coventry Motor Museum. 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. Various valve arrangements were tried across a variety of 250cc, 350cc and 500cc four-valve models as the range developed throughout the 1930s. Sadly, the marque did not re-emerge after WW2. In the 1926 Rudge catalogue we find a reference to the Rudge Canoe-Sidecar. For £40 you could become the owner of a 4-metre long Canadian canoe, strapped to a special sidecar chassis, made of flat laminated spring steel. The company advertised “To river lovers it gives great mobility and makes it possible to become acquainted with half the rivers in the country.” This combination was put together a number of years ago by Rudge enthusiast Dave MacMahon; the canoe strapped to the sidecar has been made in the correct vintage style and consists of a wooden frame clad with specially treated canvas. Paddles are included of course! The motorcycle was first registered on August 17, 1925 and, before coming to our premises, has had three owners from new, all in the Coventry area. She’s an older restoration and comes with Maglita-powered ignition and electric lighting. For further reading on the Rudge canoe (and caravan!) you can check out: https://thevintagent.com/2017/08/17/the-rudge-book-of-the-road/