Classic & Vintage - 1948 Rudge Whitworth roadster !

Got a message from a buddy who had seen an ad for an old bicycle that he thought I might be interested in with a contact number...

Just got off the phone after chatting with a nice fellow who has a complete but in need of restoration 1946-47 Rudge Whitworth roadster that he would like to see go to a good home rather than end up as a lawn ornament.

I will be that good home.

I'm stoked as he is going to be bringing the bike by the shop for me tonight and I might just have to post a few pictures for y'all.

Yes... this is just a teaser.

:D

Found a pic at where else... Bike Forums.

This is pitcanary's 1939 restored Rudge roadster...I hope he does not mind me posting it.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h208/markdhudson/RudgeWhitworthrestored1.jpg

How can you be so lucky? Oh, never mind, it's a rhetorical question.

Speaking of old Rudges... there's an interesting (but to me, not tempting) item on ebay now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=150235363886&Category=420&_trksid=p3907.m29

rhm - That is pretty heartbreaking to see... I can deal with a little rust but those poor bikes look like they've spent their lives parked by the seaside.

I have to be thankful for our dry climate here as it seems to preserve old bicycles fairly well.

How can you be so lucky? Oh, never mind, it's a rhetorical question.

Speaking of old Rudges... there's an interesting (but to me, not tempting) item on ebay now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=150235363886&Category=420&_trksid=p3907.m29

The ad says they are restorable..........they look gone to me, but I'm new to this. Can they actually be restored? Would they be worth it?? If it is a sentimental issue and there is $$ to burn; maybe.......

That is some pretty extreme corrosion and since bikes also rust from the inside the tubing may be severely compromised.

We do get some bikes like this at our shop and quite a few of them end up as lawn/garden ornaments since we cannot trust they they will be structurally sound.

One would have to be able to personally inspect these bikes to see how bad things really are.

How can you be so lucky? Oh, never mind, it's a rhetorical question.

Speaking of old Rudges... there's an interesting (but to me, not tempting) item on ebay now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=150235363886&Category=420&_trksid=p3907.m29

Those look to be in very bad shape. I would suspect quite a bit of money would go into restoring those bikes. A real shame, too.

East Hill

Pretty much worth it only if you are willing to sandblast/beadblast the frame and forks, repaint them, then have all the salvageable brightwork (bars, crankset, small fittings) blasted just the same, and re-plated. Still leaves you stuck digging up two sets of period Westwood 28" rims.

Cheaper to have some decent examples of the same era shipped on over from England.

P.S.: Everyone selling rusty "antiques" will claim they're restorable.

-Kurt

Well... the fellow with the Rudge could not make it due to a call out for work so we'll be making plans to hook up in the next few days.

He did say the bike was ride-able.

So we all have to wait.

:)

Picture of the first bike on the eBay listing is just like the one I found on the side of the road once. It was deemed by me as a total loss, so after taking the chain ring, my friend took it and put it in her garden :)

I've always thought that decaying in a garden would be a fine and suitable end................

"And when I die don't bury me
In a box in a cemetery
Out in the garden would be much better
Where I could be pushin' up home grown tomatoes".....................Guy Clark..........

Speaking of Rudge roadsters, I took the '79 Curacao-export DL-1 out for a new photo shoot for this thread - figured I'd get Sixty Fiver all geared up in the Rudge spirit:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/rudge_79dl1_041708_1a.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/rudge_79dl1_041708_4.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/rudge_79dl1_041708_2.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/rudge_79dl1_041708_3.jpg

-Kurt

Kurt did you get a new camera or something? your new pics are sweet.

Oh my god that is beautiful !

Kurt did you get a new camera or something? your new pics are sweet.

Yes, but I purchased it quite a while ago. Canon PowerShot A620 (I believe East Hill can tell you some nice things about 'em).

The trick wasn't so much about the camera as to find just the right lighting and background (and taking 50 photos in various configurations until you find just the perfect one). The oversized photo helps as well, especially if you are running a large-resolution monitor - I'm at 1280x1024.

I still don't care for the background in the two "full" photos above, but the true Rudge Maroon color came out quite better then this shot. One might as well photograph a black DL-1 in this type of lighting:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/rudge_79dl1_041708_5.jpg

-Kurt

P.S.: For comparison, here is a (sobering) photo taken with my previous camera - on the Rudge's first day of arrival. Flash made the photo worse then it is. One of the H/P 2.1MP series.

http://www.jaysmarine.com/1979Rudge.jpg

And yes, that is a severely bent front fork.

-Kurt

You are killing me here dude.

:D

Care to have a look at the AG 3-speed + dynohub? :lol:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/rudge_79dl1_041708_6.jpg
Get a close look at the lettering on the tire while you're at it.

Excuse the dust. The Rudge doesn't leave the indoors for more then three times a year, usually - not often for it to have lots of the white fluffy stuff all over it.

-Kurt

P.S.: For comparison, here is a (sobering) photo taken with my previous camera - on the Rudge's first day of arrival. Flash made the photo worse then it is. One of the H/P 2.1MP series.


And yes, that is a severely bent front fork.

-Kurt

Do you have the little cover for the chaincase? Want one? I have a maroon chaincase from a BSA. If you promise to send it back if the color match doesn't work, you can have it. (I'd hate to break up the set for no reason.)

Do you have the little cover for the chaincase? Want one?

Been missing since I got it. Don't tell me you have one in Rudge Maroon... :eek:

(could use either - I'm missing a black one on one of my '51 Raleighs)

-Kurt

It's BSA maroon, from maybe the late 50s? I have the the whole chaincase, but I'll part it out if the color works for you. It's way old/dirty, so who knows how it will look if you polish it up.

Send me your address. My email is mark (at) sciencemonster.net

Email sent.

-Kurt

That's a beauty, Kurt. Makes me want to leave work right now and go home and take my 3 spd. for a spin.

That's a beauty, Kurt. Makes me want to leave work right now and go home and take my 3 spd. for a spin.

Same here - gives you the desire to take your Raleigh out on a scavenger hunt to locate unloved 3-speeds, eh?

-Kurt

Not to bump an old thread, but how did the Rudge go, Sixty Fiver?

-Kurt

Yes, but I purchased it quite a while ago. Canon PowerShot A620 (I believe East Hill can tell you some nice things about 'em).


I had not noticed this until now--but yes, I do like my Canon PowerShot A620. I'm not as good as Kurt with the photos, but it's a nice, easy to use camera.

So, Sixty Fiver, what happened with the Rudge?

East Hill

Might see it later today although the heavy snow might make travel a little perilous.

...although the heavy snow might make travel a little perilous.

Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor dark of night shall prevent a vintage bike enthusiast from saving a noble steed from extinction!

;)

-Kurt

Bump...

It is on it's way.

:D

Bump...

It is on it's way.

:eek: GAAAHH!!! - you're driving me nuts. I ought to take the Paramount out for a spin in the meantime...

-Kurt

30 minutes...tops.

Pictures have been taken...

Well...I'm disapointed.

It's a 1948.

OKay... I'm over that.

Buckle up.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgebarsrear.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgebarsfront.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgedunlop1.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgedunlop2.jpg

Working on the next set... :D

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgeback.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgefront.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgeleftside.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudge45front.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgeside.jpg

Wow... it's even better than I expected.

The frame looks to be in fine shape although the paint on it and the fenders is pretty oxidized, all the parts are there, the brakes work really well although they are going to need some serious polishing and possibly need some re-plating.

The rear wheel (the hoop) is toast as it is really badly rusted although the spokes are shiny (stainless?) and this does not worry me as I happen to work in a little shop that has replacement hoops as well as a good stock of SA wheel nuts, indicator spindles, and the like.

The saddle is in rideable condition although there are some cracks at the rear rivets and the best thing is that I can stand over the bike (barely) and should be able to take it out for a spin once I pick up some new tyres and tubes, replace the shifter cable and some hardware.

The badges are really worn although you can still see the beautifully scripted "Rudge Whitworth" on the chain guard and I know someone who can restore this for me.

Oh...lets not forget that chain wheel... Sianelle will love this.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948Rudgechainwheel.jpg

It's not just Sianelle who loves those chainwheels :) .

That looks to be in very good shape, actually.

We may all have to come and visit you one day :) .

East Hill

I do have bikes to fit nearly anyone here... :)

Very very nice.:D Dynohub and DBU, very flash. Now you just need to get a taillight lens and your good to go.:D

I took my Humber Sports on a ride yesterday. I forgot that the light was on for about the first 30km of a 40km ride. The dynohub doesn't make any noise and didn't seem to slow me down, but the uphill into a headwind did.:D

That's it? ;) :p

Nice, nice find - complete with Dunlop rubber saddle, eh? Doesn't even appear to be in need of much work, save for that rear rim. 40h, I gather?

Take some Meguiars Scratch X to the paint - should do it wonders.

-Kurt

I also love the old Rudge bikes. I have 4 of them, 1946 Rudge Aero the first year of the Aero model, 1952 Rudge De-Luxe Super Safety Tourist 4 speed dyno hub, 1953 Rudge De-Luxe Super Safety Tourist 4 speed dyno hub with Coronation transfer, 1952 or 53(cannot remember what is on the hub) Rudge Ulster Sports in need of reastoration.
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/BritishBikes001.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/BritishBikes002.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/BritishBikes003.jpg

These 2 1958"s were on Ebay, they may be the nicest late 50's bike there is.
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/c267_1.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/bf6d_1.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/bf0f_1.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/d755_3.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/a37c_3.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/5695_3.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/7103_3.jpg

oldy - Thoise are beautiful bikes and eventually I hope to have mine looking that pristine.

I oiled up the hubs, the bb, and the chain, installed a new indicator spindle and cable, and put air in the tyres and then of course had to take a little spin around the block which has convinced me a longer ride is in order.

Everything is spinning as smooth as silk.

Wow.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/7103_3.jpg

Beauty! Never seen it before. Gorgeous.

Curious though - was the 1958 date confirmed? The lugs are most certainly of the post-TI design, which would date it after 1960. I wish there was a closeup of the headlugs to identify whether they are the transitional (which I would assume to be the case with this machine) variant, or the final design that was adopted in '63/4.

-Kurt

This seems like a nice club to belong to... I went for a ride and had a coffee and had a number of people stop and ask about the bike and one fellow asked me if it was for sale... :)

In a word... it was superlative and I will ride it doen to the shop tomorrow to put on new tyres and if I have time, lace a new wheel to that rear hub.

A little more about the bike as I believe it has an interesting history...

When I was a kid I used to race home every day to watch a locally produced show (we had 2 channels then) called Popcorn Playhouse that was hosted by a fellow named Eric Nevel... a high point in a kid's life would have been getting to appear on that show. I remember his horn rimmed glasses and string tie and to us, he was a god.

He passed away about 20 years ago.

The fellow that gave me the bike said that he acquired it when it was donated to a charity shop and that it had belonged to a guy that used to do a live kid's show on CFRN Television... it had to be Eric Nevel and Popcorn Playhouse.

Sadly...there are very few episodes of this show in existence as the station used to tape over the old programs and probably never thought a bunch of middle aged folks would be interested is seeing them some 30 plus years down the road.

So... I might be riding god's bike.

:D

Kurt
The Rudge was on Ebay and he posted the hub date of 1958. The bike sold for a high amount but concidering the condition it should fetch that much. Here is the Ebay add. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270228638245&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017
The blue ladies was on Ebay last year and the hub date was also 1958.
Here is a mid 50's Pathfinder that was on Ebay last year. Also very nice.
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/66f7_1.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/The%20Herd/5cae_1.jpg
I am going on the Lake Pepin 3 Speed Tour again this year. I hope to ride the 53 Rudge De-Luxe if I can get it ready by next week.

Cleaned her up a little... have ridden her wonderful 60 km since Sunday and can't say that I have ever ridden a nicer bicycle than the Rudge.

I salvaged a really nice Dunlop hoop (circa 1940) the other night and hope to get it laced up to the rear hub pretty soon.

"Rudge it, don't trudge it".

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948rudgebarsnew.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948rudgebench.JPG

Howdy, Rudgemeisters. I followed 65er`s link over from another forum to check out all the beauties you`ve got here. Sure are some nice ones! I`m left with a question though- what`s the short cylinder stuck onto the front of the seat tubes on some of these bikes? Just wondering.

Howdy, Rudgemeisters. I followed 65er`s link over from another forum to check out all the beauties you`ve got here. Sure are some nice ones! I`m left with a question though- what`s the short cylinder stuck onto the front of the seat tubes on some of these bikes? Just wondering.

Dry battery unit. Fits 3 "D" cell batteries to power the headlight when stopped, and the componentry within it allows the Dynohub to take over once they've come up to sufficent speed for the dynohub to power the lamp itself.

-Kurt

rodar y rodar - Good to see you found the way over here.