rollin

Folks

Would anyone here be able to shed some light on this bicycle for me?

My google-fu is weak on this. Just some reference sites or opinions.

It was posted for sale on a local board for USD550. I'm guessing it's not a restoration project (which I would have preferred) but it does look great. Any thoughts; opinions, what should I be looking for etc. would be appreciated.

Ad was:

(Unique)custom built and restored 1950s single-speed 'Rudge Whitworth' Roadster.

Bike is running on 28inch tires, nos coaster hub, saddle, crank set, pedals & tires. Frame size is approx 53.5cm (matt black & chrome)

cudak888 

Looks like someone got their hands on a double-top-tube Rudge DL-1, chromed it, painted part of it, and mated it with a 27" fork that had its rake cold set to a sharper angle to accommodate the larger wheel.

It is an expensive, over-done piece of attempted wall-art, if you ask me.

-Kurt

bbattle

Looks really fancy. Like a Pashley Guv'nor with chrome. You could flip the handlebars for a more upright ride. Replace the seatpost with one with no setback. Might be just the thing for tooling around Singapore if you avoid the hills. Here in the States, the bike would be considered overdone and overpriced but the market there could be quite different. I would assume so.

Rudge cranks had a "hand" design in them.


https://singapore.gumtree.sg/c-Stuff-...AdIdZ119417315

Charles Wahl

I'll dissent from cudak888's "sour grapes" -- I think it's oh-so-cool. I wouldn't buy it without inspecting it personally, though.

gamecat

I would agree that it's a bit of an art project, but I wouldn't dismiss it as wall art. It's ridable art. I wouldn't buy it as primary transportation, but if you would enjoy owning it and riding it, then why not?

Now, if I had ~$600 burning a hole in my pocket, that's not the bike I'd buy. But that's a different question.

ozneddy

aw c,mon guy,s lets admit it,it looks awesum !

Road Fan

I'm with Charles Wahl, it's very cool, very rideable! It just needs a front brake to be good for the street. And IF it is retro-like art and ridable, why not add a brake?

Those silvery areas on the frame look more like aluminum than chromed steel to me - can this be an early aluminum frame? Can it be a Caminargent?

gamecat

The seller and OP specified it started life as a Rudge roadster.

Probably more or less like this one.




although the lugs and rear make one wonder (not to mention the double top tubes)....

rollin

Thank you all for your comments. It does appear to be ridable art rather than restored bike. I was looking at a Pashley Guv'nor as a weekend bike, if this comes close then I might take the plunge. It won't be my primary bike by a long shot and I will be under no illusion that I am riding a "true restoration" but it does look good to me.

Thank you all again for your thoughts.

cudak888 

Oh, no doubt, it is "cool" - but it is, just the same, a kludge that isn't worth $550. Now if it had the original fork, I'd be far more accepting of it - but this high-ten piece manhandled into position doesn't cut the mustard.


But not like the one in your photo there - that is a Rudge Sports. This thing is obviously based around a 28" DL-1 frame (slack angles, rear-facing ends, bolt-on seatstays) such as this '79 Rudge Export:



-Kurt

mickey85

That thing is sexy as hell! I'd kill for an old Rudge or Raleigh like that! mmmmm...

kingfish254

I came across a 1940-50s Rudge Whitworth Sports 3 speed with front dyno hub similar to the one above. It appears to be complete except for a light. It has an aged Brooks saddle. As near as I can tell it just needs a little cleanup and maybe some minor tuning. I am still haggling with the seller. Does anyone have an idea of what is a fair price for one of these?

YoKev

Similar to the one above, I paid $150 for a near mint model...as damn mint as a 1951 can be.

cudak888 

We have a valuation forum for these questions:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage-bicycles-whats-worth-appraisals/

EDIT: I see you located the forum.

-Kurt