Rudge Ulster
Encyclopedia
The Rudge Ulster was a British motorcycle
manufactured by Rudge-Whitworth from 1929 until the outbreak of World War II.
Rudge-Whitworth's last production racing motorcycle was named after Graham Walker's 1928 race win in the Ulster Grand Prix
, the first time a road race had been won at over 80 mph (35.8 m/s). Graham was the father of racing commentator Murray Walker
and was made Rudge Sales Manager in 1929. His win was particularly welcome as he had been unlucky in the Isle of Man TT
on the same motorcycle two months earlier, when he narrowly lost the Senior TT race due to oil flow problems on the last lap.
Originally developed as a racing prototype, the production model was essentially a race replica. Various modifications and improvements were made over the ten years of production. Early models had a 'pent roof' four valve head, with two pairs of valves operating on parallel slopes like a 'pitched roof', which was replaced in 1932 with a radial four valve head and an option of a foot operated gear change. This foot pedal operated both the front and rear brakes, with a hand lever also operating the front brake. With a top speed of over 90mph, the Rudge Ulster was advertised as "probably the fastest 500cc motorcycle in production".
1933 was the era of the Great Depression
and Rudge were struggling to make the sales needed to further develop the Ulster and went into receivership, but in 1936 Gramophone Co. Ltd. (later to become HMV
then EMI
), who were a major creditor, took over and resurrected the Rudge Ulster and moved production to their works in Hayes, Middlesex
in 1937. The valve gear, which ad always been exposed to the elements was sorted out in 1937, when a cast alloy cover was added - although the bronze cylinder head remained until it was replaced with a light alloy example in 1939. Production ended with the outbreak of the Second World War
, when EMI had to put all their resources into the manufacture of Radar
and electronic equipment for the war effort. From the days of the Gramophone Company, EMI, had had a policy of diversifying productions into other fields, like typewriters, as a strategy to avoid downturns and recessions.
Senior race, Handley winning at a record speed of 74.24 mph (33.2 m/s) with Graham Walker coming second, Smith 6th and Nott 7th, winning the Team Prize for Rudge.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
manufactured by Rudge-Whitworth from 1929 until the outbreak of World War II.
Development
Ulster Grand Prix
The Ulster Grand Prix is a motorcycle road race that takes place on the Dundrod Circuit near Belfast, Northern Ireland. The first races took place in 1922 and in 1935 and 1948 the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme gave it the title Grand Prix d'Europe...
, the first time a road race had been won at over 80 mph (35.8 m/s). Graham was the father of racing commentator Murray Walker
Murray Walker
Graeme Murray Walker, OBE is a former Formula One motorsport commentator...
and was made Rudge Sales Manager in 1929. His win was particularly welcome as he had been unlucky in the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
on the same motorcycle two months earlier, when he narrowly lost the Senior TT race due to oil flow problems on the last lap.
Originally developed as a racing prototype, the production model was essentially a race replica. Various modifications and improvements were made over the ten years of production. Early models had a 'pent roof' four valve head, with two pairs of valves operating on parallel slopes like a 'pitched roof', which was replaced in 1932 with a radial four valve head and an option of a foot operated gear change. This foot pedal operated both the front and rear brakes, with a hand lever also operating the front brake. With a top speed of over 90mph, the Rudge Ulster was advertised as "probably the fastest 500cc motorcycle in production".
1933 was the era of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and Rudge were struggling to make the sales needed to further develop the Ulster and went into receivership, but in 1936 Gramophone Co. Ltd. (later to become HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
then EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
), who were a major creditor, took over and resurrected the Rudge Ulster and moved production to their works in Hayes, Middlesex
Hayes, Hillingdon
Hayes is a town in the London Borough of Hillingdon, West London. It is a suburban development situated west of Charing Cross. Hayes was developed in the late 19th and 20th centuries as an industrial locality to which residential districts were later added in order to house factory workers...
in 1937. The valve gear, which ad always been exposed to the elements was sorted out in 1937, when a cast alloy cover was added - although the bronze cylinder head remained until it was replaced with a light alloy example in 1939. Production ended with the outbreak of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when EMI had to put all their resources into the manufacture of Radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
and electronic equipment for the war effort. From the days of the Gramophone Company, EMI, had had a policy of diversifying productions into other fields, like typewriters, as a strategy to avoid downturns and recessions.
Racing success
As well as Walker's 1928 Ulster Grand Prix win, in the same year Ernie Nott secured the world two hour record at over 100 mph (44.7 m/s) on the Rudge and set further records in 1929. In 1930, under the guidance of team boss George Hack, Nott, Walker, Smith and Wal L. Handley were on Rudge 500 cc motorcycles for the Isle of Man TTIsle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
Senior race, Handley winning at a record speed of 74.24 mph (33.2 m/s) with Graham Walker coming second, Smith 6th and Nott 7th, winning the Team Prize for Rudge.