Finding a Rudge

[Castrophony]

...in Australia!

Hi Everyone,

I've been digging in the family archives, and after finding photos of a grandad I never met astride a Rudge, I felt compelled to try and locate the machine and I need some help in doing this

I also unearthed some other information as well as some well-preserved documents including the original invoice and workshop manual.

The information so far:

The bike is a 1936 500cc Rudge Special (registration BFJ 544), engine # S4241
bought from Len Born of Exeter Devon by one Thomas Hancock on March 6th 1936 for £63.10(!!!!)  fitted with Ulster and pillion saddles.
Fitted with sidecar (unknown make), possibly no longer attached.
Last known to be kept in Newton Poppleford in Devon (by a farmer, unceremonously ferrying hay bales around in the outfit!).
My mother was informed by someone in the early 80's that it had been exported to Australia (not confirmed).
A serach on the DVLA register shows no results on the registration.

I hope someone SOMEWHERE has seen/owned/sold/transported this bike at some point, and if you have ANY information which may help, I will be indebted to you!

I haven't got membership to the Rudge Enthusiasts Club GB, if there are any members here, please could you ask around amongst friends or have a look on the machine register on the site (I'm a student and £20 membership is a LOT of CX500 parts!!!) for ANY details.

Finally, I thoroughly welcome ALL advice on how I can find this bike, its a matter of interest not only to myself but also my mother and her sisters as they grew up with this bike and would love to know if it is still about!

Please do get in touch,

Simon

[m3bobby]

Hi mate,

The bike is now in Australia, it was placed on the Rudge club register in 1982. The engine number you gave isn't quite right for the sequence, that number would make it a 1937 engine, however, S2441 would fit so it could be a mistake.

The other info I can tell you is that it was frame number 56684 and it now has engine S114 fitted (unless that is also a mistake) There is a photo and further info held at the club (I'm not sure how to access these) and I don't think it has a sidecar anymore as there is no SC abreviation mentioned (SC is present when one is fitted).

As a note of intrest, my own 1936 Rudge Special is frame number 56747, engine number S2446 registration number BRM 116.

I'll contact the club and see what they can do.

my email is m3bobby(remove for spam)@hotmail.com

hope this of use.

Cheers, Chris.