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Post by nutandbolts on May 4, 2022 14:37:04 GMT
I have been messing with bikes for years, but having a near spill due to a car pulling out in front of me I do not ride anymore, I sold most of my bikes and started a new hobby, the bug was still there and I missed tinkering so I have just bought a project, it's a basket case Rudge 1939 autocycle, probably paid a bit too much but there are a few Bantam bits in the job lot which can be sold to reduce the outlay.
I have always fancied an autocycle to restore, now I have one, I will post some photo's later this week and join as a member from Burnley, Lancashire
I will need to pick your brains no doubt. I can't wait to get 'spannering' again.
Regards Larry
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Post by davwat on May 4, 2022 20:05:35 GMT
Welcome aboard. My latest acquisition was a 1941 Rudge. I had it running yesterday albeit with a temporary battery/coil and carburettor.
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Post by nutandbolts on May 5, 2022 16:53:03 GMT
Hi Davwat, thanks for the welcome, Nice with the original paint! mine is missing handlebars, chainguard and stand (so far!) have you any idea where to get a spares list and or instruction booklet? I think I have a villiers engine book. |
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Post by nutandbolts on May 5, 2022 18:42:31 GMT
I have added photo's to the above, a mammoth task, there are other boxes of bits probably most parts but some will be missing no doubt, but I have plenty of time now I am retired.
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Post by davwat on May 5, 2022 19:32:42 GMT
Hi Davwat, thanks for the welcome, Nice with the original paint! mine is missing handlebars, chainguard and stand (so far!) have you any idea where to get a spares list and or instruction booklet? I think I have a villiers engine book. I thought that was most probably the one you bought. I was slightly interested as the reg is close to my initials DJW. There was too many niggles that put me off but none so much as it being registered as "Villiers" good luck with DVLA trying to get that amended. Is the frame number clearly visible? I could be wrong but I don't think them forks were ever fitted to a Rudge originally!
The carb is not from an autocycle but does look to be in the box of bits. Hope none of the above has put you off and good luck with the refurb.
Unfortunately spares list are now 80 years out of date, it will be a case of finding second hand bits and pieces.
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Post by JamesCentral on May 6, 2022 8:13:19 GMT
have you any idea where to get a spares list and or instruction booklet? I think I have a villiers engine book. The Villiers book is the one to have. I've never seen an instruction book for the Rudge, though I guess there was one. But, like other autocycle books, it wouldn't tell you anything useful, it'd be more about how to ride it. I don't think any autocycle maker produced a workshop manual. Some did a spares list, but in many cases that's all it was - an unillustrated list. There might be pictures of the engine parts, but they'd be copies of what was in the Villiers book. |
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Post by nutandbolts on May 6, 2022 9:35:05 GMT
Thanks guys, it is registered as a 1939 manufactured (1983 registered) Rudge Whitworth on the v5c, but not registered as a historic vehicle yet, I probably will have to insure and tax it before I can do that. I have been doing a bit of research and production was re-located to the Norman factory in 39/40 as the Rudge factory switched to radar production, Maybe a Norman spares book maybe more available looking at photo's of both they look very similar, and the info says Norman used old Rudge stock with Norman stock to cobble together autocycle production bikes. HHmmmmm.
There is a spare engine with carb which may come in usefull + a bonus original Bantam D1 toolbox to sell which bring decent money.
I am in no rush with the re-build, I will probably start a dummy run assembly to see what bits are needed, before restoring anything.
Once again thanks for the replies
Larry
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Post by davwat on May 6, 2022 13:52:46 GMT
oops Ignore my comment about it being registered Villiers (that must of been something else I was watching) it was the V5 Frame number that was my concern.
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Post by nutandbolts on May 6, 2022 14:12:58 GMT
Hi Davwat, I see what you mean re forks, I think that will be a long search for some originals, looks like the wrong front mudguard too, but never mind, can't find a frame number yet but it is heavily painted black.
Back to the forks it has the handlebar stem and bearing cones, the sellers dad owned it with some other bikes, it may have had wrong forks on when he dismantled it, I will persevere with the ones I have to see if it all goes together ok with wheel clearance etc whilst searching for original bits.
I will start a new thread in projects as this is the intro thread and sign up as a member.
Larry
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Post by nutandbolts on May 6, 2022 14:56:08 GMT
Just one more bit info before I start new thread, I think I have discovered the fork mystery, a Raynal autocycle has this typ of fork arrangement, in the box of bits is a leaf spring, the headlight bracket with hole for the spring, and two circular friction plates Quote from a Raynal test ride 'When you sit on Raynal Deluxe (1664), and bounce up and down on the saddle, the frame visually sinks at the headset as the leaf fork springs, and the wheelbase extends! It's easy to imagine this riding sensation might be like being on a small boat in a gentle swell. Just appreciating the suspension is so different does make the first approach a little cautious, but the bounce effect can be controlled by regulating pressure on friction discs at the fork pivot, so may be tuned to suit the optimum damping. Attachments:
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Post by davwat on May 6, 2022 21:05:16 GMT
Just one more bit info before I start new thread, I think I have discovered the fork mystery, a Raynal autocycle has this typ of fork arrangement, in the box of bits is a leaf spring, the headlight bracket with hole for the spring, and two circular friction plates Quote from a Raynal test ride 'When you sit on Raynal Deluxe (1664), and bounce up and down on the saddle, the frame visually sinks at the headset as the leaf fork springs, and the wheelbase extends! It's easy to imagine this riding sensation might be like being on a small boat in a gentle swell. Just appreciating the suspension is so different does make the first approach a little cautious, but the bounce effect can be controlled by regulating pressure on friction discs at the fork pivot, so may be tuned to suit the optimum damping. That's good then that you have all the bits, I could see that it was some sort of pivot.
No reason why you shouldn't fit them to your Rudge.
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