STRIKING NEW RUDGE FOURS.

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STRIKING NEW RUDGE FOURS.

THE Rudge-Whitworth 1928 programme shows that three different types of the 499 c.c. machine will be marketed. These are the Standard at :£46, the Special at E55, and the Sports at £60. An electric lighting set costs five guineas extra in each case.

The Standard machine is of similar lines to this year’s model, but the Special and Sports have been entirely redesigned. Four valves are used as in the past, but the exhaust ports are now set at 90 degrees instead of being parallel, and long pipes run to silencers which are located one on each side of the rear wheel. Each silencer then has a tail pipe with a large fish tail and the result is that whilst the exhaust note is clear and healthy it is too moderate to cause annoyance.

The engine has a bore and stroke of 85 x 88 mm. with a cubic capacity of 499 c.c. An aluminium alloy dome top piston is used with a fully floating gudgeon pin equipped with phosphor bronze end caps. Roller bearings are fitted to the mainshaft and big-end.

The most striking alterations are in the frame, tank and wheels. The latter now have internal expanding brakes, of large diameter and width, proportionally coupled together as in the past, so that one pedal applies both together. The brakes, incidentally, are of 8 in. diameter and 1-.1 in. width, and the braking surface is thus very much larger than is found on most motorcycles.

The frame has a special double top tube, connected by a central lug, on which fits a handsome saddle tank finished in black and gold. The oil and petrol tanks are now combined, the capacities being three pints and gallons respectively and the space on the seat tube formerly occupied by the oil tank is neatly filled by a metal tool-box. The specification includes a four-speed gearbox, shock absorbers, a steering damper, adjustable knee-grips, and twist grip or lever control to the carburetter. The Special machine has 26 x 3.25 in. tyres and 6 in. mudguards, the Sports model being equipped with 27 x 2.75 in. tyres and 5 in. guards. Lubrication is by means of a mechanical pump neatly housed in the timing box cover, only one external pipe being used. The Standard machine is capable of 60 m.p.h,, the Special of 70 m.p.h., and the Sports of 85 m.p.h., speeds which should satisfy the most enthusiastic of “roadburners.” On the latter machine two compression plates

are fitted below the cylinder, and these must be removed for the maximum speed to be obtained. When they are in place, the Sports model is docile and comfortable for touring, but even when they are removed it can be run with safety on a 50-50 petrol-benzol mixture, alcohol fuels being unnecessary. There is no doubt that the new Rudges are as sound in design and manufacture as in the past and their appearance is such that they should be extremely popular during the coming year.

SCORED CYLINDERS. Scores in cylinder bores can be filled in by Barimar Metallurgical (Patented) Process, to fit existing pistons and retinae.’ in two days under money-back guarantee, at low cost.—Bmtnika, Ltd. (Scientific Welding Engineers), 14-18, LAbia’S CoNourT STREET, LONDON, W.C.1. Branches in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds,N’ew castle-on-Tyne and Glasgow.

BIRMINGHAM MEDAL CO., Sunlmerhill Terrace, Birmingham. Specialities : Club medals, badges, pennants, trophies, cups, shields, advertising novelties, mascots, etc. Please write for lists and special designs.