A Gentlemans Rudge

[raleighnut]

oooh.... you was lucky there.

Yep it's rare to find a bike with them correctly installed, most people just keep winding the nut up til they're far too tight.

 

[biggs682]

Yep it's rare to find a bike with them correctly installed, most people just keep winding the nut up til they're far too tight.

Not tried the other side yet

 

[raleighnut]

Not tried the other side yet

Have faith grasshopper.

 

[biggs682]

Had an hour and half in the garage this morning .

This is what I am up against .

Chain case removable once I find the split link .

Rear hub after a quick scrape and wipe around with a wet wipe to find the date code.

The bottom bracket shell area after removing the first layer of grime .

 

[biggs682]

Just managed to find time to get the bike outside to look at the frame number and I think it's 265396R

The rear rim is getting there after this morning's session , some time with some wire wool would help .

The old Dunlop tyre on the front has inflate HARD as it's pressure rating.

 

[roadrash]

what date is on the rear hub , cant make it out on the photo

 

[biggs682]

what date is on the rear hub , cant make it out on the photo

56 is the year and 9th month

 

[roadrash]

61 years old.....its nearly a pensioner, I love to see older bikes still being used

 

[biggs682]

61 years old.....its nearly a pensioner, I love to see older bikes still being used

Its not in use yet but hopefully will be having a ride around the cul de sac once the chain and crank go back on later this week , so i can decide then to do anymore work on it or sell as a project

 

[simongt]

Admire the individuality of cycle builders back in the day; in this case the Rudge hand symbol incorporated into the chainwheel.
Had a Rudge Clubman once handed down from my big bro when he went into the Navy. But this was a post Raleigh takeover model.

 

[midlife]

Hercules was my favourite

 

[biggs682]

Well it's official I have just had my first ride on a Rudge . Ok only about half a mile but it's had a ride and even though the bottom bracket has more play than needed and a headset that is very stiff it actually ride's ok .

Just need to sort a couple of more gears and add some fresh grease

 

[biggs682]

A bit more progress this morning , on the work stand we now have 3 gears so hopefully they will still be there on the road .

Had to improvise a funnel to fit the oil port so I could put some fresh oil in the hub .

And then pulled the headset down and left as much of it as I could soaking in paraffin to help soften the crusty residue before I clean and rebuild with some fresh grease later.

 

[Illaveago]

It's coming on. The chroming was done properly in those days with a copper base layer so it should have lasted, especially when it was protected by all that grime.
It's the same year as my Scot.
I was just wondering if the nuts and bolts were Whitworth sizes?

 

[biggs682]

It's coming on. The chroming was done properly in those days with a copper base layer so it should have lasted, especially when it was protected by all that grime.
It's the same year as my Scot.
I was just wondering if the nuts and bolts were Whitworth sizes?

Yeah we are getting there slowly , i think the fun will start when i start to strip the bottom bracket down

Spanners used so far have all been from my selection of old bike related spanners that i have picked up over years although i have used an 11mm or 7/16th on some of the nuts i have undone .

Very true re the chroming being ok just a shame that the crank has lost it although being an enclosed one i am not sure it was chromed to start with , and yes its the same age as your Scot which is amazing to think they are 50+ years old and still capable of being used .

Mine will never win a concurs award but as long as i can get it mobile and useable that is my aim , i do have a nice set of vintage 22.2mm dia drop bars i might drop on and see if they feel right or just keep them for a more worthy cause .