A British motorcycle company founded back in 1894 was known as Rudge Witworth Cycles. This motorcycle company was founded based on the merger of two different bicycle manufacturers and at first they only produced bicycles. It would not be until 1911 when this company would start to produce their own line of motorcycles. Production of the motorcycle lines continued until 1946, when it was forced to close after fighting through the entire depression of the 1930s.
Although the company did not start producing their own line until 1911, they were retagging a line of Werner motorcycles as their own as far back as 1909. The first motorcycle featured a single cylinder 500 cc engine and by 1912 they had changed designs to feature a belt driven 490 cc engine. This 1912 version featuring multi-cylinder pursues the national single cylinder.
In 1912 and 1913, the Rudge Witworth motorcycle company would produce many Isle of Man TT winning motorcycles. By the time 1915 rolls around their already up to a 1000 cc engine, which was produced well into the 1920s. This 1000 cc engine also featured a four speed gearbox, which was a means to replace the previous gearbox which they had been utilising till that point.
This motorcycle company produced various different performance and racing motorcycles right throughout the 1920s, and well into the 1930s. The motorcycles had a lot of victories in the Isle of Man TT races in the early 1930s, as well as a 1929 Ulster Grand Prix win.
Due to the heavy stress of the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Rudge Witworth motorcycle company was forced to stop production of their various dirt-bike lines. They also had to put an end to their TT motorcycle lines, and even had to downgrade their Ulster models. By 1935, the last motorcycle this company was ever to produce was a 250 cc motorcycle. This motorcycle would be produced from 1933 when the company was forced to close their door due to lack of sales.
These motorcycles are considered to be a highly sought after collectable item.
Original Authors: Nicholas
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 03/06/2008
