Description
This motorcycle is Lot 280 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details. Auction Timings: Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026. Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026. Public Viewing: Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show). The Rex Judd Collection ** 1938/ 1939 Rudge 249cc Racing Motorcycle** Registration no. Unregistered Frame no. 63583 Engine no. Z686 Fabulous cobby 250cc Rudge racer * Long term Judd family ownership * Built by Gerry Turner, successful 250cc Rudge racer Rudge's 250cc models were highly regarded. As a result of the very difficult trading conditions caused by the Depression, in January 1933 the company decided to concentrate on the development of production machines, and there were to be no more works entered Rudges in the TT and other events. Despite this the Graham Walker Syndicate's privately entered 250cc Rudges achieved 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in 1934 Lightweight TT. In their 1935 roadtest of a 250cc Rudge Sports THE MOTORCYCLE concluded 'It is a delightful machine, capable of a first-class, all-round performance.' Rudge motorcycle production did not resume after the war, and in the years that followed the lack of available 250cc racebikes resulted in the creation of many specials based on pre-war machines, not least the very successful Pike Rudges. Quite apart from the long-term Judd family ownership of this bike, there is a genuine link between Rex Judd and 250cc Rudge race bikes. That link is the Pike brothers, Roland and Stan, who both worked at Rex Judd's dealership before the war, with Stan returning afterwards, and staying for the rest of his working life. In 1939 Rex Judd entered the Pike brothers and Ginger Wood on 250 Rudges in the Lightweight TT. Ginger Wood finished 9th and Stan Pike 11th with Roland Pike retiring. Rex Judd's support continued after the war with Stan Pike finishing 5th in 1947, and Roland Pike 2nd in 1948, 3rd in 1949, and 4th in 1950. A pre-condition of the 1947 support was that the Pikes must take Rex Judd's son, the then 15 year old Peter, to the Island with them: surely any 15 year old's dream! This Rudge was on display at Whitewebbs Museum in Enfield for many years with a placard stating that its last outing had been in the hands of John Hurlstone at Brands Hatch in 1989, and that it had been rebuilt by Gerry Tomer. Peter Judd tells us that "Tomer" was a transcription error: the motorcycle was most definitely rebuilt by Gerry Turner who had campaigned a 250cc Rudge with considerable success in the 1950s. We are indebted to Colin Chapple, VMCC Rudge marque specialist, for his great help with the cataloging of this cracking little Rudge. Colin commented: 'I have seen this bike a number of times in the museum...... It is a construct for sure. The frame is April 1938 and would have been a Rapid 2V with engine A16xx originally. The engine is a very late 2v Sports from 1939. The gearbox is Rudge, the oil tank is not. The timing cover is a Bailey cover which converts to rear magneto and would have a 3 point bolt on BTH magneto but this has not used that fixing and a fabricated platform has been added for the BTH platform magneto. Frame and wheels are 250cc but rims are alloy not steel. Petrol tank is almost certainly from the 250 Sports bike that donated the engine. Cylinder head doesn't have the expected Pike hairpin valves or alloy and looks a normal Rudge 2V head. If Gerry Turner did rebuild it then I would expect some decent internals to the engine & gearbox - probably a TTR camshaft and possibly a close ratio gearbox but who knows?' Details of the Rudge's exact engine specification are unknown. It is offered with an original Rudge instruction book, photocopies of a parts book, and press cuttings about the Pike brothers (some original and some photocopied). The engine turns over, but the motorcycle's mechanical condition is unknown, and following a long period in storage, recommissioning or possibly more extensive work will be required before once again taking to the track. Prospective bidders must satisfy themselves regarding the motorcycle's provenance, condition, age, completeness, and originality prior to bidding. Sold strictly as seen. Key not required. ** The Rex Judd Collection** Baby boomer and Gen X motorcyclists from the northwest London area will associate Rex Judd's name with the busy Edgware based motorcycle dealership. Earlier generations, sadly no longer with us, would have remembered Rex Judd the world famous motorcycle racer best known for his exploits at Brooklands in the 1920s. Born on Christmas Day 1899, during WW1 the young Rex served in the RFC which was of course integrated into the RAF. Afterwards, being a motorcycle nut, he hung around the...
