1907 New Hudson John O’Groats Path/Road Racer

 

1907-1910 New Hudson John O’Groats Road Racer

Sloping top tube

Wide Marsh handlebar

23″ Frame

26″ wheels

Racing pedals

Fixed wheel

Most New Hudson road racers were known as the J.O.G after William Welsh’s famous 1000 mile end-to-end ride. They were build as either path racers or fast road racers, though there was not much difference between the two. As New Hudson were keen to publicise their Armstrong three-speed gear at this time – one of the few competitors to Raleigh’s Sturmey-Archer 3-speed – road racers were often pictured as geared models, whereas this example is a fixed wheel model without brakes or gears.

As you can see from the period illustrations, some were shown with the same wide Marsh handlebar fitted to this J.O.G Racer. Wm Welsh used the same bars, though his 1000 mile machine had a brake with inverted lever.

The New Hudson patent eccentric chain adjuster at the rear dropout is slightly different from that illustrated in the 1907 New Hudson catalogue’s exploded view; I don’t know if that means it’s older or newer than 1907. The chainwheel is different, but it has been on there for a very long time; it’s a pattern used by Coventry Eagle and other makers in the early 1900s. The previous owner had the bike for over 30 years and says that’s how he bought it. I have a New Hudson chainwheel, but I’ve not changed it as I tend to keep bikes as I find them.

This J.O.G appears to have had a repaint many decades ago. It’s a lightweight fast racing machine in good all round condition, is fixed wheel without brakes, and rides well.

 

 

 

1907 NEW HUDSON CATALOGUE EXTRACTS

 

 

 

 

ECCENTRIC CHAIN ADJUSTMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1912 NEW HUDSON CATALOGUE EXTRACTS