1908 Rudge-Whitworth No 20 Special Light Roadster
No 72 Handlebar with inverted levers
27″ Frame
28″ Wheels
Frame no 508825
Rudge-Whitworth Model 101 saddle
Model No 741 toolbag with unique Rudge-Whitworth spanner
Divided Rubber pedals
(Now sold)
At this time, Rudge-Whitworth was the market leader in a very competitive industry. The company specialised in top quality lightweight bicycles, so their No 20 Special Light Roadster model was the equivalent of a road racer. The chap illustrated below on his ‘Special’ looks the sort who wouldn’t baulk at cutting up traffic. (Actually it’s Louis Bradfield, a stage actor and leading celebrity of the day).
This example is in excellent unrestored original condition with interesting original extras such as the 100+ year old tyres and the toolbag No 741, which was only used on this model. The saddle is also original to the machine, though it was damaged during its lifetime and repaired by the previous owner.
Interesting components on this bicycle that were only used by Rudge-Whitworth for a short time include the ‘divided rubber’ pedals, and the V section mudguards which have an extra ridge on either side.
There are also various other features that were used over several years but are still fabulous extras to have on a bicycle: jointed rims; inverted brake levers (they give a bicycle the appearance of a motorcycle of the same era); flip-up hub oilers with the Rudge-Whitworth ‘hand’ motif; and the eccentric chain adjustment which is facilitated by removing the rear mudguard stays and using the unique Rudge-Whitworth spanner that’s provided with this bicycle.
I’ve left the superb original tyres on it but they are starting to crack. Though you could pump them up and ride around the block on them, for proper riding they should be carefully removed and preserved, and replaced with normal 28 x 1/2″ tyres (supplied). Apart from fitting tyres, this wonderful machine is in lovely condition all round and ready to ride.
1908 RUDGE-WHITWORTH CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
ORIGINAL TYRES
On the front: THE CAMBRIDGE TYRE FULLY GUARANTEED.
On the back: THE STANFORD FULLY LINED TYRE.
INVERTED BRAKE LEVERS
ECCENTRIC CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
“While keeping spanner clear of eccentric pegs, loosen both spindle nuts. Then, engaging pegs with notch in spanner, turn both eccentrics until chain has correct tension.
After observing that wheel is central in forks and chain stays, tighten up both nuts again, keeping spanner clear of pegs.”
RUDGE-WHITWORTH & THE ROYAL FAMILY
PRINCE ALBERT, Duke of York— ‘Bertie’ to the family — was the second son of King George V. He attended the Royal Naval College, Osborne, as a naval cadet in 1909. The following year, with the death of Edward VII and his father becoming George V, he became second in line to the throne. In 1914 he began service in WW1, and was mentioned in dispatches for his action as a turret officer aboard Collingwood in the Battle of Jutland (May-June 1916), the largest naval engagement of the war). He transferred to the Royal Air Force upon its establishment in 1918 and was the first member of the royal family to be certified as a fully qualified pilot. He married Elizabeth in 1923, and became King George VI unexpectedly in 1936 as a result of his older brother Edward’s abdication. He died in 1952, and was succeeded by the current Queen Elizabeth in 1953.
PRINCE HENRY, born in 1900, was the third son of King George V, and his title was H.R.H Prince Henry of York. Unlike his brothers who joined the Royal Navy, Prince Henry joined the Army, attending the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in 1919. He later served with The King’s Royal Rifle Corps and the 10th Royal Hussars before retiring from the active list in 1937. He became H.R.H the Duke of Gloucester in 1928. With the outbreak of WW2, he joined the British Expeditionary Force as Chief Liaison Officer, and was slightly wounded when his staff car was attacked from the air. He became Governor-General of Australia in 1944, serving until 1947.
JOINTED RIMS & PATENT HUBS
RUDGE-WHITWORTH TOOLBAG Model No 741
The No 741 toolbag seen here is mentioned specifically in the specification for the 1908 Rudge-Whitworth ‘No 20’ Special Light Roadster. It was only fitted to the No 20 and its brother the No 21 (which had heavy duty All-Weather mudguards).
Each Rudge-Whitworth model in 1908 had a specific toolbag:
The No 1 Aero Special had a No 742 toolbag. The No 3 & No 6 Aero-Special had a No 735 toolbag. The No 60 & No 69 Crescent had a No 739 toolbag. The No 21 All-Weather also used the No 741 toolbag.
