About Us

Following initial discussions among like-minded individuals, including George Brine, a meeting was convened on February 26th 1949 at the Kingsway Hall, London to consider a proposal to form the Rudge Association.

 “That, being Rudge owners and riders who still consider the Rudge as an ideal machine, we view with regret that fact that manufacture has now ceased and desire to form an organization whose object and purpose is to prevent this make passing into oblivion.”

On passing this proposal the meeting agreed objects, established an association structure and began organizing social gatherings.

The objects of the Rudge Association were;

1. To prolong the existence of this famous make.

2. To band together owners, riders and those interested in Rudge machines.

3. To assist where possible individual cases to further these aims.

However, it quickly became clear that the owners of the Rudge brand, rights and patents, Raleigh Industries were not interested in restarting machine production and among many things would not allow the nascent Association to use the Rudge ‘Hand’ device as the basis of a badge design. It took until the end of May for Raleigh to agree to the use of the capital R from the primary chaincase as the basis of a badge design.

The first edition of the Association magazine was published in November 1949 entitled ‘Enthusiasm’ and the level of enthusiasm enabled monthly issues to appear until August 1950 (Vol.1 No.10). If anyone knows of a later issue please let this website know.

Many of those who had joined the RA had experienced the joys of owning a brand new Rudge before the War and were convinced that new machines could be put on the road once again. When it was clear that this was impossible some felt that they had been misled and the initial enthusiasm along with the Rudge Association itself dwindled away.

A new  'Rudge Association' was formed in 2017 to carry forward the original aims and aspirations of the former 'Rudge Association'. With history repeating itself, a dispute over the use of the name 'Rudge Association' initiated by one of its founder members resulted in the name being barred from use so in 2023 the 'Rudge MotorCycle Club' was born to take on the mantle of all the previous 'Rudge Association' aims & objectives (see the statement from the RMCC Secretary below).

The Rudge Motorcycle Club

Hello everyone, you may be wondering why the Rudge Association has been quiet of late. In truth, we haven’t been, it’s just that some choices had to be made on how to move forward, having received the threat of legal action if we continued to use the RA name. Quietly, and diligently, at no small expense of a few dedicated individuals, we self-funded the registering of a new trademark through solicitors. This has finally borne fruit, so having received confirmation of ownership from the Intellectual Properties Agency we can now introduce everyone to our new name ‘The Rudge Motorcycle Club’. 

For those of you who may have read the RA’s statement of intent, we The Rudge Motorcycle Club will hold to commitments and sentiments expressed in the previous RA document, moreover we intend to provide a viable alternative to other or similar organisations without resorting to incrimination. With the kind assistance of Colin Chapple and Paul Horton, the club will at some pace, resume normal service. In consequence, expect to see us at these classic motorcycle exhibitions, the Bristol Show in February, The Stafford Classic Bike Show in April, Founders Day etc. 

Should you wish to be updated on club activities, including details relating to our annual rally, please forward your contact email address to Steve Bolger steve.bolger@live.co.uk. or use the contact us page.

Kind Regards,

Peter Hamilton-Giles (Secretary of The Rudge Motorcycle Club)