Rudges of Greater Refinement .sx A 500 c.c. Radial = valve Engine :sx Oil = bath Chain Cases :sx Lever = operated Central Stands :sx Stop Lights .sx Although several interesting changes have taken place in Rudge models for 1932 , one of the most important features of the programme is that the new models are built to an ideal rather than to a price .sx Again , though the result of racing experience is evidenced in a practical nature on every model , refinements which are of no practical value to the racing man but which affect considerably the comfort and ease of maintenance of the machine for touring purposes are to be found in all the tourist models .sx Since it incorporates practically all the new features , the Ulster model may be described in full , and is , in a broad sense , typical of the remainder of the range .sx First of all , there has been a considerable alteration in the cylinder-head design , since the radial-valve arrangement introduced on the 350 c.c. engine , and later on the two-fifty , has been adopted for this engine also .sx The arrangement of the valves is identical with that of previous models , but the rocker gear has been modified , for the cross rockers , instead of being carried on plates anchored to an adjustable pillar on the near side , now have their pivots fixed to the cylinder heads and protected by a metal shield .sx Since the removal of the adjustable pillar eliminates the original method of adjusting the outer rocker , a set screw and lock-nut type of adjustment has now been provided in the rocker end itself .sx The arrangement is very neat , and provides easier access to the centrally placed plug .sx In the remainder of the engine there has been practically no change , but the aluminium chain case which previously enclosed the primary chain has now been modified to the extent of rendering it oil-tight .sx Both dynamo and primary chains are fully enclosed , and inspection covers are provided for each chain .sx An oil joint is obtained at the gear box by a circular brass flange covering the adjustment slot and pressed dup against a machined face by a light spring .sx There is a convenient oil-filler plug over the engine-shaft shock absorber , and an overflow plug is set at the correct level to prevent excess of oil .sx Since the clutch is now enclosed in the oil-bath casing , the number of friction surfaces has been increased to eight , but Ferodo inserts of roughly rectangular formation are retained , the pressure being applied by eight coil springs forced up by screwed thimbles .sx The new oil bath case in no way interferes with the accessibili6ty of primary chain adjustment ; this process has , in fact , been rendered more simple by the adoption of an eccentric-type adjuster placed immediately behind the box .sx Actually , the mechanism takes the form of a small crank passing through both bearer plates and connected to the back of the gear box by a link .sx The crank has a hexagon end , and is normally locked in position by a large lock nut .sx To adjust the box the fixing bolts are slacked and the crank turned in the desired direction and locked up .sx On the Ulster model foot operation for the four-speed gear box has been standardised , the operating pedal being brought across the frame through a boss in the chain cover , and mounted in a convenient position under the left toe .sx A threequarter guard protects the rear chain , and a cam adjustment is provided on the rear spindle for tensioning purposes .sx In order to ensure perfect filtration for the oil a Tecalemit filter unit is provided within the oil tank , and oil returned from the sump is forced to pass through this filter .sx This unit , which is detachable through the filler hole , is enclosed in a steel tube , having an outlet hole at the top , so that the flow of oil may be checked visibly after removing the filler cap .sx In the frame itself there has been practically no alterations , except that the steering has been slightly improved , and a hand adjustment has been provided on the top fork links .sx There is , however , one further point of considerable importance , in that the central stand may now be operated by a long tubular lever pivoted to the frame and linked to the stand .sx When the stand is not in operation the lever lies alongside the primary chain case , with the handle in a convenient position for lifting .sx The leverage is such that it is an easy matter for a rider of even modest physique to raise the machine on to the stand .sx This is a most practical point , which will make a strong appeal to all riders .sx A new type of handlebar has been adopted ; though following Rudge lines , it has grouped control levers adjustable for angle .sx In addition , electrically equipped models will all be fitted with a stop light as standard .sx This light consists of an additional bulb and ruby glass in the Miller tubular-type tail light ; it is automatically lighted by the application of the brakes , since an electrical contact is made by the movement of the brake pedal .sx A valanced front mudguard has been standardised on this model , and the kick-starter pedal is now rubber-covered .sx In order to obtain a better finish all enamelled parts are first treated with a special rust-proof process , and chromium-plated parts have a heavy primary coat of nickel .sx The appearance of the machine has been considerably improved by the addition of chromium-plated wheel rims .sx With 27X3 .sx 25in. Avon tyres , the price of the Ulster model is 70 , or 75 10s .sx with Miller six-volt lighting equipment .sx With a very similar specification , the 499 c.c. Special is available at a price of 59 , or 64 10s .sx with electric equipment .sx In this engine the parallel-valve type of four-valve mechanism is retained , with a pent-5roof head .sx The tyres are of 26X3 .sx 25in. section .sx On the T.T. Replica model of both 350 c.c. and 500 c.c. the tyres are 27X3in .sx in front and 27X3 .sx 25in at the back .sx These machines follow the latest Rudge racing practice in all details .sx They are , of course , without the oil-bath chain case , but the engines are specially bench-tested .sx The price of the smaller machine is 82 , and of the larger 85 , while a 250 c.c. T.T. Replica is listed at 75 .sx No material alterations have taken place in the 350 c.c. radial-valve engine fitted to the tourist model .sx It has , however , an oil-bath chain case , and the specification already described as common to the Ulster ; certain minor changes include the fact that the hand gear control is standardised , while the foot operation is an optional extra on both this and the 500 c.c. Special .sx Valanced front guards with mud-splasher are also standardised on both these models .sx The price of the 350 c.c. Tourist is 54 10s .sx , or 60 with six-volt dynamo lighting .sx The tyre size is 27X3in .sx No outstanding changes have been made in the 250 c.c. radial-valve model , but even with the four-speed gear box and electric lighting it comes within the 30s .sx tax .sx The price is 39 15s .sx , 45 with Maglita combined ignition and lighting set , or 44 with coil ignition and lighting .sx A somewhat larger clearance has been provided between the tyres and the mud-guards , so that tyres of larger section than the standard 25X3in .sx may be fitted if so desired .sx A new silencer has improved the appearance of the machine , and a wider primary chain should increase the length of life of this item .sx Chromium rims improve the finish .sx Both this model and the new Ulster are provided with horizontal carburetter bodies to improve the accessibility of this unit , and to provide a better line for the control wires .sx The coupled braking system which has been standard on all Rudge products for many years is , of course , retained on all models .sx Special efforts have been made to reduce to a minimum both mechanical and exhaust noises ; a great improvement in both respects has been effected by the introduction of cams of slightly modified design .sx It is claimed that after a preliminary adjustment the primary chain will retain its tension for thousands of miles , and that the improved guard has double the length of time between adjustments of the rear chain .sx Altogether a range to please the critical rider .sx Morgans with Three Speeds .sx Famous Three-wheeler's 'Break with Tradition :sx Three-speed and Reverse Gears , with Single Driving Chain :sx Two-speed Models Retained :sx Cylinder Angle Changed :sx Dry-sump Lubrication .sx To state that the Morgan Motor Co. have designed a new chassis for 1932 would be quite unfair to the amazingly simple design which has characterised this most successful three-wheeler from its earliest days .sx The essential features of the three-tube construction are unchanged , but so far as engine and transmission are concerned the design has been brought so much up to date that it is difficult to regard the machine as a whole as anything but new .sx Those who knew and love the old two-speed Morgans will still be able to obtain this type unaltered from the 1931 design , at very modest prices , but the main range for the future will include a three-speed and reverse gear box with a single driving chain , and a redesigned engine which is available in all the usual types .sx The biggest change lies in the transmission .sx Except that the layshaft is mounted directly above the mainshaft , the new three-speed box is of conventional design .sx Running in deep-groove ball bearings throughout , the mainshaft is very well supported , for , in addition to the spigot bush , which is surrounded by the front main bearing , there are two other bearings , one at the tail of the gear box and one behind the David Brown worm gear .sx The deep-g4roove bearings take both thrust and radial loads , and the excellent support for the shafts makes the box extremely silent in action .sx Two long bronze floating bushes surround the fixed layshaft , and lie between it and a continuous sleeve carrying the four layshaft pinions .sx Here , again , the rigidity of the construction encourages silence , and holes drilled from the bottom of the teeth to the centre of the sleeve ensure adequate lubrication through the pumping action of the gear wheels .sx The reverse intermediate pinion is mounted on a separate stationary shaft .sx Providing a reduction of just over 2 to 1 , the worm wheel is mounted above the worm , and is housed in a circular aluminium casting formed in one with the gear box .sx The wheel is bolted to the cross-shaft and is carried on a deep-groove bearing on the near side and a roller bearing on the drive side .sx The ball race takes both thrust and radial loads , and both bearings have large grease-proof packings on their outer faces .sx Each of these journals is carried in a circular bronze end-plate , the outer periphery of the bosses being used as bearings for the radius rods .sx Since these radius-rod bearings are 3in .sx in diameter , they should last almost indefinitely , but , should wear take place after a very considerable mileage , the bronze end-plates are easily detachable and renewable .sx On the near side is a fabric wheel for the dynamo drive , the dynamo itself being mounted on a casing rigidly bolted to the side of the gear box .sx On the off-side the front sprocket for the final drive is mounted on parallel splines so that is may be removed with ease if a change of ratio is desired .sx Keyed into the front end of the gear box driving shaft is a forward extension shaft carrying at its foremost end a four-jaw dog drive , and immediately behind the dog is a ball race which is housed in the propeller-shaft tube .sx This extension serves the double purpose of providing a further support for the first motion gear shaft , and also of shortening the propeller shaft , and thus avoiding whirl .sx There is no change in the rear portion of the frame , except that the twin radius rods are bolted rigidly together with a solid forging mounted immediately behind the worm box .sx It will be remembered that the system of mounting the radius rods concentrically with the cross-shaft centre was introduced last year , and this system , which maintains unvarying chain centres under varying spring loads , is retained , as is the drop-out rear spindle and the large internal-expanding rear brake .sx