1934 JAP Rudge-Martin 500
1934 JAP Rudge-Martin 500
King of the cinders
Speedway racing arrived in England via Australia in 1928 and was an instant success. Tracks quickly sprang up across the country. The first big track opened at Stamford Bridge, home of the famous Chelsea Football Club, in May 1928. By October, its meetings were attracting over 80,000 spectators.
JAP Takes Over
The first champions Australians and Americans – rode Harley Peashooters and Indians, then chose Douglas flat-twins, which were unbeatable in 1929. Next, the four-valve Rudge single took over. Rudge, like Douglas, offered complete speedway bikes with reinforced frames. London engine manufacturer J. A. Prestwich (JAP) quickly took an interest and in 1930, after a close study of the Rudge engine, brought out its own speedway unit.
A Long Reign
In 1930, Wal Phillips raced the JAP engine in a Wallis frame, but JAP was soon marketing complete speedway machines, Victor Martin, head of their speedway division, fitted the JAP engines in Rudge frames for which he held the license (Rudge had given up speedway). Simple and robust but very light, the JAP engine was irresistible. Within two years most riders were using them, in Wallis-Comerford or Rudge-Martin frames. For 40 years, the JAP engine reigned supreme, until the arrival of the Czech Eso and Jawa units. Each JAP unit was tested and checked for hours before it was passed for sale. Fergus Anderson, later famed for his speed exploits with Guzzi, lapped Brooklands at over 109 mph with a speedway JAP in a special frame.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 497cc (80x99mm) air-cooled single cylinder tour-stroke
Power Rating: 40 hp © 6000 rpm
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: Amal carburetor
Transmission: direct-chain final drive
Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Wheels: 2.75×23 inch (front); 3.50×20 inch (rear)
Weight: 181 lb
Maximum Speed: 110 mph (with “special speed” frame); 70 mph (on quarter-mile track)
This 500cc 1934 JAP was probably once ridden by Phil Bishop, a leading rider from the High Beech team, based at Britain’s oldest speedway track.
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