Photo ou archives : D. Ganneau
1208
DURANDAL
350 Rudge 4v – 1932
The stuff of legends
When Philippe Ulberich created his own marque at Dijon in 1926, he named it "Durandal" after the unbreakable sword of the legendary folk hero Roland. In four years of production, many different frame-and-engine combinations appeared under this venerable name.
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It was in 1930 that the finest Durandal of all appeared. The English Rudge company had recently begun selling its engines separately under the "Python" marque, and the new Durandals were powered by these magnificent units – which boasted four radial valves – in 350 and 500cc capacities. The gearboxes came from the same source, were initially hand change and then, after 1931, foot change. These lively machines were delivered in road-going trim, but a racing version – recognizable by its thinner-section tires, was also available.
A Proud Competition Record
The Durandal-Rudge was virtually the only French racing bike available to private customers and its competition results spoke volumes. Typically, a 500 Durandal-Rudge took the motorcycle record for the Mont-Ventoux hillclimb in 1933. But the economic crisis of the early Thirties and fierce competition from the neighboring Terrot company sounded the death knell for Durandal, which disappeared in 1933. Total production is estimated at 200 to 300 units; around 40 survive.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 346cc (70x90mm) single-cylinder four-stroke; magneto ignition
Valves: overhead; four radial valves
Fuel System: Amal carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed; chain final drive
Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: wire
Weight: 309 lb
Maximum Speed: 80 mph
The Durandal-Rudge combined a frame in the style of its day with one of the finest racing engines of all time.