Built in Birmingham in 1925, this sporting little single from New Hudson has travelled half way round the world before finding new life in the hands of master restorer Sammy.
Words: Rich Orriss
Photos: Sammy @i.sammy.33 (Prewar Sammy)
There is something rather nice about the simple lines of a small British motorcycle from the vintage-era. Built in Birmingham over a century ago and intended as honest transport with a touch of sporting spirit, this 1925 Super Sport 350 from New Hudson Motorcycles has travelled further – and endured more – than its makers could ever have imagined. From English roads to Japan, through mechanical disaster and a twelve-year slumber, it survives today thanks to the determination and skill of vintage motorcycle restorer Sammy. Machines like this rarely have straightforward lives, but that is often exactly what makes them interesting.
At the turn of the 20th century, Birmingham stirred to the hustle and bustle of the motorcycle industry. A number of manufacturers surfaced, and among them was New Hudson Motorcycles – a firm founded in 1903 by George Patterson. New Hudson started out as a bicycle manufacturer, however the company soon entered the expanding motorcycle market and by the time of the inter-war era, had established itself as a respected builder of practical and sporting machines.
By the mid-1920s the 350cc class had become one of the most attractive divisions of the market. Riders wanted a motorcycle that offered a little excitement without sacrificing reliability or everyday usability. New Hudson’s answer was the Super Sport 350, a purposeful lightweight that reflected the steady development of British motorcycle engineering during the decade.
At the centre of the machine sits a 346cc overhead-valve single, designed and built by New Hudson themselves. Overhead-valve engines were increasingly favoured in the latter-half of the 1920s as manufacturers sought improved performance over the earlier side-valve machines. With exposed pushrods and rocker gear working the valves in the cylinder head, the engine offered a noticeably livelier character than many touring machines of the time.
Power was delivered through a three-speed hand-change gearbox, operated via the gate alongside the petrol tank – a familiar arrangement for riders of that time. It required a measured rhythm: easing off the throttle, pulling in the clutch and guiding the lever into the next ratio before smoothly feeding the power back in.
The bones of the bike were typical of the era, with a rigid rear frame and girder front forks. Simple but effective, the layout gave the machine the solid mechanical feel so characteristic of vintage motorcycles. Combined with relatively light weight and narrow tyres, the Super Sport would have been an agile and capable motorcycle on the roads of the day.
Machines such as this helped build the reputation of New Hudson Motorcycles during the 1920s. The company was keen to demonstrate the performance of its machines, and works motorcycles appeared at the famous Brooklands circuit, where British manufacturers pursued speed records on the steep concrete banking.
This New Hudson has travelled rather further than the factory could ever have envisioned. Built in 1925, the motorcycle eventually left Britain entirely, finding its way to Japan after being imported in 1997.
For several years it was ridden regularly by a friend of its current custodian, Sammy – a well-known enthusiast and master restorer of vintage motorcycles. Then, in 2006, misfortune struck. While replacing the crank bush, the primary-side crankcase was accidentally broken, bringing the New Hudson’s running days to an abrupt halt.
For the next twelve years the machine remained immobile. Eventually Sammy’s friend developed a serious eye condition and was forced to give up the project, passing the New Hudson on for restoration.
For a vintage motorcycle restorer, few problems are more daunting than a damaged crankcase. Rather than attempting a conventional casting repair, Sammy took a more modern route. A completely new crankcase was manufactured using CNC machining, carefully carved from solid metal to replicate the original component.
It was a meticulous process that blended modern engineering techniques with early twentieth-century design, allowing the engine to return to working order while preserving the integrity of the machine.
The engine was not the only part of the motorcycle to receive attention. The clutch, gearbox and magneto were all restored, while the petrol tank – which had developed an inconvenient tendency to leak – was patched up.
Period details were sourced with similar dedication. Acetylene lamps, a speedometer and a traditional bulb horn were all discovered at the renowned Beaulieu Autojumble, where restorers often uncover the small but vital components needed to complete a vintage machine properly.
One particularly nice detail is the survival of the original fasteners. Despite a century of existence and a journey across continents, virtually all the bolts and nuts remain exactly as they left the Birmingham factory in 1925.
Today the little Super Sport 350 runs as it was intended. The restoration stands as a credit to Sammy’s careful workmanship and deep respect for vintage machinery. More than that, it reflects the quiet persistence that keeps motorcycles like this alive. A century after it first left Birmingham, the New Hudson continues its journey – cherished, repaired and ridden by someone who understands exactly what it represents. And for Sammy, the intention is simple: to continue caring for the machine and enjoying it for many years to come.
an article by The Girder Club
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