Hello everyone:
During the past year I took posession of a near complete original BSA "Gold Column" track bike. It is missing only three items, if you consider the front wheel to be only one part. It is missing the handlebars, but has a nice Major Taylor style adjustable stem, and I have an NOS chrome-plated steel Torrington track bar in storage that I hope will fit the stem. It is also missing the saddle, but I have installed a Brooks B-15 for now. And, as I already mentioned, it is missing the front wheel.
This wheel is where I need help from you list members. First, the spacing between the front drop-outs measures almost exactly 90mm. And, the fork blades do not appear to have been bent toward each other, so I have to assume that 90mm may be the original spacing.
Second, the rear wheel, which For now I will assume is original, has a Weinmann tubular rim with smooth sides, and a 40 spoke hub that is constructed much like the FB made Campagnolo hubs in that it has a chrome-plated center section (which looks exactly like the FB-Campy's). The flanges are aluminum, but not large flange. The flange diameter is more like the Phil Wood medium flanges, but they have no holes other than those for the spokes. So far, I haven't found any lettering on the hub, and it is the first of it's kind that I've seen, so I really don't know what it is.
My best guess is that I need to find a wheel (or the parts to build one up) with a mid-50's Weinmann smooth-sided tubular rim, and a small- or medium-flange FB hub with 90mm axle spacing & 36 holes. But the hub is going to be the tough part to find.
Other than these missing parts, this bike is complete, including original paint, chrome, head-badge and decals. As far as the saddle goes, I would think that a Brooks swallow would be the best choice for this bike, should I be lucky enough to find another without breaking the bank (the B-15 will do for now). I believe this bike is from around 1955, and I have seen a little bit of information on the internet, but so far nothing that answers any of my questions regarding serial numbers and original componentry.
So, Is there anyone out there who posesses a vast knowledge of BSA racing bicycles? Should I decide to restore the finish, are there any replacement decals available? Can anyone out there help me locate either a hub & rim, or the whole wheel for this bike?
That's enough for now, but I'm saving my other acquisition, an Italian MASI GC with an original KAS team paint scheme, and it's needs for later. For now I welcome any and all comments and information regarding BSA bicycles, especially "Gold Column" track racing bicycles. Many thanks in advance, and happy cycling.
Regards,
"Bicycle Mark" Perkins Fresno, CA
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