Dale wrote:
>Woodrup Giro Touring, 24" (61 CM) x 21 5/8" (56 CM)
>Silver metallic Imron. No headset (that's a dummy in the pictures) Look
>here:
<A HREF="http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/Woodrup_85078.htm">Woodrup
#85078</A>
(http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/Woodrup_85078.htm)
>$550.00 + actual shipping
Nice looking frame! I checked the pics and you mentioned the serial number 85078 indicated it was made in 1985. I don't know, but I wrote Stephen Woodrup a few years ago about a frame I had and sent him the serial number. My frame turned out to have been built in 1980 although there was no "80" in the serial number. He told me the serial numbers did not have date codes. Maybe that changed at some point.
I've since picked up two more Woodrups. One is another 1980 or so frame and the other is probably a 1986. I hope to confirm that through Woodrup. At what point did Ten Speed Drive become the Woodrup importer in the States? There's a nice Ten Speed Drive Woodrup catalog from the mid-1980's available for viewing on Mark Bulgier's site:
http://bulgier.net/
My early 1980's frame is a little plainer with no rack braze-ons and no reinforcement tabs around the H20 bosses. My 1986 frame is just like what is pictured as the "Giro Sport" in the above catalog. Funny, the top tube has a "Giro Touring" decal, but the wheelbase is only 39" and it is the Reynolds ST tubing which is spec'd for the "Giro Sport" model. Why would you use the Reynolds "ST" tubing on a club style bike, but not on the all out tourer? The build is pretty traditional for the time with above bottom bracket cable guides, nutted brake attachments, and no shifter braze-ons. Seems pretty old skool since it was sold with Campy Victory and 130mm spacing.
Would love to know more about Woodrups since I seem to be attracting them lately! There is, of course, a chapter about them in the Custom Bicycle book. Woodrup has a one page web site with a little information. It mentions Maurice Woodrup with wife Jean started the company and son Stephen took over in the mid-1970's. Now Stephen's kids are working with him. Seems to be a nice little family affair. Here's the official site:
Any additional info would be appreciated.
Jim Cole
Memphis, TN