There is a scanned copy of a Reynolds tubing catalog that addresses some of your questions available online at the following URL:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/
Regards, Steve Neago
Cincinnati, OH
> Hi David,
> There is a reference to Reynolds "A" and "B" (as well as 531) in Phil
> Irving's book "Motorcycle Engineering". Apparently "A" and "B" are both
> carbon steels, with "A" having a higher carbon content. "A" is described
as
> being suitable for brazing only, not gas or electric welding, while "B"
can
> be joined by any method. Both "A" and "B" have around 2/3 the yield
strength
> of "531" as drawn. All are described as cold drawn seamless tubes.
> I didn't know that "A" was used for bicycles. Anyone remember
Matchless
> G85 CS scramblers (and P-11 Nortons) with "531" decals?
>
> Best regards,
> Wes Gadd
> Unionville,CT