[CR] So ... My Aussie Speedwell is old .... perhaps older than some of you ;-)

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Professore di Pimpissimo" <bici_pimp@mac.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 10:29:26 +1000
Subject: [CR] So ... My Aussie Speedwell is old .... perhaps older than some of you ;-)

Hey all,

From the opinion of those who know a fair bit on early Australian Speedwells my recent find was built somewhere between 1928 & 1932. Consensus is that it dates from before the Dunc Gray 1932 LA Olympic bike on display at the Dunc Gray Olympic 2000 Velodrome. Fishtail lugwork, fork crown & fork dropouts suggest thus & the serial # is consistent with the same. To fully confirm the era of the frame & fork I plan to remove the fork & see if there is a corresponding serial # stamped on the steerer tube. The headset has me a little ... uh .... lets just say its unlike any I have tooled on or can find reference to in Sutherlands or Google, maybe its more akin to the current vogue of internal headsets. Was our man Rebour still on the absinthe at the time these were produced? Any pics or diagrams of similar or in practice are the early internal Bianchi headset much the same?

The parts date mostly from the about the 50's forward. Still not sure whether to refurbish with period correct bits or keep as is or other, but it needs a little lovin'. In particular i wish to open up the bottom bracket & headset for a good clean, grease & re-pack. None of the parts indicate damage or undue wear but I'd rather get a better look and prep them before I take it out for a whirl. I don't want to do any damage or get stuck with a bunch of parts being unable to fit it all back together & I'd rather know its beyond me before i start, so I'm asking for advice that anyone may have with ......

- Steel Magistroni cranks - cotter pins (bolted).

http://homepage.mac.com/dupe/.Pictures/old%20speedwell/bblug.jpg

- Brampton "oiler" bottom brackets. ??

http://homepage.mac.com/dupe/.Pictures/old%20speedwell/ magistronistamp.jpg

- Internal headsets - stripping & reassembly - still have no idea of the make (any clues?).

http://homepage.mac.com/dupe/.Pictures/old%20speedwell/headtubeside.jpg

Any tips or past experience with these, (whattayado with no headset locknut), would be appreciated. Also, the year of manuf. for the cranks, bb & headset (make?) would be cool to know as well.

The good news is it is a Speedwell, the shiny portion of chrome (or is it nickel?) left behind were the "Speedwell" was on the downtube is likely to have been painted. Any clairvoyants amongst you care to guess as to the colour of the Speedwell logo. Some mystery remains as to whether the chrome is original or a later replate. What is the done thing with older plating - polish or leave as is ??

Pics for the keen eyed amongst you are on the page below.......

http://homepage.mac.com/dupe/PhotoAlbum11.html

Any help or advice is appreciated. Any willing to have a crack at suggesting correct era parts are welcome too.

thanks

ciao, Ben Kamenjas Sydney, Australia

oh ... there are a few interesting bits on Aussie ebay (no relation blah blah)

S/Record 26.8 seat post

http://ebay.com/<blah> ViewItem&category=42319&item=3690949426

Colnago Shoes - NOSNIB size 45.5

http://ebay.com/<blah> ViewItem&category=42319&item=3692062179