Mick added yet another great historical tidbit:
> Buckley Brothers prolific South London frame builder had two shops Beresford
> Street, Camberwell Gate, S.E.5 and Wells Road, Sydenham, S.E.26. They
> started in 1919 and survived into the 1950's. There first lightweight racer
> weighed 17.5 lbs. They built a special for a lightweight show which weighed
> in at only 13lbs. in the days of steel components. This model went into
> production as their famous "Model C" Path Racer. they also built Taper tube
> models. All of their time trial frames could be fitted with square to round
> chainstays. A feature on their ladies lightweights was that the seat clamp
> was fitted in reverse with the bolt facing the peak of the saddle.
> They were pioneers in using Round Taper Stays on tandems and were very
> famous for their racing tricycles.
> As I have said before each individual frame maker was stongly connected with
> a club Buckleys was the Rodney C.C.
Was the lightweight show that you mentioned a regular event? How long a time passed between the production of the show 'special' and the launch of the production "Model C"? Beyond their obviously unique frames, did the Buckley brothers use their own parts, or did they access readily available ones in building such lightweights? If they built their own parts, did they call themselves 'constructors'?
It is refreshing to have confirmation that 'weight weenies,' like virtually all 'new' ideas are not unique to the modern era or to one specific geographic area.
Keep up the great work Mick!
--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ