[CR]1950 Thanet Silverlight For Sale

(Example: Framebuilders:Rene Herse)

Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 10:10:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Jay Van De Velde" <jaysportif@yahoo.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]1950 Thanet Silverlight For Sale

I've decided the time has come to pass on my Thanet, and I'm offering it to the CR listmembers before I put it for sale on eBay. The Thanet measures 60cm c-c, with a toptube of 57cm. I can't speak to the ride characteristics of the bike since I've never ridden the thing. This bike has a pulley braze on for a S-A hub, and I seem to recall discovering this bike was ordered with a ASC hub. Since I didn't have an ASC, but did have a wheelset with red anodized hubs from the period, I set it up as a fixed gear. I didn't have a lockring, so I didn't ride it when finished, thinking I'll get around to finding a lockring for it soon enough. Never did, which is why it hasn't been ridden since restored. Sad, I know. A bit of history about this bike: I bought the frameset several years ago from Dave Martinez (CR list member), who received the frame from Art Stump a number of years earlier. Art bought the frame in 1960 while in London. He saw it hanging in the window of a framebuilder's shop and went in to inquire about it. By 1960, Thanets already were very collectible bikes, and the frame was on display only, not for sale. Art was a student of industrial design, and dearly wanted the frame so a deal was struck. The frame is far too large for Art to ride (who would normally ride perhaps a 52cm bike?). He kept it as a design study until Dave acquired it. The frame was not in good shape when Art purchased it in London in 1960, and never restored it. By the time I got it, the frame was in dire need of saving. I brought it to Jim and Susan at Cyclart to do the work, and they did an excellent correct restoration. It is built up with correct components, save for the seatpost, which should be a Reynolds straight or bent seatpost. The paint scheme, colors and decals are correct. I've never so much as thrown a leg over the bike since it was completed several years ago, so it still is in flawless condition. I'd like to see this bike go to another proper caretaker since Thanets are so rare. I'm letting it go only because I haven't enough space as it is, and I'm trying to add an old car into the storage mix so something has to go. I have quite a bit invested in this bike, which is why I'm offering it at $3200. Pictures here:

http://theracingbicycle.com/Thanet.html

Thanks,
Jay Van De Velde
Seal Beach,CA