On Jan 6, 2010, at 5:54:44 PM, "Tim Prophit" <tprophit@comcast.net> wrote: From: "Tim Prophit" <tprophit@comcast.net> Subject: [CR] 1950's Urago 'Tour de France' for sale Date: January 6, 2010 5:54:44 PM GMT-05:00 To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org I have my late father's 1950's Urago road bike for sale. I had a bike person knowledgeable about Urago's take a look, here are his observations:
"Hello Tim,
I received the pictures of the Urago bicycle - thanks very much for going to the trouble of sending them to me. After looking carefully at the pictures, I can make the following observations. The bicycle was probably made around 1952 and, I believe, is a "Tour de France" model. As you know, the tubing is Reynolds 531, the lugs are "Oscar Egg" lugs. The original derailleur's were both Simplex, but only the front is now the original. The frame is relatively small and the bicycle is really made for a smaller person. Frame size for bicycles is usually given in terms of 2 measurements; the distance from the centre of the crank axle, up the seat tube to the centrepoint where the seat tube meets the top tube, and secondly, from the centrepoint of the seat tube, along the top tube to the centrepoint of the head tube (where the headbadge is located). This frame looks to have measurements around 20 to 21 inches. An average frame might be 22 1/2 inches, while a large frame would be 25 inches.
Parts on this bicycle which are not original include the wheels, the rear derailleur, the seat, the bottom bracket cups, and the brake levers. It also looks as if most of the bicycle has been repainted at some time - the metallic blue does not seem to be the original finish.
Certain Uragos are very collectable. This is a good quality Urago, but was not originally the very highest quality. The top quality Urago racing bicycles from this period had custom chrome-plated head lugs and other embellishments. Nevertheless, this is an interesting bike that was obviously very prized by your father. I am not sure how the things that I have mentioned will affect the value of the bicycle."
I have tons of photos I will be glad to send to anyone who is interested.
I am asking $900.00 USD.
Thank you,
Tim Prophit
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Tim: I assume your farther was Malcolm Prophit. In the early fifties I was a member of the Wolverine Wheelman and off and on worked for Mike Walden at his Continental Sports Shop on Livernois. I rode Urago's for a number of years before switching to Paramounts in the sixties. I sure would like to see the pictures you have. Gene Diggs (genediggs@aol,com)