Re: [CR] Post War Brits Euro Parts

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

From: "Dr. Paul B. Williams" <castell5@sympatico.ca>
To: Doug Smith <douguk2007@hotmail.co.uk>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 8 May 2010 16:35:28 -0400
In-Reply-To: <SNT139-w1881A15FA431C10B0B670190F70@phx.gbl>
References:
Subject: Re: [CR] Post War Brits Euro Parts


Hello Doug,

I always look forward to your contributions and of others who rode the bikes some of us covet now when they were new off the frame-makers jig!

You raise the interesting issue of availability of parts, frames etc. in the post-War years because of scarcity of materials. One has to wonder how many bikes were kitted out with old stock 1930s pieces in the immediate post-War years and during the War itself? At times it must have been a case of use what was available. My 48-9 Carpenter has a pre-War headbadge which bears the address of Carpenter's earlier pre-War premises. It may also have an earlier lugset?

These issues have also struck home with me as I contemplate building up a 1941/2 frameset - the Joe Cooke Imperial Petrel which I recently purchased from Neil Foddering. Apart from the fact that there could not have been that many frames built during the War years (or am I wrong), what parts should be hanging on such a beast? 30s and 40s parts seem to be relatively scarce by comparison with the post-War pieces.

How much metal was re-used in the War effort?

Cheers,

Paul

Paul Williams, Ottawa, ON, Canada


> From: douguk2007@hotmail.co.uk
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org; twerne@bellsouth.net
> Date: Sat, 8 May 2010 20:10:13 +0000
> Subject: [CR] Post War Brits Euro Parts
>
>
> Following Tory Werne's posting yesterday on the above subject . As a teenager and
>
> a newcomer to the sport in 1948 at the age of 17 years I had to add my comments
>
> on the subject although none has appeared on the open list.
>
>
>
> Being just after the war we club folk at that time were a mixed bunch of enthusiasts
>
> in our approach to the sport joining in with former experienced members just coming
>
> back from the various duties of wartime Britain. Many of these folk came back after
>
> five long years to retrieve their pre war machines from storage and we younger folk
>
> were begining to start out with all steel made goods in great shortage and with little
>
> financial or choice to purchase the bike of our dreams.
>
>
>
> Having said that I can only speak as a member of my local club and others whom
>
> I met both in competition and socially in the South London and Home Counties area
>
> As regards the choice of frame and components it really depended on which part of
>
> the sport folk chose to take part in ie. racer or tourist and their personal selection
>
> of their needs. I and many of my colleagues always strictly chose only the British
>
> frame and components although there was the exception with some others which
>
> did prefer French and Italian goods Campag and Simplex among the most notable.
>
> Again it was all down costs and as I and many others were apprentices in various
>
> trades found it a stumbling block and used of the hire purchase method of paying
>
> our way. British goods were in majority at the time in early post war Britain.
>
>
>
> If it had'nt been the demise of the British manufacturing of cycling goods I would
>
> still only have components made in this country today to go on my British bikes.
>
> I can only dream!!
>
>
>

> Doug Smith

>

> North Dorset

>

> UK