Dear Paul:
I'm afraid I can't give any information on the make of the frame, but I do think it's older than 1968. This looks like a 1st quality bike, and by 1968 any such machine would almost invariably have had a rear drop out with a gear hanger incorporated, almost certainly a Campagnolo. Then the other details like the roller wheel BB guide and double pump peg look like 1955 or earlier. Nice bike, have fun with it! 30 years old (1980) is way too young for this venerable steed. Try 60 or so.
Tom Adams
Manhattan, Kansas USA
From: Paul Smith <paulmsmith@optusnet.com.au> Subject: [CR] My restoration project - mystery bike To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 7:35 AM
Hi Guys, I'm an avid bike rider but only a newbie to bike restorations, much to my wife's horror. She seems to think owning 6 bikes is a bit excessive but little does she realise they are all different.
I currently own, 4 single speed bikes (one each in aluminium, steel, scandium and titanium) and geared road bike and a recently purchased beautiful old lugged steel 10 speed (2 * 5) bike which I am restoring.
The previous owner said this bike was 30 years old and made in England by a small producer he couldn't name. I have been searching the web for weeks trying to track down the lugs patterns and other unusual characteristics in order to determine the make/model, but I have had no luck so now I'm seeking help from the experts. The lugs look similar to some early Rotrax models - but that is the closest I could come and the serial number 68166 can be found on the steerer tube and BB lug - so I'm assuming it was built in 1968.
Pictures of the bike can be found at
http://www.flickr.com/
I have just had the frame glass bead blasted (so I can restore the paint work) and there are no other marking. This paint work is thought to be original.
Unusual characteristics of this bike are:
* The distinctive lugs. * The way the seat stay wraps the top tube. * Very thin seat stay tubes. * Battery light bracket mount (a nut) on the right fork leg. * Grease nipple on the BB * Cable roller wheel on the BB * The unusual cable guide on the chain stay
If anyone can help me identify the make/model or point me in the right direction to search I would be much appreciated.
Just out of interest it came with Campy gears, Sakae/SR controls, Brooke Saddle, Weinmann brakes and Weinmann rims on Suzue hubs all of which I am cleaning, polishing and putting back on - I want it to retain the old bike character and charm. I am missing a few bits like;
* Weinmann Centerpull brake shoes and pads. * Locking ring for a Suzue rear hub (5 speed). * The leather straps to attached the tool pouch to the saddle, and * A battery for the old bike lamps (with connectors on the front middle and top)
Can anybody suggest a good place to buy these (or at least start a search)
Regards
Paul Smith
Sydney, NSW, Australia