Hello Derek, I am pleased with the way it turned out too. The chainset and
front Simplex came with a wheeless Hobbs I bought off Hilary years ago. The
Hobbs is circa 47 too. The Chrome on the forks had come off and they are a
mess but the frame is great so it is one of those frames that hangs around
with no immediate solution to it's problems. Then the Gillott turned up. A
chap had sent me photos of the '52 Connoisseur and I could see the Spear
lugged seat cluster of another frame in the background. So I bought them
both. It came together when Hilary offered the 47 Simplex mech on CR. That
completed the gruppo so to speak. Vic Polanski gave me the Brooks seatpost
minus a bolt and its hardware so that was another wee project. I had always
wanted one but they were going for silly money on evilbay. The wheels are
far too clean and shiny really, being a set I had built on specc in London
by Sam 'The wheels' Salmon , the old Jamaican guy who worked for
Holdsworths. I knew I was coming up to Scotland so had a blitz on my hub and
rim stock and ended up one afternoon cycling home with 4 pairs of wheels
strapped to back. That was back in 2000. The galvy spokes have dulled a bit!
Currently in negotiations for an original TT Fleur de Lis from '52 with
racing history, county records etc. Hope you are keeping well. will copy
this to CR also. Mark Stevens Evanton Scotland