For sale - 1960s Witcomb - Complete 59ctc - Nervex - Campag - Stronglight - etc

Hello...

New project in mind needs funds... So I am selling my lovely Witcomb, which makes me sad but no choice really...

Photos from when I finished the restauration about 1-2 years ago:

(Bell and saddle bag are not included...)

I bought the frame from Vintage Bike Cave, had it sand blasted and resprayed at Mario Vaz who did a fantastic job, and guided me thru decision making for panels, lug lining, etc...
The frame has nice features, nervex lugs, wraping stays over seattube, nice seat cluster, etc... Numbers of frame and forks match, if I remember correctly (We checked with Mario because a friend of mine thought forks were more recent. The forks are the original ones). The frame is 59cm ctc (seat tube). I don't have the other dimensions in mind...

The bike is still in the same condition. I never rode it in the rain, never crashed it or anything. (saying that, it's an old frame: I always say that when I sell a bike... I cannot know full history and how previous owners have behaved with the bike. The frame looked healthy when sand blasted, apart from light superficial rust pitting)

The bike was rebuilt with fairly period correct parts:
-Campag Nuevo Record mech/levers, with proper period outers.
-Shimano center pull brakes (rear bridge dictated use of center pull, I did not want to chop it off just for the sake of having Campag brakes)
-GB bars and stem. Bars have been taped with red cotton tape and shellac-ed
-Nervar type seat post
-Weinman / Maillard wheels (I've just put new Michelin dynamic tyres with gum walls, the ones on the pictures were too tired)
-Shimano (105 I think) headset, not period, but that's all I had when rebuilding the bike, with low enough stack
-BB: I don't remenber, I think it's a Sakae Japan (will try to have a closer look and confirm)

The only update from the picture is that the crankset is now a Stronglight one, with drilled Stronglight rings, and the modern-ish brooks B17 has been replaced by a Brooks Pro which is probably from the 60s (the chrome rails make the saddle more appropriate to the bike). (See below pictures of the updated parts)

I'm after £450 for the complete bike, no split please, and London collection only.

Loic

1 Attachment

Links to pictures: does not seem to work above...

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9474/witcombdetcampag.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8215/witcombdetseatcluster.jpg
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/9515/witcombdetmisc03.jpg
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/4016/witcombdetmisc02.jpg
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2494/witcombdetmisc01.jpg
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/8517/witcombglobal2.jpg
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6057/witcombglobal1.jpg

Oh, that's nice. I've wanted a Witcomb for years since I lived up the road from them. They closed before I could afford it. I just bought a Mercian frame to build up - but so so tempted. Tell me it's the wrong size - I'm 6ft 2"

I'm 6ft1" and it's fine for me. In your case, depending on your legs, you may have a bit too much seatpost showing the taste of classicists, but it should ride nice. Feel free to come and try it...

I've got short legs, so it's probably perfect. Curses. Staring at Mercian... Thinking...

Well this Witcomb has been very nicely build up. The Mercian has to be.

Both lovely frames, hard decision there :)
But if you wanted a Witcomb, I think there's little to think...sell the Mercian :)

PS: @veLLo, is that Wandsworth Park ?

PM-ing now

PS: @veLLo, is that Wandsworth Park ?

Yes, I work nearby and took the pictures at lunch time one day...

Nice park. Wonderful bike.

Forgot to update this...
Provisionnaly sold to a Witcomb amateur!

nice! Is he from South West London ?