Hi all, recently finished refurbing my Roberts Tandem, size 23” x 22” .
Tandem Frame Number is 891 11 so it was built in 1989
When I bought this tandem, it was, to say the least almost ready for the scrap pile (see photo)
I got it back home and stripped every last nut and bolt off it and set to work on the frame with a wire brush on a drill to strip the frame down to bare metal. After quite a few hours i was left with a very clean frame with no rust, pitting or any other defect. What was very noticeable was the quality of the bronze welding, on par with the Taylor's, Longstaff and Swallow cycles. I had decided (or my wife did) on a "Flam Rouge" colour with a tinted clear coat and i must say, when the sun shines, the colour does explode. Following the long process of etch primers, two pack primer, water based base coat, I put a full coat of tinted clear over it, left it for a few days, flatted it, applied the decals and then put a clear clear coat over the top. After a week or so, I started the build process, the Sugino crank set was sent to the polishers and look like new, I had some carbon handlebars and bottle cages so decided to use them. The Campag headset polished up like new and Campag Chorus shifters were fitted. Wheels are Hope hubs 40 spokes onto Mavic T 520 rims and they cleaned up well and are shod with a pair of Gator skins. Bull handle bars fitted on the rear, and the new TRP Revox canti brakes fitted. The bike is ready to accept a rear drum brake with all the brazings in place. Cabled it up,fitted some neat flat fenders, done a few adjustments and she's ready to go, may have to sell due to the rear being 1” or 2” to big for my wife, its rideable for her but not ideal.
Photos on next page
Hi all, recently finished refurbing my Roberts Tandem, size 23” x 22” .
Tandem Frame Number is 891 11 so it was built in 1989
When I bought this tandem, it was, to say the least almost ready for the scrap pile (see photo)
I got it back home and stripped every last nut and bolt off it and set to work on the frame with a wire brush on a drill to strip the frame down to bare metal. After quite a few hours i was left with a very clean frame with no rust, pitting or any other defect. What was very noticeable was the quality of the bronze welding, on par with the Taylor's, Longstaff and Swallow cycles. I had decided (or my wife did) on a "Flam Rouge" colour with a tinted clear coat and i must say, when the sun shines, the colour does explode. Following the long process of etch primers, two pack primer, water based base coat, I put a full coat of tinted clear over it, left it for a few days, flatted it, applied the decals and then put a clear clear coat over the top. After a week or so, I started the build process, the Sugino crank set was sent to the polishers and look like new, I had some carbon handlebars and bottle cages so decided to use them. The Campag headset polished up like new and Campag Chorus shifters were fitted. Wheels are Hope hubs 40 spokes onto Mavic T 520 rims and they cleaned up well and are shod with a pair of Gator skins. Bull handle bars fitted on the rear, and the new TRP Revox canti brakes fitted. The bike is ready to accept a rear drum brake with all the brazings in place. Cabled it up,fitted some neat flat fenders, done a few adjustments and she's ready to go, may have to sell due to the rear being 1” or 2” to big for my wife, its rideable for her but not ideal.
Photos on next page