Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

Maiden ride on 1955 Jack Holland
V-CC Cambridge ride last Sunday

Was really looking forward to riding it, but it was a bit disappointing. A shame really as it is a nice 1950s TT frame, lovely (originally fully chromed) forks and Nervex Legere lugs. Frame is just a bit too small for me at 22.5" - I think I prefer a longer wheelbase as well. As it was not original, the frame and forks will come up for sale, components will go on other projects.

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Hookless rims so old its actually modern.

Does anyone have a 24mm clamp area handlebar. Drop or swept back for a path racer type build. The bars i have are either way to deep and 24mm or 23.5mm and swept back which i like but coke can shims are not keeping them still over bumps.

Or a 27mm titam stem. I have a lovely set of kint drops to this standard. Can anyone help.

I will call this finished (for the time being)

the project is at http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=87348&p=1392208#p1392208
It is a 1952 (British) EA Boult.

That looks great Phillip!

Saw @Skülly 's Jack Taylor on Saturday, its lovely.

Happy birthday btw Skully, I hope you got that birthday beer in the end!

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So it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to find a Lytaloy axle before I build up my Blue Riband. I seem to recall however that there was another cottered bb axle that was either hollow I'm the middle or had large scoops out of either end. Anyone care to remind me what brand they were?

one option is the Bayliss, Wiley Hollow Racing Bottom Bracket axle No 23R "the Featherweight"
see http://veterancycleclublibrary.org.uk/library/dl.php?doc=Perry%20-%20Bayliss%20Wiley%20catalogue%201953%20(V-CC%20Library).pdf

BW probably the safest bet. I think there was a model 15R as well.
Cyclo made them as well, not sure if the spindle diameter is the same...
TDC is another option.

Cheers @Big_block and @velo6, the Featherweight was the one I was thinking of. If anyone has the axle or indeed a whole BB, let me know!

@Ecobeard aw shucks. tbh this bike's a bitch to ride as I'm so old, really need a busted brake lever to make the body into a dummy lever, need another hand position ...

Anyone got an oldish style lever that's somehow broken from which I could use the band-on body part?

Bump for a broken brake lever!

Sure, I've got some GB Hiduminium (sp ?) ones that you're welcome to. I'm SE.

Great, you got an actually broken one? Don't want to ruin a working antique!

For sure, I have a broken Hiduminium one and a broken Superhood one awaiting an occasion such as this. In the process of moving house at the moment . You OK to wait till the 20th March as everything is in boxes at the moment?

Hello,

My name is Matt, from Washington State, U.S. and I am new to FFGSS. Here is my contribution to this thread. It is a 1937 Hobbs Continental.

The bike by NBend, on Flickr

P1080140 by NBend, on Flickr

P1080138 by NBend, on Flickr

It is ridden sparingly
Riding the Hobbs puts a smile on your face by NBend, on Flickr

Last time being a 110 mile gravel adventure in Montana at the Cino Heroica bike rally last September.
Me descending on Day 1 of Cino (Tim Davis Photo) by NBend, on Flickr

After it’s cleaned up it is allowed by my wife to be proudly displayed inside the house
light n shadows by NBend, on Flickr

After it’s cleaned up it is allowed by my wife to be proudly displayed inside the house

As it should be, it's lovely! Welcome to the forum!

Been building up my Paragon Andy Bone last few weeks, finally took delivery of a GB 531 Stem today to match the lovely chrome bars curtesy of Skülly. Can't decide what colour cotton tape to use- was going to use red but it just looks to bright and new against the faded old/yellow flam paintwork. Tried black which is ok but not sure- some photos of this below. Was thinking maybe Green or Blue but again worried will appear to bright against the faded paint/decals etc. Any opinions/ideas please?

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bars and black tape

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.

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Hard to photograph the original colour in inside lights. The original ebay advert shows the colour better:

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Nice fork crown and box lining, lols lovely, I vote to stick with black tape!

Gorgeous ride ! Wish my wife was that understanding!

I like the patina!

The paintwork looks original. A respray would take decades to achieve the same result.

Are those wood rims? Does the Osgear work reasonably well or does the chain tend to come off the chainring at the front?

Keep with the black cotton.....and ride it in the sun! It will soon fade to a more acceptable colour.
Failing that, a brown or plum cotton.. If you apply shellac to it, it changes the appearance and looks 'older'.

yeah I reckon I will stick to the black, it's growing on me. . Where do I get shellac from?-can you buy it ready mixed or is the only way to mix it yourself, which seems a bit of a faff and I'm not sure cooking it up in the kitchen will go down to well with Mrs Jeff