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@Jimbonic
Hi,
Just bought this frame. The chap I bought it off thought it was a Steve Elsworth frame. And, since he was a builder for MKM, I tried them, or at least the chap who runs the mkm-cycles.co.uk site. They deny any responsibility! Whilst MKM did produce lugless frames (The Ultimate), the frame number's wrong and they didn't have internal cable routing (in the top tube). So, I'm back to square one...
The frame number is 5207, with 97 stamped upside down to that. It has Reynolds 531 decals on the frame and forks. Of course, they may be incorrect later additions. But, given it has Campag drop outs front and rear, I'm optimistic that they're genuine. I have no idea whether the chrome work is original or not. I suspect that it has been resprayed - the transition between paint and chrome on the chain stays is not the best.
I'd love to find out what it is and what its original build was, so I can build it back up to somewhere near original. So, if any of you knowledgeable chaps and chapesses have any ideas, I'd love to hear them. I've got some other photos laying about, if it would help. Oh, and I can take more specific ones, since I actually own it!
Cheers
PS So, It seems that this could well be a 531 frame. It's definitely thin walled steel. And I've checked and confirmed that the forks match the frame (same frame number stamped on it). A few anomalies that have transpired. Internal cable routing and cable guides under the BB point toward late 80s, whereas the rear OLND is 122 mm, indicating a 5-speed hub. The mystery continues...
Thanks to @ssswinton for some kind assistance.
UPDATE: No, still no idea who built this frame. My latest ideas are that it could be a Philbrook or Roberts frame. They both built lugless and were a bit more experimental back in the day. The lugless frame, under-BB cable routing and 122 mm rear spacing are not so easy to find on one frame...
So, if anyone has any info on how to follow this up with either of these builders, or has any other bright ideas, I'm all ears!
Cheers
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