A S Gillott - L'Atlantique (I think)

Thanks, Yeah just wire wool and no polish.

Most packets of wool contain three grades from rough to fine and just trial and error as to which grade will shift the rust and then just finish with the fine stuff.

H/S

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Great bike, I can just see faint signs of the frame number on the rear drop out. Any idea? I guess 1950 or earlier judging by the early gb brake levers.

Almost spot on @falconvitesse, 1951.

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Brooks champion swallow

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And

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Little bit of progress.
Uncovered the Fratelli Brivio markings on the front hub-

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Hub flange is a little bit cleaner

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Front rim

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Lovely!!

This is just a year younger than mine (a track path): https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/312130/

Mark Stevens (Gillott man, marque enthusiast for Gillott) is very active on this FB Group:

Gillott Bicycles

Gnutti?

You could be correct as it looks very similar to some Gnutti H/S on Velobase.

Thanks @anidel and yours is very nice also.

I have emailed Mark and provided him with numerous photos and he said -

A remarkable find. With all its original,parts and unmolested. All the nuts and bolt heads look crisp and Unchewed. The frame was built as a stock frame in 1951. They put the year as suffix on stock frames. Because this one has chrome I am now of the opinion they held the frames unpainted until a customer chose the finish. In 1951 there was a nickel and chrome shortage due to the Korean War. Maybe that's why it had to be overpainted due to a thin layer. It would have been chrome all over do you Think?
The chainset is a Gnutti cotterless type with a splined axle. The left hand Allen bolt will be a left hand thread. They are difficult to get off, needing a special extractor, Gary Higgitt has had some made. The chrome on them looks good and is recoverable. Saddle is lovely as are all components, good quality and typical,of the period. Even the tyres look usable. What make are the rims? Chain and sprockets show very little wear. You could oily rag it, new brake blocks and tubes and ride it as a very original ratbike.

Nice!

Toe clips by Ashby of Birmingham

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So good. Can’t wait to see it cleaned up!

Ah, the 39th March 1951. I remember it well...

Identified the rear mech which was difficult to say the least as if you search Simplex rear derailleur on Velobase, there is 50 pages and 104 derailleurs.

It's a Simplex Tour de France (SIMPLEX JUY Bte SGDG; steel pulleys)

Made between 47'-55'.

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=ACAC5D33-9854-446D-90AE-E5D6335643E1&Enum=108&AbsPos=1

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I think the frame number sequences are different on stock frames for this builder.

I took it for a short trip out yesterday (not too far from home on the ancient tyres) and it is a fabulous ride & feels really nicely balanced.

On modern roads and in traffic, the brakes are something else but you quickly become accustomed and take things very easy.

What is unusual is when you go through the gears (up or down) you may need to adjust the front derailleur to suit the chain line - Doing this whilst moving is quite odd as you need to reach right down the seat tube to reach the derailleur and this is quite a strange manoeuvre whilst cycling.

For anyone interested I have started to compile a component list on page 1 as 50s cycling is a completely new world to me.

What are you using to clean up there? Looks great.

Ta very much.

Just wire wool.
Most packets of wool contain three grades from rough to fine and just trial and error as to which grade will shift the rust and then just finish with the fine stuff.

Top tip, cheers

dry?
no cream or whatnot?