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

I don't think those lugs were only used by Maclean's, but this certainly looks like a good quality frame with a tragic mismatch of rubbishy kit.

If I lived anywhere near Ely I'd go and get it just to save it to make sure it doesn't end up in a skip!

This has pitched up on cyclechat as well so others are watching :)

seat stays look rather chunky though. I would expect it to have pencil stays, but maybe it's a touring model by a decent maker or a mid-range model?

As @midlife said, it was on cycle chat first and I thought maybe I'd seen the same lugs before on a higher-end '50's Dawes but I couldn't find anything that matched until I spotted this Maclean which is similar but obviously not identical (the seat cluster for a start):

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bikes/macleans-hellon-rb.html

A frame number would be the way to determine if it was a Maclean or not. It's too small and too far away for me though whatever it is...

I think Maclean’s might be the only frames I’ve seen with those tongues on the lugs, but I’m no expert. One popped up on Retrobike a while back, probably about 2 years ago now, which had a very long tongue top and bottom. I’d be interested to see that Dawes if you happen to find it.

I’d suggest a giveaway might be the clip headset. Very very few builders were using these outside the late 30s. I know Parkes were using them into the 50s for whatever reason. Looks like that ‘46 Maclean’s on Classic Lightweights has a head clip and this one does too. Plus the Russ fork and we can see a bit of chrome on the crown under the chipped paint. Very slack seat tube. I don’t think the chain guard belongs with the frame but I do think the frame belongs with the early fork.

It’s interesting. I’d definitely have it if I had space and time to pick it up.

I must've imagined that Dawes with the same lugs as after trawling through the catalogue on VCC nothing remotely similar has popped up.

I'd spotted the chrome, the rear dropout are very similar too. Is that the slightest hint of a decal under the paint on the headtube? ...Gotta hope someone rescues it.

Finally got hold of a Reynolds seat post with a decent length to it.
27.2mm diameter and 12" long. According to their catalogue it was the longest size they did. The to smaller posts are 10".

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That is a lot of seat post. I guess it's because frames from 40s/50s seems to be large compared to todays sizing, so subsequently needed less seat post. What's it for?

Yes, I can't see you needing a 300mm seatpost on a vintage frame of the right size. For the true retro feel, you need to be able to bash your bollox on the top tube when doing a sudden dismount :-o

This. Why did they ride such large frames back in the day? I’d love to find a good HR Morris frame for sale (Dick was my local framebuilder in Walthamstow where I grew up), but they’re all bloody massive. Gah.

A fistful of seatpost was the norm..

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Holdsworth listed as a Cyclone De-luxe but I think it's a Whirlwind, either way it's very nice.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273635180493

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I think too it's a Whirlwind. Lovely frame, everything else not so much

Actually, from:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=362572

and

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/designs/hsholdsworth.html

It seems to be a 1950 Sirocco, before it was renamed Whirlwind.

But, according to the second link, towards the end, that headbadge is thought to be introduced in the 1955. But according to the Excel file, that frame number falls around 1950.

1948 Paris Galibier
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264105791842

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Can't see from the pics on my tablet if the seat stay cluster area is corroded?

So because I'm interested and I just discovered this thread, what's the oldest bike anyone has been using semi-regularly for actual rides?

I have been using a 1950's Elsegood as my city bike for the last few months.

Previously to that I used two other Elsegoods from the same era/touch later as commuters/club runners/general purpose.

When I first started racing on track I used a 60's frame with no issues.

Find a decent old frame thats been looked after and they are perfectly useable day to day.

That's really cool! I rarely see properly old bikes just casually out on the road, but I really enjoy it when I do.

Finally fitted the seat post and if I'm honest the seat post is the least of its worries.

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I commuted on this from time to time, 10 miles each way and used it as my round town bike. 1938-ish BSA Sports with fixed gear wheels built on 1950s hubs. To be honest, it was no different to riding any other fixed gear bike except for the brakes!

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Hobbs £490 BIN with collection from Whitchurch, Shropshire.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F223313851303

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Nice! Very unassuming though, not sure I'd even realise how old the frame is if I saw you in normal traffic... just a good 'classic' look.

1951 Gillott is my oldest.

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Cool, how many gears is that? Also is the white thing at the derailleur a reflector?