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On relection I have two used but useable tan wall Michelins (1 Speed, 1 zigzag) which I would be happy to swap for serviceable black tyres, preferably Schwalbe. If your swaps are better than mine (e.g. new Schwalbes) I'd be happy to make a cash adjusment in your favour.
Getting tyres made would be great if it could be done, but I fear it would involve a large and very risky financial investment; basically a sledge hammer and nut situation. If I really thought it might be feasable I would try to involve the Veteran - Cycle Club and my first port of call would be Veloflex, who make really excellent tyres on a relatively small scale.
Another possibilty for your machine would be to use sprints and tubs, which certainly existed when your bike was new even though Dawes would never have fitted them (although owners might well have done). There are still plenty of rims lying around that nobody wants, and you should be able to find 32/40 spoking to match your hubs. I don't know what heavy tubs cost nowadays, but compared with getting tyres made they would be cheap, and you could certainly afford to throw away any that punctured. As a bonus sprints give an excellent ride.
clubman-
@clubman you asked me if I had sorted out my Simplex derailleur. Well I hadn't and I wasn't going to but your right it will be a useful gear on such a long journey.
So I went on a hunt for some thin washers in the Loire Atlantic region of France today, I thought I could use a washer on the rear axle between the wheel and dropout. This should push the derailleur out enough for it to drag the chain onto the smallest cog. Will let you know how it goes. The bikes running well, saddles still hard, thanks @Big_Block for the info will give this a try. -
Thanks, Clubman, food for thought there. I might write to Schwalbe and Panaracer just to see what a minimum order would be and what cost. After all if they have the moulds etc, it is surely not a huge deal? If they said eg 1,000 minimum, surely it would be possible to "crowdfund" or "viral marketing" sort of process, where forums, facebook groups, VCC, shops, collectors, enthusiasts, cycle-jumblists worldwide etc etc etc are spammed and encouraged to spread the word, and to get a conditional commitment from say half of that number? A pair each for 250 people in the world, surely?
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Thanks, Clubman, food for thought there. I might write to Schwalbe and Panaracer just to see what a minimum order would be and what cost. After all if they have the moulds etc, it is surely not a huge deal? If they said eg 1,000 minimum, surely it would be possible to "crowdfund" or "viral marketing" sort of process, where forums, facebook groups, VCC, shops, collectors, enthusiasts, cycle-jumblists worldwide etc etc etc are spammed and encouraged to spread the word, and to get a conditional commitment from say half of that number? A pair each for 250 people in the world, surely?
falconvitesse
Wakou
Thanks to all for the replies re. my Dawes. I have been wondering. Would it not be possible, somehow, to put it around on all forums, facebook groups etc etc. and gather together sufficient interest to put in an order for a short run of decent tyres in 26 x 1 1/4" tan wall with, say, Schwalbe, Panaracer, Vittoria or even Chan Sen (?) Surely SJS would take a few? Other online shops? Etc...?