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

There is a 21.15mm size for steerer ID, where the steerer OD was still 25.4mm (1") - i.e the steerer is made from thicker tubing that the regular 25.4mm OD/ 22.2mm ID. Was common on BMX and on some early MTBs and one-piece crank bikes. Not as small as 20.6mm though.

SOLD SOLD SOLD - I guess it was too cheap !?

Sorry for this, I appreciate (and always abide by) the rules, but I did not want anyone here to miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm selling a Carlton Jewel on behalf of Reading Bicycle Kitchen - a Community bike project.

Only 7 were made and they cost more than a Curley in the day ! Interesting pics if nothing else.

£1000 Buy it Now on eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313101717669

Cor!

Egghead, thanks so much for that wisdom! I’ll get him to check his internal dia with this in mind. I was wondering if the old headclip type bikes might have had tiny quills.

Next stop the VCC brigade, to see if there’s an even teenier quill size back in the mists of time.

Superb!

Holdsworth - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184324081191

Cannot figure out the model -

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Is that the frame that broke last year? If so, that's a fabulous transformation, looks great. Was it Winston and Mario Vas?

Yes, that's the frame that I broke last year indeed. Definitely some good came out of the crash. It needed a repaint badly and also needed the rust taken care of. There was some pitting that Mario filled and painted over.

So that also answers your question, yes, Winston replaced the seat and down tubes, whilst Mario re-painted it.

Either a Cyclone or a Typhoon?

looks good. You hear mixed reviews on the paint but he seem to have done a fine job there, so might consider him in the future

would have loved this, but in no way could I justify or afford it so glad it sold so quickly!

It's the 2nd frame I ask Mario to paint and have been happy both times.

First time I ask Winston for a repair, and, from the pics, he's done a great job in replacing those tubes.

This might not be pre 1950’s but came into the possession of this Leach Marathon last year. Friend of mine who’s a builder was doing up a house in ilford and sent me a phot of this frame he had found in the cellar. It has some lovely details and nice that it’s not too far from where it came from. The deceased owner that owned the house was clearly a cycling man and I also picked up about 3 boxes of various chainsets random brakes and tools. Charter Lea, mafac, benulux, Williams, etc I don’t have the boxes of bits with me atm but will post what I have at some point to sell if anyone would be interested. It was quite poignant really the cellar, all his little bits in various tobacco tins and bits in small paper bags.

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nice story that, if a little sad that no-one from his family had claimed them. Really lovely frame too, I love the rear brake bridge work. May be interested in some bits as and when you get them

Very nice! I similarly got a Leach Marathon from a cellar—but given to my by the sole previous owner before he died. The paint was too far gone on mine; Argos did a good job on it, but yours looks like it just needs a wipe with an oily rag. Single speed by the look of it? Pics of mine before & after here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/rsstephenson/dox6Kj & if you haven’t already read it some notes from classic lightweights.

Nice refurb. The frame has what looks and feels like calcium in it. Haven’t tried abutting on it yet. The BB is seized tight / doesn’t even turn. Unfortunately have many more projects ahead of it incomplete to give it much attention atm. Likewise the Jim Guard that I was also gifted years back

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Which was compete when I got it.

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Is someone here selling this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233618305761

Or is this a glitch in the matrix?

Edit: sorry can’t add the picture from my phone. It’s the Hobbs frame that inspired my recent purchase. Wtf. I even messaged the previous seller last week asking if they still had big pictures! Follow the white rabbit ...

Edit 2: added a pic.

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This guys at it again, check out this Bianchi in full original condition, along with all the other frames he has listed....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Bianchi-Campione-del-Mondo-1952-3-Bicycle-All-Original-Eroica/193518584460?hash=item2d0e9b428c:g:dVoAAOSwulde52xL

Yeah amazing collection, I was going to ask which was everyone’s favourite...

Dangerous to have Ebay searches running for things like that :)

Been meaning to say, this is an absolute beauty. I’m a dumbass so I wouldn’t have paid a grand for it, and it’s too big for me, but imo worth it!

Original condition?

So the world champion rode on 27 x 1.25" rims did he?

I've only responded to this because the pictures of this bike bring back a clear memory to me.

I'm with three West Twickenham RC club mates on a day in summer 1960 when we had resolved to ride to Oxford. We all had reasonably good bikes, mine was based on a Rivetts frame (531/Nervex) another was on a Holdsworth, a third on a Cinelli and the fourth on a Bianchi which as far as I can remember, was almost identical to this ebay bike.

The memory of the day which really sticks in my mind was a moment when we had done the climb out of Henley towards Nettlebed and we stopped in the lay by at the top to take stock. There was a strongly expressed opinion that Oxford was too far and we should cut short. I know that wasn't my opinion, and I'm pretty sure it was the Bianchi rider who wanted to wimp out. It was the pro Oxford faction that won the argument. Our Bianchi owning friend did eventually get back to Twickenham that evening, but I have no memory of riding with him after that day.

So, however good the Bianchi is as a bike, it won't solve all your problems!

Sometimes I feel everything is so long ago. Reading @Clubman 's post above, I realize I am but a noob. How gratifying.

Ah been meaning to say, seems like the weird I/D of that steerer was a small fault in manufacture (presumably the reason the tube had been sold off cheap for brazing practice), and he happened to cut the tube at that point.

Thankyou, Harman Mogul, it's always pleasing to hear that something I've written has given pleasure to somebody.

Just for clarity, it's worth mentioning that I was only fourteen at the time.