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

How's this coming along Phillip?

Mick asked a question on the diameter of the axle hole. So I assume he was working on it.
I was 1450km away, visiting my family, but managed to find the required information in an extract from Sutherland's I found online.

Bought some wheels sold as 27" but would appear to be 26".

The rims are Conloy, Front has no markings and rear has Asp 26 stamped twice.

Looking at Sheldon Brown and rim size page https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-sizing.­html

The ISO Bead Seat Diameter is 597mm for
26 x 1 1/4 and 26 x 1 3/8.

These measure 600mm approx.

I cannot figure out how to determine whether I need 26 x 1 1/4 or 26 x 1 3/8 tyres?

Help!

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If it’s 597 it’s 1 1/4 in the U.K.

1 3/8 was 590 over here.

Thanks @BobbyBriggs, I also re read the Sheldon article again and did the maths with the diameter measurement
23.5" x 25. 4 =596.9

Nice to be mis-sold something on Ebay and get better than you hoped!

Edit - N.B. As far as I can tell, not all or even many have the ASP 26/27 stamp in the rim. Are they both 1” wide and similar profile? Even if they’re not both Constrictor Asps at that point it doesn’t really matter :)

Nice to be mis-sold something on Ebay and get better than you hoped!

Absolutely!

Are they both 1” wide and similar profile?

Yes - look to be the same. I'll take the rim tape off and look for any other markings as I think these were stamped.

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Cool. If you're able to, Would love an update in this thread as things progress.

Claud Butler Bi-laminate -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373369761130

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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-MEN-GENTS-HOBBS-OF-BARBICAN-RACER-ROAD-BICYCLE-BIKE-23-5-60-CM-FRAME-/353257008398?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
The seller describes the damage on the down tube as a "small crack".
I think the seller must be on crack!
it's a huge rip and definitely not repairable, without replacing the down tube, obviously totally destroying the original paint work..

Yes, but according to the listing, there are two many dishonest people on ebay. Two, I tell you!

So him and one other.
The components are all hit and miss including the Lytaloy headset, the crown race is definitely not Lytaloy, looks more like Brampton to me.
Anyway this is much better albeit not cheap but check out the adjustable stem.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobbs-Of-Barbican-1951-Vintage-Racing-Bicycle-/224254931334?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Just to add
I'm loving this cockpit, complete Lytaloy headset this time, GB levers specific to this frame as they came out in 1951 and is that a "South of France" bend?

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The recent negative feedback on this seller says it all.

I liked this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124459292561

There are imperceptible small bends in the top and down tubes below the lugs.

Good of the seller to flag it, but seems pretty perceptible :)

Yer, that'll buff out...!

Claud bi-lam 23” 1956 Avant Coureur (I messaged seller)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203201704068

Bit rich at £400 imo, and an inch too big and a couple of years late for me :)

1953/4 Ellis Briggs International in early 1980s clothing in Kirkby Lonsdale. £250

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274575316072

Nice 20" Youngs frameset:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174536466302

Goodness I had a Carpenter just like that second one, in dark green, from EJ Barnes in Westbourne Grove. But it was too small for me, so Derek found me another, more modern Carpenter, that I rode for years, decades in fact. Gone now though, just like the bike shop.

Thought I would have a go at building amother set of wheels while I was self isolating. I have had the rim and hubs hanging around for years so it was definitely about time.
Hubs
Chapter lea. Fixed/fixed, 32/40.
The lock ring threads on both sides were cross threaded, It looks like somebody attempted to screw up the locknut the wrong way. They didn't get far luckily so consequently there wasn't to much damage.
Rims
Comstrictor Asp sprint rims, I think as there is not much to go on in turns of brand marking and I bought them that long ago that I can't be 100% sure what they are. I do know that there is no breaking surface,
They have rattled since I bought them due to nipple washers stuck and wedged inside the rim by dried and hardened tub glue.
Spokes
DT Swiss Competition 1.6/1.8mm, 15/16g double butted. Just arrived from Germany as I couldn't find anywhere in the UK with the right length 294mm. Not 15/17g I know but a compromise.
Everything all cleaned up, Just waiting for the 1.8mm spokes and I can get started.

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These will make great wheels. What are the destined for?

I'm on the look out for something appropriate.

I like that method! Build the wheels first and then find the frame. A bit like the mid 40s-early 50s frame I keep an eye out for to go with my simplex rod operated front derailluer

Seems quite reasonable to me. My Eroica bike started from the derailleur and so did my 'Cyclo' tourer mentioned some way back in this thread.

I've got an excellent pair of wheels with brand new 26 x 1.25" Westwood rims just waiting fot the right roadster frame to turn up - it's turning out to be a very long wait!

I've been looking for a bike to complete this build for a while now ...

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Interesting.........but I can't quite picture what the bike would be like.