A.S. Gillott owners & appreciation club

The one on the left is 1954 with 27" rims the one on the left is the 46 with sprints note the Longer head tube but shorter forks.

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The steerer after a good polish

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Soon!

Really interesting frame you've got there @falconvitesse

I built up the frame with odds and ends to make sure threads were good and to ensure specs were right.
27.2mm seat tube fitted as per all Gillott's.
BB threads all good. I have had a BSA double tapered set of cranks ready for this for years.
Dropout spacing correct for a set of Chater lea hubs, when I finally finish building them up. I'm waiting for the correct size spokes as I bought the wrong length the first time round.
Steerer seemed very long, however it fitted fine and low behold when I cleaned up the threads on the steerer.!

The frame number, it had been covered in grease, I would never have thought to look there.
So the forks match I couldn't be happier..

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Nice reveal :)

Looks great, looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks, I intend to get the front dropout repaired and get it painted at Argos and then ride it.
Chater/constrictor wheels, BSA cranks, Lytaloy headset and deep drop bars of some sort. Like.@veloham I will go for simple block colour and lug lined.

Argos got back to me this morning regarding the dropout repair and it turns out it will not be that easy.
"I would say the best solution would be a replacement dropout (s)."
Which is a set back.

Nice!! Indeed I wouldn't have expected it there either.

Yes I like that red. Just been googling “1960 red Ferrari” think this Gillott respray is about as close as I’ll get, but that with white lining and script decal is starting to feel right.

@anidel I do like your racing green and gold, nearly swayed me.

Can't beat a red frame. I too would remove the lever bosses, I see nothing wrong with the dropouts, however if I was going to go to all the trouble of respraying the frame I would definitely replace the toptube. Have you asked Argos what.they suggest?

I felt it was a color appropriate for that era.

I did email exactly that question today :) Even trying to be as cost effective as possible it’s going to be several hundred quid. So seems daft if I’m not happy with the result. I don’t know how badly the structural integrity is compromised by damage like this - pretty sure it’s been ridden with it for a while. Anyway replacing the tube is how I’m leaning. Then it’s good for another 60 years!

Any imperfections to the frame will be accentuated once it has been resprayed. it doesn't matter which colour you go for.

I think this must be the J. Dennis who was the original owner of your Gillott.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/track/article/bc20130128-Obituary---John-Dennis-0

As a Norwood Paragon man, it's no surprise he had a Gillott frame.

He was a Pedal Club member from 1950 onwards, although I never met him - a bit before my time.

Advice from Argos is to strongly recommend replacing the top tube, so that's settled.

Good idea indeed

Definitely the way to go

Have you read the John Dennis Obit?

I think it tells you that you've picked up a gem from a vendor who didn't realise what he was selling. Dennis was only nineteen in 1946, but it must already have been clear that he had talent as a rider, so I'm sure Gillotts would have done their best for him.

Presumably he gained his Olympic selection on your frame!

Hi @clubman
It was understood that it was a special frame, however I think it was common knowledge that the forks were a possible replacement after his accident, which broke his collarbone.
This dulled any interest in the frame, not helped by the lack of a frame number on the steerer.
The frame was sold with plenty of paperwork, see pics
Now that we have a matching frame number on the forks it makes this bike a big deal.
What a bike to ride when your 19!

Wow, never heard of these before

This is Jonnie Dennis on his Lap of honour at Herne Hill in 1946 after powering to a new National lap record
Ridden on a Gillott apparently, I can't really tell from the pictures even with a magnifying glass.

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This isn't to far from you @clubman

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Looks like your bike to me :)

That’s a handsome Gillott.
Strangely, although I’d mostly weaned myself off eBay and mid century English Lightweights I had a look at that auction and thought what a nice bike that could build into.
Crazy £ tho.
😶

I have a ‘54 Gillott Fleur de Lys path frame; track ends, mudguard eyes with round fork blades.
It’s a lovely Ron Cooper built frame, but it needs a bit of work and it’s too small for me if I’m honest.