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

The screw is to replace the twine and make a second functioning shifter to sell and help fund my respray.

1 Attachment

THey went quickly. Were still, available when I tried to check last night, (it wouldn't let me log in or contact at the seller for some reason-I was going to ask them to drop them around my parents house 20 miles away)

Gone this morning. Not surprising really at that price!

My Chater lea cranks arrived over the weekend.
They look great, I bought them as they were described as 170mm, however according to my ruler they are 180mm long.

I hope I'm not being tedious about this, but here we have yet another example of poor imperial to metric conversion.

Chater Lea never made anything with metric measurements - I have my doubts as to whether they'd even heard of centimeters.

These cranks are clearly seven inches. Probably not ideal for fixed on a frame with a low BB.

For me the most important question is always: what length crank is the most efficient and comfortable for the rider?

I think you’ll find they’re 177.8mm.
😉

I’ve ordered a tap and die in M5x1.0mm so I can fabricate my own screw and bushing.
£17 delivered.

Hopefully it’ll work.

Blimey- I’ve got a pair of them on the front wheel of my runabout which is chained in my front garden, had no idea they were so sought after

Rotrax Super Course (I think) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184674746016

1 Attachment

I'd change them if it's locked up outside.

Ha- I doubt the local scallies are interested in ancient wing nuts

Hmm. You've stated the obvious there @clubman.
However its exactly the obvious that I was getting confused with, to the point that I couldn't understand why a 180mm length crank wasn't listed along with 61/2, 6/3/4 and 7 inch cranks in Holdsworth's aids to classic cycling. So thanks for that.
As for my comfort, they should fit me well, I'll let you know.

Incoming saxon tandem photos...

5 Attachments

..

5 Attachments

This is a pretty cool "Cloud Butler"
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cloud-Butler-40s-simplex-Vintage-Bikes/313382204489

1 Attachment

Can I please ask for some advice on mudguards for 26" wheels? I see from this 1955 advert Bluemels advertised 26"/28" on the older models and 26"/27" on the new models (I think) the Lightweight and Club Special.

If the bike is designed for 26" wheels are 27" guards likely to fit? How wrong would 27" look on 26" wheels? Would I have to ride 50 metres behind everyone if we ever did a ride?

1 Attachment

I detect a theme in the product names.

Are you talking about getting some old mudguards or new ones? If new ones, then GB 650B guards in 40mm width fit an old style 26x 1 1/4 (597) wheel nicely (if snugly), as per my runabout Raleigh Lenton in the pic here.

If youve got 1 3/8” width tyres then the 50mm in 650b are the better bet.

27” guards will probably be somewhat gappy and indeed the frame may not accommodate them without some squishing.

1 Attachment

@BobbyBriggs thanks that's good info, those GB certainly look good / in keeping. I was thinking more about period ones though. Do they even ever come up on ebay in 26"?

Yes they do come up- I had an old pair of bluemels I found on eBay before I fitted the GBs. They finally disintegrated though so I decided I needed something more robust for a daily.

Btw Often they’re not listed as 26”- might just be called “vintage mudguard” or the like

Ok thanks again, I'll keep an eye out.

They do come up https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114632677824
The best search is just "vintage bluemels mudguards" as opposed to the model name. The model plate can often fall off and using the above search term should find them.

They do come up @veloham
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114632677824
The best search is just "vintage bluemels mudguards" as opposed to the model name. The model plate can often fall off and using the above search term should find them.

Ok great, thanks.

I bought these for my Cyclone, Look identical to Bluemels Airweight but no makers marks

1 Attachment

Also Bantel mudguards manufactured by B & T Components Ltd.
They look mid 40s and seen better days but great for my Maclean's

2 Attachments

Question is, am I man enough to pair these with my Tobacco metallic ROH? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-BANTEL-26-INCH-PLASTIC-MUDGUARDS-1960S-CYCLE-N-O-S-BABY-PINK/143612821651

1 Attachment