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

Hints on the cleaning of the paint?

Very nice, Hope you remove the seatpost without too much bother.

I think I may have read something by @Big_Block on this topic (cleaning/preservation) but not sure.

The products I used on the original paint were Crankalicious and worked well. The wash and wax I guess nothing particularly special but the Mayo Jaune has a mild cutting compound that helps bring back the lustre of the paint. Most important thing is to go easy and test somewhere unnoticeable! I tried really fine steel wool to try and take off the patches of yellowed lacquer (on advice of someone that does a lot of this and a great job of it) but that was just taking off paint, so I stopped sharpish!

That’s my 2p. Certainly can’t claim any expertise but I would use those products again.

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I've used this before with very good results -
https://www.autoglym.com/paint-renovator

But I used it on 80s-90s paint and I would be cautious about using on earlier paintwork.

I think so too, I remember someone mentioned somewhere the technique they've used. I'll do a deeper search.

And those stubborn cotter pins

Valuable 2p :)

So I just won the Blue Riband tandem that come up on ebay.
A perfect match to my other Blue Riband.
Anyone got any classic tandem builds for inspiration?
Not sure how to tell the family there's yet another bike arriving.

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@ElGato Bates is a good one for starters
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/312622/

The Blue Riband (bottom photo) is wonderful, Original paint ?

Although ,Is the Bates too early?

Glad you got the Hobbs.

My Paris tandem is a 1949. That came as a frame too. Unfortunately it doesn't have the original finish like yours (repainted the previous owner). Handlebars are GB, cranks and chainrings are Williams. I used Mafac Racer centre-pulls as Alvin Smith from the VCC told me that was a very common upgrade on tandems. The rear wheel is a 1949 Sturmey Archer AW hub with a Cyclo 2 cog converter. A Cyclo Standard derailleur is used to change between the 2 cogs. I could only get a standard cable for this originally, but I have now obtained a tandem length cable that I can fit. This gives a useable range of ratios and makes the bike very usable. Both rims are Weinmanns and both seats are Brooks with round logos (means pre 1955 I think).

I hope this gives you some ideas!

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Blue Riband is a beaut.

That looks great.

Pump update.

I fitted the leather washers as per eBay seller’s instructions, slightly edited here.

• Hold leather washer under luke warm water for 10 seconds
• Assemble onto the plunger of the pump; cupped washer/leather washer/small metal washer/ screw
• Gently work the washer assembly into the pump (it should be a tight fit - especially getting it passed the threads in the open end of the barrel)
• Add a little light oil to either end of the pump barrel
• Screw pump back together
• Pump the pump with a finger over the end to spread the washer and coat the inside of the barrel with oil.

I now have 2 working pumps - both compress perfectly.

I didn’t take pics of the process because I didn’t realise I was the kind of person who posts this shit online - but apparently I am.

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Fitted a new, mystery hollow axle to my Paragon today. Seems to knock a few ounces off and gives a MUCH better chianline. I knew the chainlink was a bit off, but hadn't realised this was because I was using a Bayliss Wiley no14 axle-intended for a double. I had intended to fit a Chater Lea no 1007, of which I have two, but it turns out the spacing between the axle cones is far too narrow for normal bottom bracket shells. I'm not sure if they were intended for Chater Lea oversize Bottom Bracket shells and oversize 5/16th Bearings, or maybe for Tandems or something. If they are of use to anyone let me know...
I don't think I ever posted detailed pictures of the original finish on this bike, but seeing @anidel 's Holdsworth reminded me of it as they are a similar colour and with similar double box lining-all be it I think mine is more faded and so won't clean up much more than it is already. I have though to give it a clear coat/lacquer to protect what's left-if anyone has a recommend brand/product for this please do tell....

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please excuse the wetness-I'd just been for a shortish ride in the rain (Risky on cheap tubs!) to check the cotter pins were firm.

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Another lovely bike.
I have the same CL BB axle in a box, I thought the same, that it must be for oversized balls - thicker cups.
Something.

I love the look of a hollow axle on a cottered crank. My Magistroni BB has a huge hollow through it, you can use it as a telescope.

An actual camera‽

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terrifying picture when you see it like that! A very old digital slr-I have no smart phone and my phone camera is not good at all.

That'd a great color. I hope mine gets as vivid

I think it should. It looks to me like yours is just covered in grime/dry grease etc which should come off with bit of (gentle) work I'd think. Should come up lovely. I'd love to have seen what their original finishes were like- a kind of deep orange/gold flamboyant I think-hardly subtle!