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

Is this the one I'd found in a skip on my street? Nice to see this project happening, in good hands with the Vaz team!

Meanwhile, snagged this. Battered but lovely Milremo pump. Needs new washers but that should be simple enough ha ha

2 Attachments

Needs new washers

What's the plan to get new ones? I've got an old bakelite New Hudson pump which could do with a new one.

Going to take it apart later and see what kind of seats / valves are there. Will report back!

Well, that was p*ss easy!
Took a crappy cheap pump apart, off comes the rubbery seal at the end, swapped it onto the Milremo, bingo! Pumplikenew lol

3 Attachments

Great use of spare parts @crossedthread

Talking of parts or components this Holdsworth is sporting a lovely set of Alp levers and calipers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Vintage-Antique-Holdsworth-racing-cycle-deluxe-1948-49-/275011797050?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

As it’s looking likely this will need to go to the seatpost man in Lancashire :( stripped it all down.
Drilled a tiny hole in the top of the seatpost (well, it’s going to die if I can’t free it) and filled the seat tube up with plusgas. Easier to keep it level so as the gas has a chance to seep in.
Nothing ventured, etc.
Took the chance to also do a weigh in.
Frame, even with the post, is lighter than some of my mid-90’s Columbus bikes ha ha

2 Attachments

Assuming your stuck seat post is ali, you should try vinegar.

It's a pity you put penetrating oil in first, because it will tend to protect the corrosion from the acid in the vinegar, but even so I think a week or so should see the pin free.
'Inject' a whole bottle of cheap vinegar through the hole you've made, plug the hole, turn frame upside down and wait patiently.

Bottom Bracket Shell

Probably all lugless frames are like yours, why would there be access to the frame tubes? I doubt very much that the shell is a casting - it's almost certainly just a bit of tubing.
A potential problem here is that if water gets into the seat tube (eg past the seat pin) it can't get out - it will sit at the bottom of the tube and cause rusting - it's not rare for frames to break for this reason. Perhaps it's worth drilling through the shell to allow any water to escape (n.b. bearing would need to be sealed).

try vinegar

Ah, excellent idea, will do exactly that and report back.

Looking for some info on the headset / stem / bars on this bicycle please. I bought it about 10 years ago, was fun riding it around SE London but not used for about 6 years. In two minds what to do with it, not even sure it’s an Elswick? Any help appreciated. Thanks

6 Attachments

Meanwhile, these arrived tonight :)
Just the cables but still nice.
Outers, will head over to Velo Dou I think.

1 Attachment

30s Rensch
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1937-Vintage-Harry-Rensch-gents-cycle-/324882966678?

1 Attachment

Collection only from Cumbria. Beautiful part of the country though and smashing looking bike.

In other news this sold on eBay this afternoon, for £185..!
I know they do normally sell for a good price but I thought this was very high
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOBBS-BARBICAN-LYTALOY-HEADSET-for-Vintage-531-Frames-32-/334209276008?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

This also.!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Brooks-Champion-B37-Model-Alloy-Plate-Saddle-Brown-Excellent-1948-52-/165180416389?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

If you haven't noticed my A.G. Duckett thread in Current Projects, you may find it worth a look:

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/369572/#comment16269334

One small point I haven't mentioned there is that the frame number is 'A 72', so presumably it's Albert's seventy second frame - not really what you'd call large scale bike production!

Poor man’s Allez lookalikes (nearly), pair of Milremo’s in ok-ish condition. One needs repacking but the other is buttery. £25 I thought was pretty good value.

2 Attachments

Having a clear out, haven't ridden it for ages..
Ratty Pathracer style replica based on a 1954 Rudge.
Crafted from the finest gas pipe available, bare metal showing loads of dings /patina.
Gallows seat post, Tan Brooks, Rudge open hand of honesty crank.
Sturmer Archer 2 speed kick shift coaster built into 1970's Westwood style rims 28 x 1 1/2 .
Replica moustache style bars.
Frame is large seat and top tube 60cm.
Built from a mix of modern and vintage parts.
Looking for £150 collected from KT4 or
Will split if no interest !

1 Attachment

Classic! You sure it’s as late as 1954? Those are proper early 30s angles.

It's possible, originally it was a sit up roadster with a fork lock on the bottom lug of the head tube. I identified it from a Rudge catalogue. The pump pegs have been removed and other holes brazed or welded up !

Was bidding on a set of Allez pedals.
They went for well over a hundred quid :(
Today I filled the seat post up with vinegar and sealed the thing.
Bit like making home brew but with less certainty over the results lol

They were super nice pedals though I had them on my watch list also.

Well, something’s happening!

1 Attachment

Has it worked..?

Well, I’m going to leave it another week just to see but the fact that it’s ‘leaking’ when previously it was sealed tight is a hopeful sign!