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Hi Clubman.
Yes I'm aware that cycle shops used to rebadge frames supplied by more mainstream builders, it causes a bit of a dilemma; rebadge with a guess as to which builder actually made the frame and this of course means the frame number doesn't match the claimed decals used: or, as you suggest use any random badge, but leaves you in the same situation. I guess I could get Lloyds to copy what is able to be read and invent the rest from historic photos. If indeed it does read Bromley Kent and what looks like 'Long' or 'Lond' just above and 'xxxx' cycles in the arch above then something akin to what it once was might be achieved. Thoughts? As you appear to be a preservationist, I thought you may have an opinion? Thanks C
user126665-
The builders were not even necessarily mainstream - some were working in their garden shed!
I feel people put too much importance on the original 'branding' of old bike frames - of course in some cases you know what you've got because of the eccentricity of the builder e.g. Hetchins, Bates, Paris and so on, but in so many cases it's just not possible to discover the origin of a frame once it's been lost. But just losing the original identity doesn't really make the thing itself less desirable, especially if you intend to use it (I hope that is your intention).
So if you want to refinish your frame and you don't feel it would be complete without some name on it, I suggest the best option is to make something up - perhaps that will become your own 'brand'!
As to facts, the only possible help I can offer is that there is a village in North West Kent called Longfield, and it is quite close to Green Street Green which was a cyclists' meeting point for many years. So it's possible there was a bike shop in Longfield, which could be your answer. You might try old Kelly's Directories.
clubman
Your unidentified frame:
I'm afraid I can't identify it, but there are a couple of points to make.
That frame number is remarkably low - if it's really only the 22nd frame from that maker it's not surprising if no one recognises it 70+ years later. Could it be the frame size? I know it seems pointless to stamp that on the fork end, but 'there's nowt so queer as folks'.
Also, remember that many bike shops would have their own transfers which they would apply to frames they had bought from a trade builder. The retailer would normally stamp his own frame number on any frame he was 'badging', so quite possibly neither the number nor the badge will identify the builder. If this is the case you might as well use any obscure transfer that takes your fancy!
On the bright side, that well worn fork end looks as though it belongs to a much used frame, so somebody in the past used it a lot, which is a good indication it will make a nice rideable machine.