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

Not much help, but I've got the same fork crown on a Holdsworth.

Thanks for your reply on the bike!

I've checked with the seller and the wheels are in fact 27", like you suspected. Very good news. The top tube is a bit long for me though, so I think I understand now why the stem reach is shortish. It's 22.5" c-c. Need to think that over. 22 would normally be my maximum, but maybe it's not the end of the world.
Sorry your offer was rejected.

the wheels are in fact 27", like you suspected. Very good news.

For me 27" wheels are never good news (see my comments passim).

However, that Gillot looks a bargain. It's a classy frame with some good (and some bad) kit.

The top tube isn't especially long for the frame size. When you say 22" would be your maximum, what length handle bar stem do you have in mind? This bike comes with a short stem and it would be possible to go shorter.

Looking at the photos, it's clear that this machine did not belong to a 1st cat. roadman - the position looks all wrong, with the handlebar stem too high (it should never be above the nose of the saddle) and the saddle too far back. Just five minutes work with a spanner would make it look far classier.

I don't think it's ever certain whether or not a particular frame will really suit a particular rider; my experience is it's best to suck it and see. If you think you have a use for this bike and you can get it anywhere near the price mentioned - go for it!

It wasnt a problem as the bike is definitely to small for me. I just thought it was a bargain. It has got some top quality kit fitted so i definitely think its worth a punt.
As for 27.1.1/4...! terrible for any long distance stuff but i use a set of alloy 3240 weinmann 27.1.1/4 attachwd to harden hubs with schawbe maraton tyres for commuting and i wouldnt swap the set up for anything.

Hmm, am starting to think it might be, the lug wraps on the front of the head tube are strangely familiar…

Hah, had to smile when you wrote a period and exclamation mark after the size: the .1.1/4 really got my eyes glazing over.

Thank you for your very helpful reply. Just had contact with the very nice seller and he is open to packing for posting. I shall see how the bidding develops, when the time comes. The bike has this reserved beauty about it. Really nice. I know what you mean about some of the parts - the saddle hurts my eyes. A nice old Brooks or similar would go a long way already.

About sizing, my old Daccordi fits me like a glove: 55cm c-c top tube and 55ish c-t seat tube. It rides like a dream with a bit of rake to the forks, but the frame (Columbus SLX) is so light, I feel the bike struggling under the stress of just a small Carradice saddle bag. Maybe a Reynolds 531 frame is stronger. With a 55cm c-c top tube, I can have a 10cm stem and feel confident. Nothing 'nervous' or twitchy about it. The drop bars are I think 42 wide. The spine around my neck area isn't ideal, so I guess a 57cm top tube leave me wondering. Anyway, let's see. Good advice, thanks again!

Mind you check the back of the crank where it joins the spider... I had a set of those old Dura-Ace cranks and it turned out they were toast, lucky I didn't find out the hard way.

Ah, well. I was outbid in the last seconds. Perhaps I had advertised too much here, haha. There was such a flurry of interest, I had to retype my offer and typed it wrong, then retyped...and it was all over. I'll bet whoever got it is laughing - at £161,00 the price was still low.

Must admit though, I would have been paying for the frame mainly. Some parts I had, others I would have bought over time. I thought the black components a shame here. I already had a 50s red Flying Scot in mind that I'd seen online as my inspiration for the Gillott parts.

Nevermind, another will come too in time.

Thanks for your concern and suggestion!

Here's another suggestion: if you do much bidding on auctions at eBay, it's definitely worth enlisting the help of a sniper. It doesn't contravene the ToS.

This one is free: https://www.gixen.com/main/index.php

Sorry for my late reply...and thank you! Yes, I need to up my game, ugh.

So you use this program?

I've used it, it's less hassle than the browser plug-in I tried previously. If I remember right, this one is just a website you join, and you just give it your eBay credentials and set some settings.

I think I went with three seconds till the end of the auction; not sure if you can reliably get closer.

Message from a friend of mine below, its miles from me and i have no idea about the tandem but if anybody is interested let know. I also have no way of garnering any more info unfortunately..

Tandem bike at one of Grace’s families house, they have said it is going to be chucked out and if anyone wants it they can! Only issue it’s in Hemel Hempstead. I don’t have a house for it to sit in, but it’s in really good condition for a vintage bike, anyone interested?

Any info and pic available? Hemel is 1/2 hour away from me...

Not helpful i know but i have no info as yet.

👍

Thanks! Yes, 3 seconds is really tight. Will check it out.

stupid question - I want to put some mudguards on my old Freddie Frubb fix, but my usual bolts (M5, I think) don't fit - hole measures about 3/16"? what do I need & where do I get them?

Kay's Fasteners (kayfast1 on eBay) is my go-to supplier but they mostly deal with metric stuff.
2BA would be my guess, but with Imperial thread sizing you're heading down a rabbit hole.
If the problem holes are in the guards I'd be tempted to open them up with a tapered reamer when no-one is looking...

Just got home with my repainted 1938 Holdsworth road/path frame. Crappy rushed poor light pics only

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That looks fab.

These are cheap and may work ?
https://www.condorcycles.com/products/sks-mudguard-mounting-kit

Superb

Never mind the frame - Jesus wept that’s a clean kitchen