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

Posted on Retrobike about the lugs. They’re absolutely barking mad!

Edit: TOTAL. NEW. PAGE. FAIL.

Auction, but it came with two other bikes, 1950s Raleigh Lenton Sports and Peugeot something, both on Retro complete bikes for sale going cheap to offset purchase price.

Oily rug treatment for Maclean once I get around it. Will also swap to 700 wheels to have access to better tyres if nothing else - brake calipers have quite a drop, so that should not be an issue. Not sure of keeping the mudguards, they add to overall weight and make bike more utilitarian, I prefer an old racer look. What say you?

Haha. not sure, will check 😀

Yes thx, seen your post. They are in my eyes quite different to any other intricate lugs, more industrial/square-ish like, rather than curly whirly type, on some my other bikes, like Carpenter, Hetch or C Butler below.

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what's the max speed on it?

That computer originated in the mid 1980s, but somebody accidentally achieved 88mph and it was transported back to the 50s

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now you took ME back in time...wish I had kept some bikes in my early 20s

Swapping the wheels… and keeping them? Just asking

Not sure yet. You after some wheels?

116/110 OLN yes

Ok will keep this in mind. For Hobbs?

I commuted in on the René Herse this morning and it coped just fine. Moving it to 48x18 has made a massive difference and it flies along. The only thing that lets it down is the brakes. The cantis themselves work well but the rims aren't in perfect condition so they are a bit noisy and grabby. But, like with any older bike, you just adjust the way you ride accordingly.

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How far is the commute? Nice to see it used on daily basis...

10 miles each way. Not quite all roses though, I managed to chew the chain up a couple of times on the way home and broke the side plates on about 3 links.

I’m going to post this in the Mechanics and Fixing AMA thread too. I’m wondering if it’s because I’ve got the wrong type of chain. It looks like it’s a KMC Z7 or Z8. I think the flared side plates are making it get caught up on the teeth on the freewheel. Freewheel doesn’t look excessively worn to me but I dunno.

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Can't you just get an old chain off eBay? There's generally some in there in good condition and they should have the specifics your freewheel might require if they are from a similar period.

Picked up this for £10 plus postage off eBay. In quite the state but old Italian frames are hard to find in this country. As you can see, someone has tried to murder it in the past, and bust the seat stay bridge and one chainset. Also needs new dropouts brazing on so it's a long term project, will most likely take it to Winston and Mario one day for a I overhaul if they think it's worth it. At least £200-300 worth of repairs I'd say.

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Dropouts butchery

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Squashed split brake bridge

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Transfers

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I expect so. At this point I just need a cheap, plain 3/32” chain. I took some measurements last night to confirm it definitely doesn’t need a 1/8” chain. I think a cheap eBay 3/32” SS special is next on the list to check my findings. I’m pretty certain it’s because the chain I used is a KMC 8.3 (despite asking for a basic 5-speed chain at my LBS) which is too flexible, too gappy and too ramped for the teeth on an early 4-speed.

Was on sale in school fete, unsold, than someone kindly pointed me to its new for sale location. Picked it up earlier today. All original, one of those - little dust down and off you go. OK will give those Dunlops a little WD40 treatment and perhaps sand down a little layer of brake rubber to gain some braking power.
I know Amalgam sometimes can mean issues, but this had survived 70+ years, so it should be fine I think. Luckily it is sunny this week, so plan to give it a go to find out how it rides and more importantly, does it fit me well and makes me wanting to ride it more? On paper numbers seem right at 22" seat & 22 1/2" top tube.
Anyone recognises chainset, looks similar to Durax? Also the hubs are new to me, looked them up on Velobase - Sprinter by Duralumin

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Wow, that looks mint. I don’t recognise much on that bike though, is it English? What’s amalgam? Is the frame soldered or something?

Yes English - Dayton Elite and Yes, soldered. Most parts are typical of English bikes, GB Maes bas, Lytaloy stem, Cyclo Benelux gearing, Brooks saddle etc. French hubs though.

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For goodness sakes
I might need to move to Slough so I can borrow some of your luck

Ha this one was on your door step though 😆

Ah you’re kidding. No, don’t.