-
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?
Jonny69-
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.
-
Amalgam
As I understand it 'Amalgam' was Dayton's word for what was more usually called 'flash butt welding'. The main tubes were mitred, pressed together, an electric current passed through the assembly, and.... bingo, it was glued together!
Sometimes it stayed together, but sometimes it didn't. I guess the quality control wasn't great. Dayton certainly sold a lot of bikes in the fifties - many going to children as a reward for passing the eleven plus exam ( subtext - now you can get yourself to school ).
Amost every one I saw was canary yellow - I've got a feeling this may be an early version, since the finish is more elaborate than the ones I remember.
Some other little facts: Dayton were based in Park Royal, London NW10, the cast head badge with the micrometer motif weighed a good two ounces - I know this because I used a Dayton badged frame as a TT bike which served for all my PBs. I replaced the badge with a transfer. My frame wasn't Amalgam - it was a track frame built with conventional lugs and silver soldered, quite probably by an outside builder, nothing to do with Dayton. They once had a pro track team.
Since this nicely finished bike has lasted so long I guess it must be one of the better ones - I suggest reducing the gearing and just enjoying it.
Foreigner65
clubman
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