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

forks

When those Gillotts were made we always referred to the forks as forks. It was the usage then and it still is in my own case, even though I realise that there is logic to using the singular. There are many examples of changes in cycling vocab. the most obvious here being 'fixed gear', which we would always refer to simply as 'fixed'.

Oh wow, it’s properly chewed that up!

Perhaps the most impressive thing here is that, in spite of the damage and abuse, it was still possible to get this ancient bike back on the road with one small replacement part which is still (just about) available.

1940s "gravel bikes"

Great Photo!

Do you think they're actually racing (leading rider looks serious), or is it just a bit of club run rough stuff?

Same year as mine. Mine is track though as you well know!

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Indeed :)

Picked up this interesting frameset over the w/end. It appears to be a rather well known South African builder Deale & Huth, trading under DHC brand. Stamped 351, assuming to be March 1951, judging by lugs and particularly by 95/115mm OLN.

Needs proper clean, than those rust patches sorted, perhaps I'll paint rear drive side tube where most of paint is missing or just polish and wax over. Fixed cup of bottom bracked (Brampton) is truly fixed, but boy was there lots of grease in it, well not complaining about it.

Originally dark blue (I think as some colour cab ne seen inside head tube, most likely repainted in 1986, judging by stickers on steerer tube - Steve Ludlow, 1986. Steerer stamped REYNOLDS BUTTED.
Have posted on SA cycling forum, hoping to get more info - [this is what I found] about them (https://classicsteelandvintage.co.za/south-african-frame-builders/)

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That's nice, rather like it.

Turns out the. Gillott spearpoint I wanted these for us no good so won't be needing them . It was advertised as a 22.1/2 inch (57cm actually) but is in fact a 24 inch c-t-t! Quite the measurement! Also, and worse, it was missing it's forks as it has been in a front end crash- there is a tell take dent/ ripple under the downtube by the head lug . Oh well. On the plus side it came with a Gillott branded steel stem, GB levers and bars, Williams chainset and a 1948 Sturmey Archer AM hub, so these are least easily cover the mighty £40 it cost me. Needs to go though, I have no room to keep it and it needs repairing by someone the right size for it if it can be saved

Ah well...you win some and lose some...at least you're not any worse off. Interested in that stem, care to share the pic?

It's pretty rough. The thinking seems to be this style quality made by Titan and stamps with Gillott. Certainly very similar

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Early '50s looking Condor in an '80s disguise.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267008080430?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Oovn1knTRn2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rLu3GA3cRRy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Ah no it looks fine to me, if you want to sell let me know...

Yep, had an eye on it for some time - seller also had another frame and bits that was £50 but pulled off the sale - with much looked after Cinelli No15 stem...

A few more late 40s/early 50s things from Sussex time trials, Preston Park track meets and so forth

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Brilliant pics

Spectacular

2nd column, 3rd photo up - is that Reg Harris? Who's the Frejus rider?

is that Reg Harris?

Pretty sure it is, but I can't remember who the other one was. It was an exhibition match at HH.

late 40s/early 50s things

Ah, that would have been 2007 when the first couple of dozen members joined and invented fixies.

Great set of pictures, thanks.
There are a few Reg Harris pics there that I noticed.

For younger readers: the track shown with the word 'Dunlop' on the bankings is Herne Hill.

Reg Harris was very much a national figure in the '50s, so for example, if a police patrolman stopped you (and sometimes they did!) and accused you of riding too fast, he would probably open the conversation by saying 'Oh, I thought you were Reg Harris.....'

'Ancient Frame'

It's possible there might be some one here who reads this column, but not the Classified.

I've advertised the frame and Resilion brakes which I used for my Cyclo bike on here under fames for sale under the heading 'Ancient Frame'.

There's been no interest in it and I'm about to withdraw it to advertise elsewhere. I'm trying to have a bit of a clear out and this frame, although not wonderfully desirable, is good enough to give pleasure to some one. The brakes really should go with the frame because Resilions have to match the frame (eg the round forks need the correct shaped clamp), but I would consider splitting.

Below is a pic of the bike as I built it on this frame:

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I definitely do not need another frame , but Glws @clubman.
Im sure ive metioned it before but i love the forks on this frame and I quite like the idea of resilion canterlever brakes but i do not have an appropriate frame for them

That (build) is just terrific.