New project

Finally picked up a 60's 531 track frame I'd heard about a few months back from a distant family friend (replete with mudguard eyes & drilled for brakes front & back - it was made to spec!). It's a bit tired & rusty though feels sound, however needs blasting & stove enamelling but don't want to pay too much as hoping to spec bike and get in decent running order as cheap as possible (as much 2nd hand as possible). If I can make out the head badge I think it says Stows of Ealing.
To give me the option I might go flip flop hub (will one fit? How much can you cold set the rear?), F&B brakes. It was 27" wheel size but for cheapness & convenience I think I'll try to fit it up 700c.

23" BTW, usually ride 24 & 1/2" on a geared road bike.

Am I on a hiding to nothing? :-/

"replete with mudguard eyes & drilled for brakes front & back - it was made to spec"

this is fairly common for english track frames from the late 50s and early 60s. it's in keeping with the idea of a winter trainer, and lots of time trials were ridden fixed.

all your ideas sound fine. you'll need a deep drop front brake if you fit 700s, and it's quite hard to get bolt fitting brakes these days that are suitable. you'l def get better wheelset if you go 700, but it won't fill out the frame as much. you won't need to cold set if you get the right size axle.

sounds nice, should be a fun project.
pj is on a similar (but earlier) vintage build mission, and dogsballs might be able to help.
I would suggest putting 27s on though, they just look right.

Is there going to be a cost , quality & availability issue if I go with 27" though?

Some rims are Heavy

sjs cycles do heaps of 27" stuff, 700c look weird.

This is how it will look with 700C
Notice the space gaps. You will need LONG reach brakes

Ah OK, is SJS in London and/or is it internet based? Any kind soul got a link before I Google it? I work at Blackfriars end of the Embankment (commuting in from Chingford E4) just in case it's anywhere near me.

So no problem sourcing tyres, tubes also then?

fuck, google takes 2 secs!!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-27-(630)-203.htm

heaps of 27" everything ;)

ooooooooooooo temper temper!!

you can lead a horse to water, but ................

This is how it will look with 700C
Notice the space gaps. You will need LONG reach brakes

it won't quite look like that, the geometry will be tighter, the BB higher, and it will have tyres. you will need long reach, but not necessarily LONG reach.

dale sourced Rigida 27" rims for me.

i got hold of 27x1 panaracer tyres, narrower carcass than 27x1 1/4.

it's possibl. 700 wheels will be better, more functional, quicker, lighter, 27" wheels will look way better.

All down to aesthetics then. Sorry dogsballs I'll have a look on SJS site, I was at work dipping back into forum but we are policed for internet time & useage at work - Big Brother is alive and well.

Zumazet then, won't be swinging by on my way home then!

LONG reach brakes, with old-style bolt fitting:

http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m9b0s289p204

those are like the acor brakes. nasty.

As far as wheel size & B/B height etc, I suppose it would make more sense to try & run 27" then? Especially as the frame is 1.5" smaller than my usual. I'm long leggedy but if I have the option to run fixed should I go for shart crank arms from the off like 165mm (to the ends of the cranks not the pedal thread drilling)?

Sorry, if I'm going on just want to bounce ideas around though.