How to date Alan frames?

Does anyone know how to correctly date ALAN frames from the frame numbers? There's no obvious pattern to the stamp in regards to being in date form and still match the estimated age of the frame. I'd welcome any information or help as trying to get the correct decals - not knowing if it should wear the block pattern or the rainbow pattern - later type? Frame #250607 Thanks in advance.

"How to date ALAN frames?"

Take them out for a cheap meal and if you get them drunk enough drag it to a Travel Inn and do it up the bottom bracket.

Just sayin' /The internest

pfffft!

abandons post

Yeah nice! I was waiting for that to be the first response - you didn't dissapoint :) I can't find anything on the internet regarding this so if anyones got any advice or suggestions for meeting the parents blah blah Seriously...can find very little info on ALAN

Hi unicanitor. This was the ALAN frame I had, it was my first fixed wheel. When I got it on eBay, the seller told me it was early/mid 80s.

You can see what I believe is the serial number in the seat tube, 1293. This may suggest was an earlier one than yours, although bike serial codes don't always work logically, Colnago were notorious for having undateable serial numbers.

I found this thread on bikeforums
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-192930.html
and a lot of guys on there are saying that their mid-1980s ALANs all had 25.0mm seatposts. I can't be completely sure, but i'm fairly certain my ALAN had a 27.2mm seatpost. I think i'd remember having to deal with a weird dia seatpost. Maybe this suggests mine was late 70s/early 80's but I'm really not too sure. It might help us if you posted up a pic of your frame.

I came here with a 'Who is Alan Frames, and is he so much of a nightmare to date that you need to ask us lot for advice?', but Tynan's omnipresence beat me too it. Damn.

tynan is always there for advice when you need it most.

i'm having problems posting up two images in one post, here's the frame

Thanks lpg for the reply - that's a beautiful looking frame there. I've tracked down an email address for 'Alfa' who is the originator of the Alan company so maybe he'll be able to shed some light on it all. The seatpost diameter is 25.0mm and the seat stays are the bolt up type which i believe were the earlier type pre Super Record frameset? Interestingly there are no cable guides or braze on equivalents for gear shifters which is what attracted me to it in the first place. The only markings i have apart from the BB shell are 52x53 which i assume just denotes frame size. I've attached some pics here, maybe you can see something i can't? My main objective is too date it within reason to know the correct decals to fit. Thanks again, Thomas

All I can say is, yours looks more like a cyclocross/tourer frameset, whereas mine looks more like a road racing frameset.. Here's some more pix.

Actually, doing a completed listing search on ebay links you to this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Italian-Alan-cyclo-cross-frame-set-Vitus_W0QQitemZ170414600930QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item27ad8072e2

there are some very similar features to yours


Thanks for you time lpg and the link - i'll look into it some more.

OK NP. Just found an old pic of the bike built up, yep it definitely took a 27.2mm.

Would be interested in seeing it built up if you can post a pic. Has some lovely panto'd touches.

tynan is always there for advice when you need it most.

Did your "infection" scab up in the end ?

aw jeez, how embarrassing! in my defence, it was pre-LFGSS, there was no such thing as Anti-Porn, fixedgeargallery was my homepage, deep V's on Phil hubs were still cool.

Did your "infection" scab up in the end ?

It certainly did, and that special homemade cream you gave me worked a treat.

lpg are those 'head lamps'...?

ha! i was experiementing with my lighting system :)
anyway I got a bareknuckle a few months after that and the rest is history.

The number on the seat tube is not the serial number but the date of production - 1293 refers to December 1993. I have a recently acquired Record - numbered 1088 which would make it October 1988. Numbers under the BB usually refer to seat tube sizing amongst other things.

See this thread for more info http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22654&start=0
-which includes some interesting info on the early forks!

My ALAN Super Record Pista (and most Alan frames I've seen) does have a code for production date, besides stamped frame number (BB Shell) and frame size (centre to centre, seat tube x top tube).
It's ALAN183 and it's supposed to be made in January 1983.

/attachments/19012
http://static.londonfgss.com/attachments/19012d1260868946-p1050342lr.jpg

http://progettopistavintage.blogspot.com

1 Attachment

Frame number 1983 frame:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/HarrieH/Vintage/P1040925lr.jpg?t=1260869641

By the way: if you want to contact Mr. Alberto Falconi ("alfa") and the e-mail address you have doesn't work, you can PM me.
I found out that the "alfa" account didn't work.
Mr. Falconi is always very helpful, as long as you don't ask him to repair a broken Alan frame ;-)

I've heard they can mended using PVA and some G clamps.

Hi unicanitor. This was the ALAN frame I had, it was my first fixed wheel. When I got it on eBay, the seller told me it was early/mid 80s.

You can see what I believe is the serial number in the seat tube, 1293. This may suggest was an earlier one than yours, although bike serial codes don't always work logically, Colnago were notorious for having undateable serial numbers.

Looks like this one is from Dec. 1993. Never believe a seller ;-)
Also more likely than mid 1980's because this one has different lugs, internal brake cable routing, different brake bridge.
Certainly one of the latest not-welded alu Alan frames.

@ Dutch Cheese, I'm very thankful for your information and the correct email address - i just had this email back from Alfa:

Hi Thomas,
the frame you have got seems one of the first Alan Super from the 70's. We don't have any record for that serial number because is too old. Maybe it was made on 1974/1975. For that there's no cable guides. I think , in that period, the cables were fixed by some bands only.
The correct decals for that frame should be the black ones.
I remain at your disposal for more infor.
Regards
Alberto Falconi / Alan bikes