Youngs of lewisham 'marksman' 1963

Brief intro...

I'm a fairly casual cyclist, bit of errand running, daily fitness ride, getting from A-B. That's all. I clock about 150 miles a week and the occasional big 50-70 mile ride when I have a day to mess around. I do this on a Specialized Single Speed Tricross I picked up cheaply on eBay and spent a hundred quid tweaking.

My wife recently expressed an interest in cycling and I thought it would be great if we could ride together so I set about attempting to build her a bike.

You lot don't know it because I'm not an active forum member, just a lurker but a lot of your threads helped me source parts, learn about how to make this happen and troubleshoot when I hit problems.

So, my wife was born in Lewisham and I happened across a 1963 frame by Youngs of Lewisham in her size and bit the guy's arm off for it.

The parts aren't particularly flashy or expensive and I know I haven't been true to the age of the components and stuff because I deliberately bought modern parts that I could replace cheaply and easily and upgrade if she started to get a lot of use out of it so I apologise in advance to the purists. Like I said, nothing of massive interest in terms of components but if you wanna know, ask away. The pedals were there to get the bike back from the workshop... they've been changed to lovely ones from a Trek commuter bike.

So, the bits that are unique to this bike are the engraving on the stem... "Mrs P" is her name to her friends, the cranks are engraved with the opening lines to 'Unravel' by Bjork - the song we walked down the aisle to and the forks have origami cranes on them because they were the major motif at our actual wedding and they match tattoos that we both have. I'm sorry for the shit pictures.

The powder coat was done at Armourtex, the lug lining was done by my brother-in-law. He also applied the decals which I got from a lovely chap by the name of Bryan Clarke who imparted a great deal of expert knowledge.

So, here's a bunch of shots. I dunno what the standard photos of a bike are meant to be... sorry. Blue frame is 'before', green is obviously 'after'. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pattersonsmakestuff/sets/72157632033160081/show/

When I handed the bike over, my wife cried. Success.

The bike rides like a dream. I didn't want to give it to her!

I just wanted to thank you all for having this forum and for giving me the knowledge I needed to get this together...I literally didn't know what a bottom bracket was until I came here.

I dunno what to do with my time now it's done so I'm now looking for a frameset to make myself one like this and get into it a bit more with sourcing the groupset and stuff so I can ditch the Tricross. There's a 70's Dawes Super Galaxy I've got my eye on on eBay at the minute so I'll be back here if I get it.

Thanks again,

Ian

Fantastic story and a great build, no wonder she was delighted.

I lurked here for a good while before posting and was mightily impressed at the knowledge here, which has already helped me in so many ways with my cycling.

I love these older frames and if I had the space, I'd certainly build one up myself.

I love the amount of work that has gone into this. It needs some gumwall tyres, though!

Ace!

You've got the bike build bug!

Cheers guys.

Lae, I went to my local bike shop for gumwalled tyres and they were fresh out. Being that it was the last thing I needed and I was desperate to see it finished, I rushed it and got these ones. I will change them up though for sure!

Your story is really lovely, I enjoyed reading your thread!
The bike is fantastic too, and modern parts on it do not shock me at all.

Good luck with your own project, I can't wait to see it!

L

I've got a soft spot for Youngs, my first proper road bike was built around a Youngs 531 frame that was a gift for my 13th birthday, I went to the shop to pick it up.
I raced a few Southborough and District Wheelers 10 mile TTs on it.
Sold when I out grew it :-(
Replaced a second hand Roberts that I crashed into an oak tree :-( Left me with a good few broken bones and an empty bank account.

I want to get my Youngs frame re-sprayed at Armourtex. Where did you get the replacement decals from, or did Armourtex source them for you???

Cheers

I want to get my Youngs frame re-sprayed at Armourtex. Where did you get the replacement decals from, or did Armourtex source them for you???

Cheers

Apologies, I just read the OP properly and saw where you got them!

Excited I can get hold of some.

On this forum there are many beautiful bikes, loads of expensive bikes, hordes of fashionable bikes, a multiplicity of ultralight bikes and loads of bikes which are nowhere near as good as their owners think. There are very few bikes with soul. Sir, I salute you!

On this forum there are many beautiful bikes, loads of expensive bikes, hordes of fashionable bikes, a multiplicity of ultralight bikes and loads of bikes which are nowhere near as good as their owners think. There are very few bikes with soul. Sir, I salute you!

Mr bald.....

Hammer, nail, on the fucking head.

I think niche builders of the past should be revered..... That's why I hate puppy killing so much!

Really nice, tasteful bike. I hope your misses loves it, and you find a similarly awesome frame for your own build. Chapeau.