Big Swinnerton track

Bought this chap off Robbiebee and I can't wait to de-rat it!

Contacted swinnerton for some details- they were very helpful!

Swinnerton Track 62x59
Custom built by Mercian in 1978 (apparently with track spec but for a timetrialist- hence front brake and light tubes) out of the scarce 531SL

Its got a tonne of surface rust but underneath all that it has some really nice little touches like the cut out BB and wrapover seat stays.

In terms of build, I was hoping to just build it up relatively sympathetically, though will probs put my omniums on it because I don't want to shell out for new cranks.

watch this space...

I really gonna regret not buying this when it turns out too nice...

dont worry Kjlem, I doubt it will be too nice! just more presentable

Good buy, put please, FTLOG, not omniums....

Love that frame, this will look great de-ratted.

Are you going to replace that dodgy gold headset?

ahaha yeah, dodgy gold headset is actually quite interesting- EDCO competition
used to be well thought of apparently.

Though a bit worse for wear now. May replace it with dura ace or chris king...

Tom you're right it does seem wrong to fit omniums, but they are at least silver so may be acceptable- I'll see what it looks like once its been resprayed

Ok so a few tiny developments. Frame will be heading to armourtex this week (hopefully).

Bought some flashy clothes for it...

Needs a bit of a clean before mounting but hey ho!
Also hopefully have njs saddle + seatpost combo on their way
using this as inspiration...

but not red....

What's it doing at armourtex?!

Nothing wrong with armourtex tom, it's getting a tasteful/resilient finish!

what finish? or is it a surprise?

I thought you were just going to clean up the existing... Redone could be nice.

oh it's got to be a surprise!
I would have liked to just clean up the existing but there is quite extensive rust on one side :s
Swinnerton still exist though so replacement decals will be a doddle.

:( shame to loose that patina. Rub down rust and touch it up?

not sure that's an option, its pretty rusty - also not keen on the idea of letting more rust develop :s

Keep the gold headset please!

Nothing wrong with that rust, bit of Coca-cola (or leading competitor) and some tin foil will take off the worst of it

may give that a go and see what happens! Thanks tim.

Gold headset is definitely going, but appreciate the love for it for a change.

Got some lovely B125s and 1000AA's old SP72+Kashimax

Couldn't help but do a mock build to get an idea of how it will look...just squint and imagine the gold headset is not there...

saddles going a bit bald but I'll wait til it's completely naked before I try and recover it.

ridiculous njs cockpit...

thats toit! im also in the dont respray camp, you only get patina once, IMO it even looks better and you dont care about using your bike and giving it a bit more patina.. colour looks lovely too! gold headset matches the decals quite nice, its all in the details mayne..

+1 for keeping that headset too!

argh bit of a set back! looks like the previous owners botched 'massive-hex-bolt' seat clamp method has ruined the seat clamp.

Anyone know if armourtex do braze ons?! Or do I need to take it to Oak cycles then get it painted later?

Could try Argos. They do repairs and paint

cheers bonor! I bit the bullet and took it to Oak cycles- hopefully should be sorted by tomorrow.

So now repaint is definitely on the cards (due to repair) I need to decide on colour, I seem to change my mind on it everyday!

Good buy, put please, FTLOG, not omniums....

Tom you're right it does seem wrong to fit omniums, but they are at least silver so may be acceptable- I'll see what it looks like once its been resprayed

nothing wrong with omnomonomns on steel frames ;)

Hey Apollo, why didn't you keep your in place then? :)
Looked good though.