Big ol' Brian Rourke 953

So I bought this frame probably around a year ago with the intention of building it up when I had the funds to buy components which would make it worthwhile!

Since then it has sat in my "bike shrine" above my bed and finally I have the cash to start finding bits for it.

I cant find the email conversation I had with the seller when I bought it, but from memory the frame was built for a semi pro rider. After one race he decided it was too big and got another smaller one made. As a result of this it's in great condition and hardly looks like it has ever been built up.

I just sent Rourke an email asking about it, the only difficulty is that there is no frame number so I'm relying on his memory!

long headtube is long! What are the other dimensions?

First up is I need to decide on a fork. Thinking carbon but undecided on if it needs straight or curved blades. Opinions?

Top tube 60cm, seat tube 64cm and head tube 25cm

I recently bought a pair of these, not realising they wouldn't work with internal headset... could suit?

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/4/0/0/5/2/webimg/683951371_o.jpg

Top bore is 36.8mm so I think it is for a 1 1/4 steerer. Don't know what sort of headset it will take though. Any ideas?

Double post - Flickr and internet is very slow at the moment

For a tapered steerer?

if it's tapered, these are nice and not too pricey

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FOCOFELMC/columbus-fel-monocoque-carbon-fork

So the bore at the top of the tube is roughly 36.8mm which is 1 1/4" according to Chris King and the bottom is roughly 41.3mm

The crown diameter on those fork is a bit big, but other than that they look good if it is a tapered steerer.

Jonathan please send me email or PM re this frame.

I just sent you a message before I saw this.

the paint on this is phenomenal!

In a slightly dramatic twist of fate I probably have a 953 piece of artwork!

Jason sent me a message which basically said that the frame was possibly an ex-demo which they tested and sent for scrap. A few lies later and it has ended up with me.

Crap Internet...

That's rubbish, if it is what has happened.

What reason did they give for binning it?

That's rubbish, if it is what has happened.

What reason did they give for binning it?

I can not remember the history of this frame and would have to see it.
But, sometimes if we get hold of a crashed, faulty or what ever reason frame, if we test a frame for strength or perhaps it's old and we like to see how they have stood the test of time. However we carry out the test, we have to presume that it even if we didn't break it could have been to weakened to beyond a safe point

After a bit of a conversation that's what he told me.

We always offer a free service of checking Rourke frames, I've posted on here before and it still stands and always will be free.
If anyone is ever thinking of buying a Rourke frameset please feel free to contact me via jason@rourke.biz or through the shop 01782 835368 I will attempt to verify it is a genuine Rourke frame and give any history, sizes or specifications that could be available.
Jason Rourke

So they tested it, it didn't fail during testing but it's now judged to be "beyond use" due to the increased risk of future failure, it was sent for scrap but someone pulled it out of the bin and sold it to you before it was destroyed?

I hope Jason doesn't mind me posting it but this is what he sent me prior to that last message.

"woud have to check this but,

I think that this frame was an possibly an ex demo and tested to destruction and sent for scrap. The scrap dealer saw our name and sold it to his 'friend'. He contacted me for information. He said that he was qualified to repair it etc. I explained that it should not be ridden. He said he would use it for only himself. I recommended he never rode it. I left the conversation, with him saying he wouldn't sell it.
We usually crush the back ends of frames in so that they never return to the road. I can't confirm what we did to that frame before it went for scrap. I do notice though that the top head integrated cup has been heated and removed. Now any frame that goes for scrap is de branded and cut into several pieces. I would have to see the frame to confirm all the above. It was certainly not made for a semi pro that found it to big, if we ever did that I'd make the customer a new one free of charge if we ever made a size mistake.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news
Jason."

So sorry to hear that Jonathan...

gutted chap