'60s Gillott project bike - how it turned out

Just thought the thousands of you who offered advice a couple of weeks back might like to see how it turned out. Built it up today, and am loving it. It's a 1965, Ron Cooper-built Gillott in 531, simple lugwork, original paint and decals, lots of original Campag gear (but a bit less now) and plenty of scratches, but I like a bit of patina. Massive thanks to Andy from Fixed Gear London for the help, for building the rear wheel same day and for selling me the right bits at Cavendish...

And to think I was considering buying a Langster London before I found this forum. Seriously, thanks.

This is how it started...

Here it is nekkid...

And here it is fixed...

nice one fatbloke.

maybe a white saddle, too? or brown handlebar tape...I think it would look much better.

That's top-notch, fatbloke.

Bet yer glad yer didn't splash the cash on a Wrongster now...?

Yeah, def planning to get a nice white saddle on there - that one's from Charge. Looks nice, but agree it's not quite right on this bike.

And I did buy a Wrongster to chip about on while I was sorting this one out, but not the Wrongster London, just a standard '08. I know you'll all crucify me for this, but I really like how it rides. Makes me go all feral and sweaty.

In fact, I like it so much I might ride it to Heathrow for an early flight tomorrow, as my shitty hybrid car is telling me it has developed a malfunction, which I suspect it will take more than a boxwrench to sort out.

This dude has a couple.

The San Marco is gorgeous.

San Marco

Turbo

that gillot was nice enough to keep as was and ride. but having said that, you've done a lovely job fatbloke. it's a sweet conversion.

well done. if anything, go with a white saddle.
the white on (lime?) green color combo looks really nice.

Yeah she's purrty!

I hate white saddles but do as you must. : )

fatbloke don't apologize the gillott is lovely, and everyone needs a right now ride while they prepare the perfect the one.
Personally I'd keep the white bar tape, and the brown seat, sometimes matching can go a step too far. Looking forward to seeing the bike in the flesh...

thankgod you didn't re-paint it. beautiful!!

roberto or freshtripe, for white saddle at good price ;) . will set it off nicely

i might take that brown saddle of your hands...it's made by Charge, you say?

well sweet! my green vitus saw your gillott she's dying to meet up... same colour scheme :)

Lush..... I love the green, very similar to Apple Green – A ltd colour they did the Lambretta LI125 Special in.

cornelius blackfoot fatbloke don't apologize the gillott is lovely, and everyone needs a right now ride while they prepare the perfect the one.
Personally I'd keep the white bar tape, and the brown seat, sometimes matching can go a step too far. Looking forward to seeing the bike in the flesh...

ditto

Can't agree more, she's a beauty. A white saddle would look cool, -bars, panels, saddle. It all fits. Thank god you didnt respray it and well done for stashing all the original bits. Do let me know the frame number and the size of the frame from bottom bracket axle centre to top of seat tube. I'll add it to the Gillott records I keep for the Veteran Cycle Club. Any other Gillott owners want to chime in?

yeah, iv got a gillott, its a 1967 track made for balham cycles, ill get the frame number in a second

Nice work fatbloke. I think the paint looks in wonderful nick in your photos. I've recently finished a '61 Claud Butler 5 speed to fixie conversion - mines a more chipped than this but like you say, 'patina' is all good.

I notice you've got OpenPros on there... were the original rims 700c as well?
You've reused the original front hub I think - what is it?

Enjoy it.

But where are the mudguards?! ;)

Nah don't change a think! I like the brown saddle and white tape, keeps it looking a touch vintage.

SküllheadWilderness I notice you've got OpenPros on there... were the original rims 700c as well?
You've reused the original front hub I think - what is it?

Front wheel is what it came with - 700c old-skool Mavic rim on a Racelite hub. It had a Campag qr skewer, etc, but swapped that out for something non-nickable. Not sure if that's what it was built up with 42 years ago - I've only had it for the last fifteen years, since I was eighteen!

But where are the mudguards?! ;)

I have a dull, dark green Langster for when it rains. Pretty bike only comes out in the dry. I am a ponce, I admit. But fuck, it rides nicely - the rest of my 'collection' is feeling a bit neglected.

fatbloke [quote]SküllheadWilderness I notice you've got OpenPros on there... were the original rims 700c as well?
You've reused the original front hub I think - what is it?

Front wheel is what it came with - 700c old-skool Mavic rim on a Racelite hub. It had a Campag qr skewer, etc, but swapped that out for something non-nickable. Not sure if that's what it was built up with 42 years ago - I've only had it for the last fifteen years, since I was eighteen!

But where are the mudguards?! ;)

I have a dull, dark green Langster for when it rains. Pretty bike only comes out in the dry. I am a ponce, I admit. But fuck, it rides nicely - the rest of my 'collection' is feeling a bit neglected.[/quote]

Nice hub. Is that like Airlite, by British Hub Co.? OK I didn't really look at the picture, so the front rim's still the old one. I have been pissing about with 27" wheels recently - I'm glad for your sake you've got 700c. There's no rims around and hardly any decent tyres to be had.

No you wouldn't want to put mudgurads on that beaut. I was only being cheeky. Not at all poncy, if you have a 'hack' too. I'll say hullo if you see you about on that...

SküllheadWilderness I have been pissing about with 27" wheels recently - I'm glad for your sake you've got 700c. There's no rims around and hardly any decent tyres to be had.

SJS is your friend ;)
rims - http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-27-rim-(630)-170.htm
tyres - http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-27-(630)-203.htm

Really nice Fatbloke. Love the colours. What bars are they?

That sure is purdy, very classic looking. I liked it with gears too...

eek-a-Mouse Really nice Fatbloke. Love the colours. What bars are they?

Thanks. They're just boggo ITM drops, dug out of the stock room at Condor and bought for a surprisingly low price. Think it's the fat Bontrager gel tape that makes 'em look good. I like thin tape - or none at all - but can't ride for long that way in town.

Yep I agree. Think the tape looks nicer than 'nude' bars esp with the chunkiness.