Mercian audax

OK. I got a Mercian 631 frame to build into an audux-type thing. Thing is, its got no number stamped anywhere, although I haven't had a look at the steering column yet. Is it not really a Mercian? Or can it be that the BBs or seat tubes weren't stamped at some points? It's an early Audax, I'm guessing its late seventies ... band-on shifters, horizontal drops, flat crowns with nice V shaped lug thing on top, simple long lugs, some with trianglar cutouts.

Any clues, people?

Ta

i have the same problem with my (apparent) Mercian. no markings anywhere. let me know if you find something.

...(apparent) Mercian ...

that's what's worrying me! I MUST HAVE AUTHENTICITY!

I will be re-enamelling mine at Mercian so maybe they'll tell me whether its Kosher. Either that or the steering colomn will reveal something when I get the headset out.

i have the same problem with my (apparent) Mercian. no markings anywhere. let me know if you find something.

I've just been chatting to a DEAD helpful guy at Mercian. Apparently they did the stamp the dropouts at some points in the past, rather than the shells. maybe you haven't checked there bombadil? Also he said sometimes the stamps can be really really faint, so they can hardly see them themselves. more checking in good daylight required...

just bought this:

To build my first bike with gears since I was 18.

I have absolutley nothing ready to put on it, yet. I am looking for campagnolo or TA Audaxy/touring bits - will be visiting Mr CampyOldy etc, though I'd ask here first:

Band-on front mech
rear mech, I think with a medium to high range (or any tips on what mechs to look for, people?)
cog block (or any advice about gearing appreciated)
maybe replacement crankset
wheels (or components to build em ... open to suggestions ...)
toury-type bars (randonneur?) and short-medium length quill
touring pedals
brakes & levers

basically: almost everything.

I have fiddy dorra maybe more for KNOSS!

Cheers for even reading this drivel
Skully

are you sure its a mercian? :p

Might be worth buying some touch up paint to replace the felt tip covering the "G W Blain" incription... :P

OK so was that you bidding against me sLimJim? Or just a watcher!

Dogs, I'm sure its got Mercian written on it. This much I know.

Cheers for your help and encouragement guys

Well, you'll have a buyer for the Cranks and BB if you want to sell them. I'm staring to build up an old tourer and need both.

Chris.

Out of interest,

What age is the frame supposed to be?

Chris

Well, you'll have a buyer for the Cranks and BB if you want to sell them. I'm staring to build up an old tourer and need both.

Chris.

Just staring at it won't get it built mate.

Well the cranks are rubbed to fuck but I'm sure I'll need em for a while. BB is sort of dependent on what I do about cranks...

Out of interest,

What age is the frame supposed to be?

Chris

ummm...

i'm sure you know but this will help with anything pre 70's http://genetics.mgh.harvard.edu/hanczyc/mercian/mercian_homepage.html

otherwise i think most info on the Mercian website will help date it.

MIne was dated as a 1960 KOM.

Chris

i'm sure you know but this will help with anything pre 70's http://genetics.mgh.harvard.edu/hanczyc/mercian/mercian_homepage.html

otherwise i think most info on the Mercian website will help date it.

MIne was dated as a 1960 KOM.

Chris

Hammo
thanks! i didn't know about this.

I believe this one will probably turn out to be post 1970.

so you think it's after 1970

chris???

so you think it's after 1970

chris???

nimbhy posted this two fridays ago dude. I chose my new 'avatar' as a way of diffusing this 'joke'. It aint actually a picture of me. But well done for keeping the legend alive: that I am, in fact, Chris Evans' better looking and more successful twin brother.

yes I do believe its 1970s. But its just a hunch

Just staring at it won't get it built mate.

Well the cranks are rubbed to fuck but I'm sure I'll need em for a while. BB is sort of dependent on what I do about cranks...

I just realised i'd made an error. Doh!

"Starting to build...."

I think if you can find the serial number, mercian will date it by email.

Chris

I just realised i'd made an error. Doh!

"Starting to build...."

yeah sorry I can't resist a good typo gag

sowwy skullhead, it was the only "chris" i could find, a bit of a double gag, as hammo signs off as chris, it kinda looks like he was calling you chris.....

sowwy skullhead, it was the only "chris" i could find, a bit of a double gag, as hammo signs off as chris, it kinda looks like he was calling you chris.....

sowwy? now you're calling me a baby as well as a cnut (well, Chris Evans)? yeah cheers

cheeky thing I hardly know you

hehe, you coming out thurs??

Would werry much loike to pwease, do dey do farweys wusks at de shippy wippy?

Nice work. How would one change gear on that?????

it was supposed to be a elmer thing.....not sure about farley's, they do beer tho :)

This is true, mine is stamped 27760 on the non driveside dropout. Really faint as well....Buggers!

I'm sure it will go when it's resprayed.

Chris