The Golden Age

The Wembley six day track certainly spent some time at Earls Court for exhibition stuff, may have been transported to Southampton after that.

http://www.oxfordcityrc.fsnet.co.uk/training/calshot.htm

Mmmm Calshot... my favorite track, however the older one deffo had character, such steep banking it seems so much shallower now.

This is cool

Looks like Hugh Laurie.

I'd love a Flying Gate. Its just the whole concept that I find attractive. Its been said to be heavier, and that is to be expected, with the extra tubing. However, just to ride a really different frame, with the added benefit of much reduced torsional flex, and increased pickup - I'd buy one.

I've written to the Sole Dealers for Rigida DP18 rims, and that interest has started the wheels turning, and different coloured rims are being investigated, for import here. So, proof, that interest can make the difference.

Anybody interested in a Flying Gate? If its more than a couple, they might have a re-think. I have no idea of the current frame price, but it used to be £330.oo as standard. I think £500 would be fair opening offer, for such a specialised and unique frame. I mean, how likely are you to see someone else on one, and even then, you get to choose your lug designs and overall colour scheme.

Speak up, or forever hold your pee.

the wiggly chain stays and forks are often to advertise the frame builder. back in the day, when road racing was semi-illegal, races used to be held but anonymously, as time trials. riders wore black and had no markings on their bikes. however, wiggly chain stays and forks indicated to those in the know who was riding what. I think I got this from dave moulton's blog, but can't find it now!

Ah, found it now! Check the bike in the pic. Here's Dave's comment:

"That is a Bates frame and that style of fork was their trademark.

When you saw one in a photo like this one you knew it was a Bates frame. The Hetchins curly stays was done for the same reason.

Frame builders could not advertise that a top rider was riding on their frame, but a distinctive feature like this one did just that."

There is hope for getting a Flying Gate, but one would have to be patient. I certainly would be. Trevor Jarvis (of T.J. Cycles) wrote me and explained that the wait is currently just under a year.

That's one of ASM's bikes isn't it ?

I wish!

It does look oddly familiar, especially from the thumbnail.

Funny how the Pashley Guv'nor tries to recreate a period from so long ago, thats its nearly forgotten.

Check out the saddle designs from back then also.

AND, the Star bicycle company built an 18lb Pedersen back in 1898!!

http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/Star.htm

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Olde Worlde manufacturers
http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/bicycles.htm#Star

Go on, have a look........it is quite good.

they are just a pinch of wolverhampton based builders.

Everyone knows coventry was where it was at.

If your into this kinda thing, you should go visit Coventry Transport Museum. They have a bike collection.

My current bike is a Cov Eagle.

skeletonboy, see if you can find some links for the pictoral history of Coventry cycle manufacturers, and post it. I'd be glad to see it, and I'm sure others would too.

I emailed Trevor Jarvis today to ask if he had indeed retired, and he wasn't happy that there was talk (https://www.londonfgss.com/thread29-134.html) of that having happened. This was his reply.

From: <Jarvistandp@aol.com>
To:
Date: 28/10/2008 16:50:43
Subject: Re: The famous Flying Gate

***Hi A___, ***

Many thanks for your kind remarks. No, I HAVE NOT RETIRED and I get fed up with people who like to know better than the rest. Would you please get onto that forum and say that I have not yet put my tools to bed. Could you also tell me where you got the info from. The last Jubilee model will be going to Norway in July next year as agreed with the customer.

Why don't you put your name down for one or let me know the size of frame you ride just in case a second hand one comes on the market.

Regards

Trevor

So all is not lost for those, like me, that hanker after a T.J.Cycles Flying Gate. Yes, all the Jubillee special edition models are sold, but the normal Flying Gate is unchanged, and can be ordered with track drop-outs, or even as a tandem.

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yeah i used to love golden axe. especially kicking the shit out of those thieving blue bastards.
i never manage to complete it...i always got beaten by the giant knights.

I emailed Trevor Jarvis today to ask if he had indeed retired, and he wasn't happy that there was talk (https://www.londonfgss.com/thread29-134.html) of that having happened. This was his reply.

From: <Jarvistandp@aol.com>
To:
Date: 28/10/2008 16:50:43
Subject: Re: The famous Flying Gate

***Hi A___, ***

Many thanks for your kind remarks. No, I HAVE NOT RETIRED and I get fed up with people who like to know better than the rest. Would you please get onto that forum and say that I have not yet put my tools to bed. Could you also tell me where you got the info from. The last Jubilee model will be going to Norway in July next year as agreed with the customer.

Why don't you put your name down for one or let me know the size of frame you ride just in case a second hand one comes on the market.

Regards

Trevor

---

So all is not lost for those, like me, that hanker after a T.J.Cycles Flying Gate. Yes, all the Jubillee special edition models are sold, but the normal Flying Gate is unchanged, and can be ordered with track drop-outs, or even as a tandem.

What an idiot I am.

I sent an E-mail a while back enquiring about pricing for formentioned frame, and while waiting for a reply I read on his site about an up and coming meeting of flying gate owners, one of which was coming from Norway to pick up the last to be produced. Must have meant the last jubilee frame. When did'nt recieve a reply (as is often the case with framebuilders, who have better things to do than sit in front of a PC all day) I assumed he'd stopped making them.

Anyway much sorryness for the misinformation (apparantly even my typing is faster than my brain!), and I'm chuffed to hear he still framebuilding. I do however feel extra thick for not checking properly before jumping the gun and ordering elsewere.

(Also posted in bike porn thread)

yeah i used to love golden axe. especially kicking the shit out of those thieving blue bastards.
i never manage to complete it...i always got beaten by the giant knights.

My brother and i got given Golden Axe and Raiden arcade machines for christmas by an uncle when we were nippers - fucken awsey.

I will take on anyone in the universe at either :)

i bloody love hetchens bikes. i see that curly stayed picture knocking about alot, it is lovely. if i wanted one made, who would do it? i want fancy lugs as well.

its going to be spensive :(

Impressive. I wish I was part of a veg team :)

Rather late, only just saw this thread. The Vegetarian Cycling and Athletics Club still exists:

http://www.vcac.vegfolk.co.uk/

Proud member

This is cool

4 Month overdue OSCC.

i bloody love hetchens bikes. i see that curly stayed picture knocking about alot, it is lovely. if i wanted one made, who would do it? i want fancy lugs as well.

its going to be spensive :(
Ummmm. Hetchins still make Hetchins cycles.

http://www.hetchins.com/mo-ultra-01.htm

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread6377.html

What an idiot I am.

I sent an E-mail a while back enquiring about pricing for formentioned frame, and while waiting for a reply I read on his site about an up and coming meeting of flying gate owners, one of which was coming from Norway to pick up the last to be produced. Must have meant the last jubilee frame. When did'nt recieve a reply (as is often the case with framebuilders, who have better things to do than sit in front of a PC all day) I assumed he'd stopped making them.

Anyway much sorryness for the misinformation (apparantly even my typing is faster than my brain!), and I'm chuffed to hear he still framebuilding. I do however feel extra thick for not checking properly before jumping the gun and ordering elsewere.

(Also posted in bike porn thread)

Some guy on fgg posted saying he had the last EVER TJ Gate. Thats where I heard he'd 'retired' from.

He had a classic looking gate but with Ahead forks. yuck.

I might be talking out of my arse actually as I can't find it on FGG now.

Rather late, only just saw this thread. The Vegetarian Cycling and Athletics Club still exists:

http://www.vcac.vegfolk.co.uk/

Proud member

I was for a bit as well.

I might be talking out of my arse actually as I can't find it on FGG now.

I know that dodgy stem choice!

Yellow and blue colour scheme?

If so its on the anti porn thread here.

Remember seeing it and thinking, OK not finished to my taste, but a TJ Gate track framed bike on the anti-porn thread? FFS people!

Actually, some of Hetchins's bikes are pretty well priced for a custom steel lugged bike by a great builder (I believe David Miller is their torchman these days). I'm pretty sure their base prices are even a little lower than Witcomb's at this point. Most are done 1"1/8th at this point with carbon forks though.

Can't remember where I saw this though.

i bloody love hetchens bikes. i see that curly stayed picture knocking about alot, it is lovely. if i wanted one made, who would do it? i want fancy lugs as well.

its going to be spensive :(

I was for a bit as well.

Why did you leave?