For Sale: 1963 Merlin beautifully rennovated

So here is my Merlin up for sale. This was originally built in 1963 by Bob Jackson of Leeds for one John Lote, and has been restored by myself using period components (give or take a few years) to a very high standard. Wherever possible NOS or NOS condition parts have been used. This bike has never been ridden since the renovation.

Frame sizing:
Seattube: 55cm c-c 56.5 c-t
Toptube: 56.5 c-c

The frame is made from Reynolds 531 butted tubes, forks and stays. The dropouts are Campagnolo. The frame has been completely restored and resprayed by Bob Jackson using original Merlin decals and I have a copy of the original workcard for the frame.

Components:

Rear Mech: Campagnolo Nuovo Record, date stamped 1970, used but in perfect condition

Freewheel: Regina 5 speed block, perfect condition

Front Mech: Early 1960's Campagnolo Record, perfect condition

Shifters: Campagnolo (Record I think), friction, perfect condition

Chainset: Campagnolo Gran Sport, rare 3 arm, perfect condition, Campagnolo rings

Pedals: 1960s Campagnolo Record, perfect condition, with Christophe clips and New Brooks Honey straps

Wheels: Campagnolo Record hubs, laced to AVA tub rims. 700c, excellent condition

Tyres: New Vitoria Competition tubs

Headset: Campagnolo Record, perfect condition

Brakes: Weinman levers, Weinmann type 500 front caliper, type 750 centre pull rear, very good condition. Hoods show some minor cracking but are still pliable.

Stem: unknown maker, chromed steel exellent condition

Bars: GB Maes,very good condition

Saddle: New Brooks B17 Champion Special in Honey with Copper rails and large rivet. Comes with box, seat cover and spanner.

Seatpost: Zeus fluted, excellent condition, some zig zag marks under insertion point.
Tape, plugs: NOS Velox

Seatclamp: Campagnolo, perfect condition

Skewers: Campagnolo, perfect condition

Cables: New Jagwire

Cable clips: NOS Campagnolo

Apologies about the massive post but I couldn't get the pics to attatch.

Please note: I have ordered a cable hanger for the rear brake and the Brooks honey straps - these should be with me and fitted in the next couple of days.

(NB the little water droplets are due to a sudden shower moving the photo session indoors!)

I originally bought this for myself as my first road bike and began the rennovation, only to later realise it was too small for me. I have completed the build in the way I think the bike deserves rather than chucking a load of random parts on when I realised it didn't fit!

If anyone is seriously interested, has questions, need other pics etc. get in touch via pm and we can discuss the details.

Joe

Beautiful..........

Unbelieveably nice! Great work Joe.

I cant see the pics?

outstanding

wowser!

Rattlecan job and a purple spok, and that thing would look fucking sweet.

Thanks guys, it has been a labour of love and I'll be sad to see it go. Arrospoks and toptube protectors available searately.

Jebus, that's a fucking beautiful bike... dribbles

Jebus is weeping right now cos he's spent all his money this month.

Cannot see any photos but for you lot to be reacting like this I assume it's quite nice.

Far too small for me however, from the description and the reaction I wish it was larger!

Beautiful. That would be my perfect geared bike. If I only I had whatever considerable sum you are seeking!

Love the fact you've got the order form - that's so cool!

I'd love it, but know i can't afford it. But I must say, that has to be one of the most beautiful bike I have ever seen!

Stunning, would'nt dare take it out of the house.....would love to know what you're after for it.

wow, good job.

holy shit, beautiful.

joe1983
Be sure to post this on Retrobike and the CTC forum if you haven't already.

Just noticed the three-arm Campag cranks... spunks in pants, sets fire to pants, jumps out of window

Why is it all wet?

Joe, who did the paint? thats a great build

gav was going to take pics in the garden but it started raining!

Skully - will do

Vinylvillain - Bob Jackson did the paint. Fitting as they built it back in the 60s

I have the exact same wheelset on my Mercier which i am restoring, but have been able to find out very little about AVA rims, you got any info?

Unfortunately not, I remember looking into them ages ago when I fist acquired them but couldn't find much on them short of them being French.

Receipt says £14 how about £15? only kidding that is a beautiful bike and if I owned it I would keep it just to look at it until a better project came up.

You got the wrong colour red for the bar tape, ruined. Start again...