1947 Hobbs of Barbican Clubweight Build and many other old builds

Splendid work sir. Exquisite taste and sympathetic restoration.
To add my tuppence to the shellac debate, I bought some white cotton tape from Dave Marsh last year for my Eroica bike
Being a grubby type it soon stopped looking neat and tidy so I shellac'd it very heavily and it came up a lovely honey colour.
L'Eroica it can be relatively heavy on the hands so a bit of flex and a better grip might prove a good idea.
You need to do plenty of it as Vello said, and if you do, do't be in too much of a rush and let it dry properly between coats or it tends to subside!!
In my case it started out all nice spongy and shiny...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72712370/ISOMETRIC.jpg

A few thousand miles later it's a different story as I didn't let it harden up properly - still quite nice in a "shroud of Turin" kind of way
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/72712370/2012-11-29%2009.08.18.jpg

I've started planning my Hobbs Raceweight's paintwork, following the original 'flam' pinky-red traces I found, as I got the frame already stripped.
Decals...some quick and lazy research found these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobbs-Of-Barbican-Bicycle-Decals-Transfers-Stickers-02-/321062581295?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4ac0d2342f#ht_2070wt_932

Anyone used this firm, any alt. reccommendations?

I take it you've considered H.Lloyd they've got plenty of Hobbs and I can seriously vouch for them. Top notch

Splendid work sir. Exquisite taste and sympathetic restoration.
To add my tuppence to the shellac debate, I bought some white cotton tape from Dave Marsh last year for my Eroica bike
Being a grubby type it soon stopped looking neat and tidy so I shellac'd it very heavily and it came up a lovely honey colour.
L'Eroica it can be relatively heavy on the hands so a bit of flex and a better grip might prove a good idea.
You need to do plenty of it as Vello said, and if you do, do't be in too much of a rush and let it dry properly between coats or it tends to subside!!
In my case it started out all nice spongy and shiny...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72712370/ISOMETRIC.jpg

A few thousand miles later it's a different story as I didn't let it harden up properly - still quite nice in a "shroud of Turin" kind of way
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/72712370/2012-11-29%2009.08.18.jpg

Thanks Rik,
Very kind works. I missed your build as I wasn't active on the site then but it has made brilliant early morning reading this morning. The finished product looks great and that first pic of yours is how I really want my tape to turn out. I hope to be able to provide some similar 'chalk dust' covered pics next year.

I take it you've considered H.Lloyd they've got plenty of Hobbs and I can seriously vouch for them. Top notch

I'd use H.Lloyd too as have read good things about them but ave no personal experience.

yes, excellent condition and period correct.

Now hurry up and get some 'honking rubbers' to me. Do you think black would look good with the shallac'd white tape as per Rik's first pic?

here are some original honking rubbers on black bar tape
example 1
example 2
example 3
example 4
example 5

on red bar tape
example 6
if you are going to have white tape shellaced to a honey colour, plus the black honking rubbers, this would repeat the colours of the gum walled tyres with black tread. I think it would be most pleasing.

here are some original honking rubbers on black bar tape
example 1
example 2
example 3
example 4
example 5

on red bar tape
example 6
if you are going to have white tape shellaced to a honey colour, plus the black honking rubbers, this would repeat the colours of the gum walled tyres with black tread. I think it would be most pleasing.

Nice one. I'll go with black then. Can you PM me with total cost inc postage and I'll send you some dollars via paypal.

What is everyones thoughts on chains and bar end plugs?

What is everyones thoughts on chains and bar end plugs?

the 1952 Brown Bros catalogue had Dunlop Handlebar End Stops black and Shockstop Handlebar plugs in silver grey, black, red or beige.
I have used a set of blue Velox plugs as being close. Current ones for sale

have you looked at Speedbicycles for bar ends on the bikes? They might have something better

will get a postage price tomorrow.

I take it you've considered H.Lloyd they've got plenty of Hobbs and I can seriously vouch for them. Top notch

Ah yes, I remember reading about them, probably the way to go then.

Thanks Rik,
Very kind works. I missed your build as I wasn't active on the site then but it has made brilliant early morning reading this morning. The finished product looks great and that first pic of yours is how I really want my tape to turn out. I hope to be able to provide some similar 'chalk dust' covered pics next year.

Glad you enjoyed the rat-build thread, I thoroughly enjoyed doing it and can't recommend L'Eroica enough - a great day out, I'll certainly return sometime soon!
Good luck with the rest of the build I look forward to seeing it progress, great back-story too!

What is everyones thoughts on chains and bar end plugs?

I'm using a SRAM PC30 3/32" - just because I had it in stock and it fits.

My bar end plugs are likely to be the corks from port bottle caps.

Every now and then when assembling parts for bike builds, you get a piece that you're so stoked with. Today was one of those days. This is my new Brooks B17 Narrow saddle. It's probably either just pre or post WWII. It's got a lovely patina and will really set the build off I think. I was on the look out for a B17 Swallow of the same era but couldn't find one in a decent enough condition. Anyway, sorry for so many pics.
I also put the bottom bracket in today.

"Anyway, sorry for so many pics"

you allright?!

Nice saddle! I hope it's comfortable for you on that ride.
I bought the same model but in an obvious badly stretched condition. 10 miles on that was sheer agony.

Here's a bar end, as above.

^ That looks surprisingly good. Might have to steal that idea!
WRT the seat, I've got a new pair of Castelli bibs for my Norwich run so that should keep the pain at bay. Bibs underneath period costume for L'Eroica.
I'm heading for the Pyrénées next week to slay the Col du Tourmalet, Col de Peyresourde & Hautacam. Very excited by this.

Fresh in from Adelaide 'Straylia today from fellow forumer Big Block, some reproduction Shockstop 'Honking Rubbers'. Really happy with these and can't wait to get everything fully assembled and built now. Just waiting on delivery of a NOS Brampton chain and some Velox par end plugs and that should just about be it.

This looks nearly ready to ride, good work!
An excellent and thorough project with great attention to period detail.
In your shoes, I think I'd be wishing I'd had the frame refinished now; the component choice looks to really warrant it.

In your shoes, I think I'd be wishing I'd had the frame refinished now; the component choice looks to really warrant it.

Thanks!
It has crossed my mind and I've very nearly had it packed up and sent to the painters several times however something as happened to me during this build. I've let go of the need to have everything 100% perfect and just enjoy things how they are. This may or may not have been partly inspired by running into the VCC on their annual Brighton run a few weeks back and seeing their amazing array of sweet old machines. I was drawn towards the bikes that looked like they'd been dragged out from the undergrowth rather than the concours restorations. There seemed to be a certain romance about these bikes and I feel that if I have this frame painted, I would have wiped that away. I'm starting to prattle on like Kevin McLeod now so I'll stop.
I swapped the 46T chain ring over for the 48T one this morning and used my cotter pin press to ensure that it's not going anywhere. The press is my favourite tool that I have and has certainly earned its money back since I've had it.

^ Totally agree with you. Original paint, patina etc have a beauty of their own.
If you're keeping rust at bay, the bike's clean and the bits and bobs are as shiny/well maintained as their going to be, the bike will look great - respray & rechrome is only perfect until the first ding, and then you're left with an imperfect bike and none of the patina/authenticity/class.....

If you change your mind further down the line you can always respray, but if you've already done it before the build there's no going back!!!

Here's some more dodgy paint/chrome & shiny bits from another of my CP's....

Rather contradicting myself, I'm totally with you both on Patina. I can't get enough of it.
Here's the "extreme patina" of my 50's commuter.
It's in the process of being treated to some rather fetching turquoise Bluemels Sprint Veloce mudguards.

The "barn find" look. Im all for it!
I need a cotter pin press, i didnt know such a thing even existed. very handy

Neither did I, have always banged them in, most carefully.
The two nuts on the cotter pin in the photo? Not seen that done before.
They do tend to feel like they've reached their elastic limit prematurely, on torquing up...

I need a cotter pin press, i didnt know such a thing even existed. very handy

This is where I got mine from. Not the cheapest and you can make your own out of a C clamp if you can be bothered. He also sells a fairly nifty fixed cup removal tool.

http://bikesmithdesign.com/CotterPress/index.html

The two nuts on the cotter pin in the photo? Not seen that done before.
They do tend to feel like they've reached their elastic limit prematurely, on torquing up...

Neither had I but the pins that I sourced came with 2 and they both fit on the end of the pin. Not sure if you're supposed to use both or not! :)

Well, another delivery from the postman today.
What I believe to be a 50's Brampton chain and some Velox Bar end plugs.

More vintage exotica! Good call on the end plugs
I had no idea Brampton was French. Sounds so English and honest.

any updates?