1937 Bates Vegrandis project

Also forgot to ask, how does it ride? What is the super champion OS gear like to use?

It's fine. I just need to get used to the idea of adjusting the tension every time I change gears. Too much tension and could be noisy (compare to modern gears), too little and might skip tooth when applying power or even worse, chip the chainstay badly.
Also going into the biggest sprocket I have to make sure that the chain does not go over and get stuck in between the spoke protector disc and the freewheel (happened a few times). Fine tuning needed but love it.

are you going?
VETERAN-CYCLE CLUB - THE TWENTY-FIRST BATES WEEKEND
FRIDAY 6th, SATURDAY 7th, & SUNDAY 8th, JUNE 2014

I'd love to but I'm not sure I'd be able to make it.

Wow ... Just found this thread, what an amazing project! Love it all, everything!

Those wheels are stunning. I also want to get a set of 26" Alumlites made up for my current project, but not getting my hopes up. I managed to pick up a pair for a fiver at the dump a few weeks ago, but they were 27" ... I love the profile of them though.

The gears on my current project, Cyclo Ace Racing 3-Speed. Interesting to see how they compare to the Osgear.

Cyclo Ace Close Ratio gears by zombikombi1959, on Flickr

The profile of the rims is indeed very nice.

Your bike looks good and I like the fact that it is still in original condition.
I quite like the idea of the Ace mechanism in terms of being able to quickly adjust the chain changer.
Does it work fine?

Your bike looks good and I like the fact that it is still in original condition.
I quite like the idea of the Ace mechanism in terms of being able to quickly adjust the chain changer.
Does it work fine?

Apart from the seller junking the rusty wheels, it's all original. And it also has handlebar tape holding the cables on. I didn't realise this until I read your thread today!
I've chucked a spare set of wheels in for now, (rear is a five speed) and everything works smoothly, so fingers crossed when I build up some vintage rims it all works. Not ridden it yet.

Very nice! Love paint too.

Le Manfriend has a Bates frame he didn't get time to build it up yet.

I note the Cyclo Ace shown above is fitted with a 5 speed block. Has the tension jockey sprocket been machined down to accept a 3/32 chain? Does the rear mech work across the whole of the 5 speed block?

I have recently discovered (rather to my surprise) that a modern 3/32 front changer will happily accept an 1/8 chain.

Nice work. I have a 1939 Vergrandis frame which is in fair nick but has no headset. Serial numbers on frame and fork match. Could you tell me the type of headset which fits this frame? It has cups which form part of the frame and a really long steerer tube. I never saw such a thing and would appreciate any advice. I will be building it up but not sticking quite so fastidiously to pre ww2 parts as you did. Any info or advice gratefully received