1959 Rotrax ‘Concours’ - Road / Track (Complete Bike)

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Rotrax ‘Concours’ - 1959 - Road / Track

Restored Rotrax Concours frame with many parts bought NOS, restored, or in excellent original condition. Frame and parts have seen easily less than 200 dry miles since built. Good chance I’ll need to split bike to sell, but trying complete. Tons of detail below (probably too much, sorry). Any questions just give me a shout.

Frame

Rotrax's top model ‘Concours’ frame, in less seen road / track model
22" c-to-c seatube and toptube (approx 56cm)
Reynolds 531, double butted.
Refinished in pearl white enamel with black bands and gold lug lining.
Original varnish fix decals, (I got these from Hilary Stone and are 'believed' to be originals not reproductions).
Rotrax Headbadge bought from Tim Maund who now owns and still builds Rotrax frames.
Frame no. 59xxxx (Can confirm if seriously interested)

Frame was restored a few years ago and paintwork is still close to perfect. Stunning Fleur de Lis style lugs. Exquisitely built, very clean and lugs incredibly fine... have been beautifully filed / feathered down.

Full disclosure imperfections to note are… one scratch to pearl coat on the top of top tube from a cable clip and a contact mark on one fork leg from locking up. Top tube has the very tiniest dent, more of an 'impression'. It's so minor it’s impossible to photograph, but it is there. Repainted in pearl it showed up, wasn’t noticeable in previous mat enameled incarnation I bought it in.

Wheels

BH Airlite ‘Continental’ hubs. (Front bought NOS in box, rear
restored)
Dunlop Special Lightweight Stainless Rims – 27”
32 / 40 spokes in proper traditional 15/17 gauge (bought new, supplied by Mick at Madgetts Cycles, brilliantly helpful.)
1” Panaracer Passela Tyres (bought new)
Gripnut wing nuts (bought NOS)
Knurled Steel Valve Caps – nice little vintage detail!

Hubs are stunning. Front was purchased NOS and in original Airlite box. Rear is superb, with rechromed barrel and re-built with correct, perfect condition cones supplied by Abel Baker cycles and new bearings. Re-chrome on rear barrel does mean BH Airlite engraving is hard to see. Rims are in good condition. Dunlop engraving good and strong... Shiny!

Handlebars / Stem / Headset

Campagnolo Gran Sport (bought NOS)
GB Spearpoint Stem – Reynold 531 Steel - 100mm
GB Maes bend bars with engraved ferrule – Alloy
Black Velox cloth tape and rubber end plugs
Red Sonnet Bell is NOT included.

Stem is lovely. Original chrome with some light patina, looks superb. Is complete with original red GB stem pinch bolt. Bars are also in very good condition. Alloy and ferrule is bright. Headset bought NOS. This one is not strictly period correct, but a necessary idiosyncrasy, as a perfect match for the low stack height required.

Brakes / Lever

MAFAC Guidonnet lever
MAFAC Dural Forge Brakes (can also supply rear)
New replica MAFAC brake pads

Unusual and fairly rare MAFAC Guidonnet lever. Correct ‘50s Dural Forge version of what was later the ubiquitous ‘Racer’ brakes. Will also supply rear brake in case it is desired. Also new replica MAFAC pattern brake blocks for improved stopping! Cable is of the period variety – fluted/ribbed in silvery-grey. I might have spare cable for rear that can be included should you wish to use rear brake. I'd need to have a dig and can't guarantee it.

Saddle / Post

Ideale TB90 Leather Saddle, chrome rails and Ideale Saddle Clamp
Titan Seatpost (27.2mm) - Alloy

All in lovely condition. Titan seatpost is missing its original sticker. There was only a grotty fraction of it left so I removed it.

Cranks / Bottom Bracket / Chain / Cog

Stronglight Cottered Cranks with 48t Ring. (Left crankarm is a NOS replacement Milremo replica, drive side + ring rechromed)
Baylis Wiley Featherweight Bottom Bracket with hollow axle.
Coventry 'Elite' Chain - 1 1/8" (bought NOS)
TDC Cog, 17t (bought NOS)

Cranks and ring are excellent, these were nicely rechromed. Left arm is a replacement Milremo one. Again, bought NOS and a very good match. Bottom Bracket is Baylis Wiley’s top of the line Featherweight model, very good original condition. It's their BB with the beautiful octagonal wrench flats... saving a huge 50g back in the day! TDC Cog and Coventry Elite chain were both bought NOS, and again, seen little mileage.

Pedals / Clips / Straps

Brampton B8 Pedals
Christophe clips and straps. Clips with older engraved logo. Bought NOS.

Brampton B8 pedals in unbelievably nice original condition. Chrome is great. Dustups have been drilled and grease port nipples added for easy servicing. Superb.

PRICE: NOW £950 (+postage) Was £1000 (+postage) - located in Edinburgh.

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