A.S. Gillott owners & appreciation club

Here's Mr Gillott's actual signature - it's sort of recognisable in the idealised version on the frames.

Jeff's pics will be on here shortly.

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Nice to see that.

FYI
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133538842301
Lovely frame, my size too, it's been lurking on Hilary Stone's website for ages, I would have bought it myself, however the original dropouts have been replaced with contemporary Campag and it looks like the rear triangle has had some work done.
It looks like a good job has been made but replacing the rear dropouts mean you lose the all important frame number which would have been stamped on both.
It's also had new cable guides and downtube water bottle lugs added.
I'm not sure what the reserve price on eBay is but on Hilary Stone he had the frame up for £725

Hilary Stone still has this one on sale on his web page:

http://www.hilarystone.com/frameset0.html

For £795

Description is also the same.

Just picked up a Gillott from a member of the Gillott family. Found this information on it, looks like it's had repairs and on closer inspection a tiny crack on the top tube, see picture attached. Can anyone please shine some light on it? Is the crack anything to be worried about?

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I'd bring it to a frame builder for a check. But it looks like a long crack? Hard to say from the pic.

But it's weird that it goes onto the top tube too. That part might just be paint.

Thanks I will try make it down to varonha when I find time, it's such a lovely bike otherwise. From what I've seen it was built in 1951 and the 2034 frame to be built. Parts on it must be later I'm thinking as its running 700c wheels...?

Hi @Settle
How did you get on with this, what did they say at Varonha?

Winston told me it needs a new top tube and lug, incidentally his brother thinks he did the paint as he still does painting for Mark Stevens. Winston gave the contact details of a friendly chap in Stepney Green who has an amazing collection of old bikes. Went to see him and convinced me to keep an eye on the crack and enjoy the Gillot. So been riding it. It's a little small for me though and the Stepney Green chap said he would trade for a 1948 Stratton so thinking of doing that when I've got a spare 200 quid and get the repair done, maybe after the new year.

Indeed steel won't suddenly break on you, so yeah enjoy it a bit. It'll give you more time to think if it's the right frame for you.

Definitely agree with this, especially after you said it was small.

This is how you're supposed to use a Gillot !

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Another, same rider (Jeff Marshall) same frame.

This is his first attempt at a 100 and it's Whitsun 1961 - he was just twenty years of age and recorded 4.25.20.

I think he won the event the following year.

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Great pics!
And, as usual, very informative @clubman

@falconvitesse here you go, latest project to add to the ongoing list ... 1960 Gillott, Nervex lugs, hopefully Ron Cooper built. I had my eye out for a Gillott, this came up collection only and localish to me with what looked like interesting parts. Before I knew it I had made the £300 minimum bid. I thought it would go for more and I would have time to think about it ...

This first pic is the Ebay seller's, I realise uploading now I don't have a full one of the frame, so adding this. He was selling on behalf of a friend that is now unable to cycle but was a keen cyclist owning lots of nice bikes but this was the one he rode all the time. I've been hoping that wasn't just to thrash it but because it's great to ride :)

I was going to ride it around a bit but the tyres were shot. Also there is no room in the house for another fully built bike, especially one that is extremely filthy. So I've stripped and been cleaning it as quickly as possible.

The lugs are quite sharp, the dropouts are Campag (although I can't make out the lettering on the front) - I think maybe the 'Sport' set. The steerer and bottom bracket serial numbers match and there is a centre punch or maybe just a ding between the chain stays. I hope comments will be "yeah yeah that's Ron Cooper's mark alright, don't worry"!

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I nearly gave myself a hernia trying to get the fixed cup out, had to leave that for Argos.

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I guess that metallic lilac is the original finish -> the gear cable pulley wheel on both sides are original.

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And I do like that brake bridge!

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I don't have a pic of the top tube but that was crushed and a little bent - will know for sure when I go back in, but on initial inspection Argos said rolling and filling won't get it perfect. As per usual, objectivity goes out the window after you've spent a week or two getting up close and personal with a frame. Also you can't see the shifter bosses well in any pics, they are quite high up the tubes and not exactly level. I think they were probably added in one of the overhauls. The gear cable pulleys were no longer being used - a much more modern black cable guide was in place.

The frame has been blasted now, so I'll see if anything else is wrong, how bad the top tube is, etc. and go from there.

I'm happy if anyone wants to play 'what I would do ...' as for me, that is the most fun part - the planning :) My plan if this is a keeper is not too expensive a finish or too strict a period restoration. Colour will need to be able to carry patinated parts as I can't blow too much on this. A good ride with a decent range of gears that's not too perfect or precious ...

The existing parts are a real treasure trove of Campag stuff spanning 3 decades:

• 1st gen steel seatpost from late 50s - this is in good condition, and may be original. My plan at the moment is to sell it ... I know they are sought after, this one is about a good as a used one gets, but for me it's heavy and as mentioned I don't think this is going to be too strict. I think I'd rather get a 60s alloy one, I haven't double checked when they came in but pretty sure early 60s.

• Gran Sport large flange front hub - I haven't cleaned this yet, but under the thick grease and dirt I think it's ok and bang on period correct. I will almost certainly sell this, I have another front waiting for a rear already, but I'm planning either large flange Gran Sport or maybe 60s Record hubs. Ideally bought as a built wheelset to keep cost down.

• Hi-Lo rear hub - these were first made for the German Olympic team in 1972 and were rumoured to be produced now and then over the next decade, only appearing in the 1982 catalogue I think. Don't take that as gospel, I haven't double checked, but have lusted after and read-up on them several times over the years. I think these are early 80s, the Regina freewheel on it was an 84 and the hub has the thread size written around the freewheel threads - making it a later version. This one is in very nice condition, I will be able to make it look lovely, I think it will get to sit on my shelf but they are very sought after and I should sell it to fund the project!

• 1st gen Record front derailleur, first appeared 1963 - nice nice nice but the cage is almost worn through! I haven't finished cleaning the Record rear derailleur but I'd bet similar age for that and the shifters (still in the dirty box). I think I'll probably keep this lot, maybe try and swap out the cage on the front and pulleys on the rear (I think the originals have already been swapped out for later 70s ones that are quite worn).

• 2nd gen Gran Sport pedals - these were one of the parts that caught my eye but they are the late 60s / 70s version (rifling on the spindle and steel dustcaps). Quite nice but not too special and again on the heavy side - think these are destined for Ebay too.

• Steel 'Sport' 3 arm cranks and alloy rings from the early 70s. A handsome crank and in good condition, although the rings are fairly worn. I have seen Hilary Stone has replacement rings, but again these are heavy and rare / sought after so I think they're off to Ebay.

Other interesting parts are the early Stronglight P3 headset top parts (late 50s / 60s) with Brampton Alatet bottoms (50s); Titan stem and bars dating 68/69, Cinelli unicanitor saddle from the early 70s.

Ok so what am I planning for parts ...

• I think an early 60s set of Record derailleurs, these are quite worn but look good and I suspect will still work well;
  
• Gran Sport or Record hubs, I'm tempted by 36h to make rims easier, maybe even clinchers;
  
• Alloy Record seatpost and probably a Brooks B17 Narrow;
  
• Stronglight headset, bottom bracket, chainset maybe 40/50 Stronglight or TA chainrings or smaller inner depending on what the shifters can take (I haven't double checked) - I have most of this already and ok for a 60s build;
  
• Lyotard pedals - again I've got some MB platforms and like those;
  
• Probably a GB stem and bars, maybe brakes too.
  
  

The pulley wheels will probably go, and the shifter bosses moved down, aligned and kept. I do also have Campag gear cable guide braze-on parts and TA water bottle bossses, it would be sensible to add these but they didn't appear till the 70s. Period correct vs common sense, discuss :D

Here's a photo of the BB on my 51' Gillott for reference - https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/324825/

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfreak/sets/72157605310320261/
The blackberry or mauve colour paint reminds me of this.
This one was built in 1948 but it was resprayed according to Mark in the 60s around the time your frame was built. It's a proper 60s colour.

"yeah yeah that's Ron Cooper's mark alright, don't worry"!

I've no idea but does look like a great project :)

Oooh..I had forgotten about this @SideshowBob, if I remember it was a bargain.

Yes, Not much over £100 I think.