Post your vintage British Bike
#1
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Location: Houston area
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Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
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Post your vintage British Bike
My boss gave me this old rotten, faded bike that somebody had abandoned on his property. After after a lot of rubbing compound was applied, we discovered that it was a hand made Ron Cooper from the 1970s.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
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#2
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 22,000
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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I finally got one. I had an Armstrong and a Hercules, both converted 3-speeds, years ago, but now I have a real road bike.
Above, as received. Just-my-size 55cm C-T 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse, full double-butted Reynolds 531. Current condition as the frame-up restoration begins:
(Slow) progress to date: threw away (rotted) tires and rim strips, (Schrader) tubes, cut out spokes, gave away (steel 27") rims, located 18mm aluminum 700C rims, straightened rear dropout, verified 126mm (yaa!) OLD
Threw out old Weinmann brake pads, bought KoolStop (accept no substitutes) Continentals
Next: figure out spoke length, build wheels, rebuild BB (keeping Sugino crankset), select chainring sizes (leaning toward 46-43) and freewheel cog count (6 or 7) and sizes (13 to 26, 28, maybe 30 at most). Looking at 32 to 35mm 700C touring tires.
I am inclined to keep the (OEM??) Campag. downtube shift levers and Weinmann 999 brakeset, and of course the Brooks Swallow saddle.
Above, as received. Just-my-size 55cm C-T 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse, full double-butted Reynolds 531. Current condition as the frame-up restoration begins:
(Slow) progress to date: threw away (rotted) tires and rim strips, (Schrader) tubes, cut out spokes, gave away (steel 27") rims, located 18mm aluminum 700C rims, straightened rear dropout, verified 126mm (yaa!) OLD
Threw out old Weinmann brake pads, bought KoolStop (accept no substitutes) Continentals
Next: figure out spoke length, build wheels, rebuild BB (keeping Sugino crankset), select chainring sizes (leaning toward 46-43) and freewheel cog count (6 or 7) and sizes (13 to 26, 28, maybe 30 at most). Looking at 32 to 35mm 700C touring tires.
I am inclined to keep the (OEM??) Campag. downtube shift levers and Weinmann 999 brakeset, and of course the Brooks Swallow saddle.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 01-16-21 at 05:23 PM.
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#3
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
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My 1968 Raleigh.
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#4
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Location: Earlville, IL
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Bikes: Some Schwinns, Raleighs, Centurions, Crescent, Bianchi
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Still no identification on this bike other than it's British, and it's from the late 40s or 50s. I built up the frame so no parts are original. Any guesses?
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#6
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 22,000
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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That sure looks like my Carlton -- same head lugs and seat cluster, Campag. braze-ons for downtube shift, same rear dropouts, same rear brake cable guides. The only differences I can see are my chromed rear triangle and fork and the tops of the seat stays. Does yours have a serial number on the left rear dropout? Need a head tube decal? I recently received two reproduction decals from a chap in the U.K.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 01-18-21 at 07:45 AM.
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#7
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 22,000
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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Ah yes -- I remember those dual-control 5-speed Sturmey hubs and the big stick shift levers.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Earlville, IL
Posts: 704
Bikes: Some Schwinns, Raleighs, Centurions, Crescent, Bianchi
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That sure looks like my Carlton -- same head lugs and seat cluster, Campag. braze-ons for downtube shift, same rear dropouts, same rear brake cable guides. The only differences I can see are my chromed rear triangle and fork and the tops of the seat stays. Does yours have a serial number on the left rear dropout? Need a head tube decal? I recently received two reproduction decals from a chap in the U.K.
Last edited by 76SLT; 02-14-21 at 10:23 AM.
#9
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 22,000
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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They do look similar. Mine did have the chrome rear triangle and fork but the chrome was beyond saving so I had them paint over it. It had just a drive side shifter so I had it changed to accept Campag on both sides. The fork is Accles & Pollock and is stamped with the same serial as the bb which is 95112 with a 7 under it. Here's a video one of our bf members made of the bike. His own collection is amazing.https://youtu.be/4OSjn4tx6jU
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#10
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Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
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Oh what a door has been opened with this thread.
Here are some of the Raleighs... I have several other bicycles from other makers also.
Here are some of the Raleighs... I have several other bicycles from other makers also.
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In search of what to search for.
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#11
My boss gave me this old rotten, faded bike that somebody had abandoned on his property. After after a lot of rubbing compound was applied, we discovered that it was a hand made Ron Cooper from the 1970s.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
That's a pisser - I lusted after a Ron Cooper for ages but never had the $. That one even looks close to my size
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#12
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Bikes: my precious steel boys
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Here's the Super Tourer which has been my go-to winter bike. Absolutely in love with the thing- still need to get it repaired (it now has a seat tube dent from a bike shop mishap) once I start riding my road bikes again.
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#13
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,931
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
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British? You mean like this one? 1982ish Ron Cooper. As pictured, Campy 10sp triple drivetrain.
It currently has a 7sp triple friction drivetrain (mix 'n' match, Suntour VGx RD) and Suntour brakes. I rode it in the 2019 Eroica California Pedro Blancas route (pictured below with kabuki12). Fantastic bike.
It currently has a 7sp triple friction drivetrain (mix 'n' match, Suntour VGx RD) and Suntour brakes. I rode it in the 2019 Eroica California Pedro Blancas route (pictured below with kabuki12). Fantastic bike.
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"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#14
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Mrs 400's 1987 Raleigh Granada Lady. The rare step-thru 531 framed bike. I understand that not many of these were imported from England.
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#15
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Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
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-The steel road bike I wanted but never could afford was the Gilmore, made in Arizona. They had these little Thunderbird cutouts in the lugs. Not Brittish,though.
Last edited by surveyor6; 01-18-21 at 07:03 PM.
#16
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
#17
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Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
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Yes, Gilmour. When I would google his bike frames, It gave me Articles about David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.
He wrote "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
I came pretty close to buying a used Gilmour frame at the Tucson swap meet one year, but I needed to pay off some stuff first.
-I really looked forward to the Tucson bike swap every year, though I lived in the Phoenix area.
He wrote "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
I came pretty close to buying a used Gilmour frame at the Tucson swap meet one year, but I needed to pay off some stuff first.
-I really looked forward to the Tucson bike swap every year, though I lived in the Phoenix area.
#18
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My 73/4 Falcon San Remo. Have some NOS Universal brake hoods coming from Italy although I’m beginning to wonder if they are walking over....
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