Classic & Vintage - 1960 Johnny Kay Ruiari. English handbuilt tourer.

Is anybody famliar with this interesting machine? I can find very little info on the net about the builder.
I know he came from Rossendale/Rawtenstall in Lancashire, UK, and used good components, but not much else.
Spec is 24" frame, Campagnola chainset, (Record? 48/43 chainrings) Simplex derailleur, Mafac centre-pull brakes, Nervex lugs, Weinmann 27" rims and levers, hubs are possibly Airlight. GB Tourmalet bars and stem, with GB and UK map engraved on bars.
http://s53.photobucket.com/album/g58/duktig will show some pics.

The bicycle is very light and, I think, a handsome machine.

Any information/comments/questions would be appreciated.
Olik.

Sorry, I cannot seem to get the photolink working correctly.
Olik.

This may work:
http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig
Excuse mistakes, new to this.
Olik

Hi olik,
Just found your thread on Johnny Kay. In the previous years, have you found out a few more details? My plan is to build up a vintage bike and was offered a 531 steel frame made by Johnny Kay and trying to find out more details. Your thread is amongst the few details I found on the web regarding JK. Your help is much appreciated.
frabu

Hate to say it... But I doubt you'll hear from them. Stranger things have happened, yes, but it's unlikely.
Sorry your search isn't turning up much.
-Gene-

Olik,
I owned a Johnny Kay frame many years ago. (in the seventies) and it was a well built frame in Reynolds 531 stell tubing with fancy chromed lug work, chromed 1/3 forks, and campagnolo fork ends. There was a frame sticker saying the frame was made in Rawtenstall in Lancashire UK.
I have never seen another Johnny Kay frame - can you post a picture of yours? (I could not open your links to the photos)
If I only knew they were so rare.......... I would not have sold it !!

Keith F

I doubt olik will respond to this. He only has ten posts and this thread is from 2006

Some message boards close a thread automatically after 90 days (or whatever) of inactivity. This proves why it's a good idea.

Some message boards close a thread automatically after 90 days (or whatever) of inactivity. This proves why it's a good idea.

On the other hand, this thread is likely now the web's single largest source for info on these bikes.

For the life of me, I can't remember the brand name, but there was a similar thread here about some relatively unknown bikes of decent quality and it grew into a valuable info-source through this same process.
EDIT: Here we are (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/543480-Anyone-know-anything-about-a-Facet-Biotour-2000). Lots of low post counts (and was one of AuchenCrow's first posts, now he's a regular), lots of gaps. But it gives people with rare (and not particularly desirable) bikes a place to gather information easily.

Besides, it's always fun when a newbie chimes in on a 7 year gap, and says "me too!"

if yours is still an active post i would like to hear form you. Johnny kay was my father and i would love to find one of his frames.
regards Gerald Kay

I am Gerald Kay johnny's son. I am trying to locate a frame If you hear of anything please coudl you contact me. Thanks

this might have just got interesting...

We are waiting with baited breath Gerald. Do you have any pictures of your dad's stuff?

The internet is a wild and wonderful place. Good luck on finding one of your Dad's frames.

i love bike drama history.....

The Classic Rendezvous list is the place to go with this request. There are a number of true experts there, foremost among whom would be Norris Lockley. He is this year's recipient of the CV Vintage Bicycle Award, given to the person who's dedicated and given the most to the classic bicycle community. If anyone would know, he's your man.

That said, he's off to France to watch the TdF and hunt for more rare frames. So, post a note over there, and then be a bit patient.

Then, report back here to spread the wealth.

Cheers!