Classic & Vintage - Bluemels fenders - some questions

I'm in the process of obtaining an early 80's British bike (my dream vintage ride :D ) and while I'm not going to go whole hog with restoring it any time soon I'd like to make sure my additions are as period-correct as possible. Would this be an appropriate fender choice for the period?

Also, the NOS ones I've seen (usually on ebay) often come without stays. Can these be rigged with, say SKS stays?

I don't know if early 80s British bikes would have been fitted with Bluemels fenders/mudguards, but I don't think you can go wrong with that combination. In terms of stays, different SKS models have different stays, I believe (though there's a "Bluemels" model of SKS fenders). Some might work, but you can also purchase stays separately from this eBay seller:http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-BLUEMELS-STAYS-AND-HARDWARE_W0QQitemZ280061524183QQihZ018QQcategoryZ420QQcmdZViewItem

Neal

Bluemels were still a very popular fender in the early 80s. I remember purchasing some in the summer of '83. They were still the only lightweight fender my neighborhood lbs carried.

Bluemels were still a very popular fender in the early 80s. I remember purchasing some in the summer of '83. They were still the only lightweight fender my neighborhood lbs carried.

Perfect!

Thanks, folks. I guess I'd better get the bike first.

The honjo fender stays would also work for bluemels--or a set of honjo fenders would surely look great on an english bike
http://www.jitensha.com/

a set of honjo fenders would surely look great on an english bike
http://www.jitensha.com/


I agree, but $$$. I hear they are kind of a hassle to install too.

I can't say which Bluemels fenders were common on British bikes in the 1980s, I put Esge fenders on my Nishiki Landau. Back in the 1950s I had Bluemels Club Specials on my Claud. These were the most popular among club riders because they also kept the splash off those riding next to you because of the deep valance.

http://i8.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/b9/b2/b1_1_b.JPG

Sometimes I see new bluemels stays and fittings on UK ebay, I am not sure if any other makes would look right.

I agree, but $$$. I hear they are kind of a hassle to install too.

Honjo fenders (about$70 compleat kit ) are a bit to install but take your time(about all day) and they come out real nice.Hannered or smooth and also in 700/27" or 26" and several widths too

I've used SKS stays with Bluemels with no problem. I wasn't aware that more than one variety (SKS stays) was available so I don't know if there was a specific model associated with the ones I bought. I just told my LBS what I wanted them for and they ordered them.

The attached picture isn't large enough to see the detail but this is one application. I did cut off the ends of the stays because I like the looks better and also one of the front ones came pretty close to the frame when turning sharply.

Regards,
Alan

I used Planet Bike stays with my old Bluemels mudguards - no problems!

Honjo fenders (about$70 compleat kit ) are a bit to install but take your time(about all day) and they come out real nice.Hannered or smooth and also in 700/27" or 26" and several widths too

Take your time and Honjo fenders come out really nice... plus they follow the curve of the wheel better than any other fender I've seen... short of custom work, Like an Alex Singer or Jack Taylor...

http://piledrivermedia.com/files/IMG_3425_1_3.jpg

Take your time and Honjo fenders come out really nice... plus they follow the curve of the wheel better than any other fender I've seen... short of custom work, Like an Alex Singer or Jack Taylor...

http://piledrivermedia.com/files/IMG_3425_1_3.jpg

Those look great. I like how long the front is.

I guess I'm still leaning towards the Bluemels because I'm a total sucker for the old British lighweight look. Here (http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/lloyd356/MYBLOG/yblog.html) are some incredible examples (thanks for the link, Velo-Orange blog!). It's all in Japanese, but just scroll down to look and click on the next number for a new page (and kiss your productive afternoon goodbye).

Oh boy! Great link, now I know why the supply of vintage bikes seems to have dried up.

I installed the Berthoud stainless steel fenders on the chrome P15 yesterday, following Jan Heine's instructions and fabricating my own "L" brackets for the rear brake bridge and the front fork from stainless steel scrap stock. The key to getting the fender line right is taking your time. I'm not happy with the rear fender line, but it's because I made the rear brake bridge "L" bracket a hair too long. I'll fix it sometime over the next week.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/P15-9fenders.jpg

Oh boy! Great link, now I know why the supply of vintage bikes seems to have dried up.
Definitely the link of the year; I've only watched 2 pages, but I need a break already, where the hell do they get all these beauties???

Those look great. I like how long the front is.

I guess I'm still leaning towards the Bluemels because I'm a total sucker for the old British lighweight look. Here (http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/lloyd356/MYBLOG/yblog.html) are some incredible examples (thanks for the link, Velo-Orange blog!). It's all in Japanese, but just scroll down to look and click on the next number for a new page (and kiss your productive afternoon goodbye).


Thats an incredible collection of bikes!!

Cool link. I especially like the 'Frying Scot' , third bike down on the first page......