Classic & Vintage - Australian Road Bikes - post your pics.

I would like to start a thread in which people can post pictures of their old Australian made/branded bikes. I was going to post this in the Australian Regional section, but I think it would be better suited to the Vintage forum.

To start, I will post the Australian bikes I own/have owned.

http://au.geocities.com/conrad_logan/paconi.jpg

90's Paconi Road bike (Braeside, Victoria) Chromoly frame with Campagnolo droupouts (unsure what sort of tubing used though), Shimano Exage Deraillers, Cranks + shifters (Because the dura ace cranks that came with it were too small for me - Yes I prefer Exage to Dura Ace....) Dia Compe 400 Brakes, Wolber front wheel/Galli rear. 12 Speed. I still own this bike - recently rebuilt.

http://au.geocities.com/conrad_logan//ricardo.jpg

80s (around 1983) Ricardo Deluxe (South Australia) with hand painted pin striping - Shimano deraillers and dia compe brakes. Originally came with steel rims and dynamo light set. 12 Speed. No longer own this bike.

http://au.geocities.com/conrad_logan/progress.jpg

80s Progress bike (Windsor, Victoria) - Champion tubing, Suntour Symmetric shifters (great idea), Suntour ARX Deraillers. Shimano 600 Cranks + Biopace Chain wheels. 12 Speed. No longer own this bike.

http://www.geocities.com/conrad_logan/malvernstar.jpg

1988 Malvern Star (Originally Malvern, Victoria - but this model was from Taiwan) Tange Chromoly Tubing, Shimano Tourney Groupset, Araya Wheels. These bikes were hired out/sold to people participating in the 1988 Australian Bicentenial Bike ride from Sydney to Melbourne. 12 Speed. No longer own this bike.

http://www.geocities.com/conrad_logan/protour.jpg

80s/early 90s? Protour VQ12 (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) - Manganese Tubing, Suntour Blaze deraillers, Alesa rims, Sakae cranks with Powering. This is the roadbike that got me back into cycling. Unfortunately this bike was smashed into the back of a car - Frame bent but all other parts salvaged. The bike was much too small for me anyhow. 12 Speed.

Great looking bikes! Unfortunately I've never even seen an Australian bicycle here.

http://velospace.org/files/malvern1.jpg

older pic. ditched the blue them, new black/skinwall tires, new bars.

BUT, gonna go SS with it since the wheel base is really long and doesn't suit fixed too well. Swaping stem to fixed position Titan with a set of 1970's 'ville' city bars and levers, as well as some Japanese brooks leather grips. Going to swap out the brakes (currently a front altenburger syncron), not sure what the new ones will be. Wanted super 68's but the reach is just a hair too short. Thinking some GB's maybe.

One of my fellow commuter rail passengers had a KYPO, which was a great-looking bike.

http://velospace.org/files/malvern1.jpg

older pic. ditched the blue them, new black/skinwall tires, new bars.

BUT, gonna go SS with it since the wheel base is really long and doesn't suit fixed too well. Swaping stem to fixed position Titan with a set of 1970's 'ville' city bars and levers, as well as some Japanese brooks leather grips. Going to swap out the brakes (currently a front altenburger syncron), not sure what the new ones will be. Wanted super 68's but the reach is just a hair too short. Thinking some GB's maybe.

Did they sell these Malvern Stars in America? I have seen a few Malvern Stars, Cecil Walkers, etc in America - but I was unaware that they were exported there en masse. What year is this one, and is it an Australian, Japanese or Taiwanese build.

Nice bike by the way.

http://p1010020 my mitchell

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q299/ozneddy_photo/P1010029.jpgi,ll try again ! lol

sorry, thats a ricardo , lol (i stuffed up )

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q299/ozneddy_photo/P1010020.jpgTHIS is my mitchell lol !

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q299/ozneddy_photo/P1010020.jpgTHIS is my mitchell lol !

Very nice looking Ricardo.. I like the chrome rear stays.

Where is the Mitchell from?

mitchells were made on the gold coast, i was told they were originally called "sorenson,s" (history of them seem rather vague ) but i can tell u they are very lite 022 steel (ishawata ?) cinelli stem ,dura ace brakes and campy record fd and rd, out of all my bike,s i,m thinking THIS will be a permanent "keeper" !

mitchells were made on the gold coast, i was told they were originally called "sorenson,s" (history of them seem rather vague ) but i can tell u they are very lite 022 steel (ishawata ?) cinelli stem ,dura ace brakes and campy record fd and rd, out of all my bike,s i,m thinking THIS will be a permanent "keeper" !

I couldn't find anything about them either.. The Canberra Bicycle Museum has a page listing Australian Bicycle Manufacturers, but it is not on the list - neither is the Progress bike I used to own.

Must have been built by a small frame shop or something. Definately something to keep hold of, sounds like a really good bike.

One of my fellow commuter rail passengers had a KYPO, which was a great-looking bike.

Got three of em hanging in the shed and am friends with the builder. How did a Kypo wind up in Califormia?. (assuming thats where you are by your email location)

Got three of em hanging in the shed and am friends with the builder. How did a Kypo wind up in Califormia?. (assuming thats where you are by your email location)

Never heard of Kypo either. Where are they from?? And where are the pictures/specs?

Got three of em hanging in the shed and am friends with the builder. How did a Kypo wind up in Califormia?. (assuming thats where you are by your email location)

The owner brought it from a chap who used to live "down under." It is the only one I have ever seen. Please tell us more about the marque.

Did they sell these Malvern Stars in America? I have seen a few Malvern Stars, Cecil Walkers, etc in America - but I was unaware that they were exported there en masse. What year is this one, and is it an Australian, Japanese or Taiwanese build.

Nice bike by the way.

The frame came from Australia. To my knowledge, they didn't export. Built and sold in Australia.. I think it's mid to late 60's. No serial, so that rules out the 50's. Talked with a couple Aussie collectors and that was their guess as well for the age.

Robert Kypriotis built Kypo frames from the early 80's through to the mid-late 90's in Latrobe Valley in Victoria. I can't remember how many he built but it was in the many 100's, all custom. Would use whatever tubing you wanted, all steel, either lugs or fillet brazed. Most were road or track, with a few tandems, tourers and MTB's around. Mine are Reynolds. Two road frames (753 and 531 with Cinelli BB shells and columbus ends) and a 531 track frame. Kypo frames pop up on ebay occassionally or in the Melbourne Trading Post.

I can remember him building a couple of bikes for an American who lived down this way for a while with a local search and rescue organisation. A track frame that had a sloping top tube (like a sprint frame) and a road frame IIRC.

The frame came from Australia. To my knowledge, they didn't export. Built and sold in Australia.. I think it's mid to late 60's. No serial, so that rules out the 50's. Talked with a couple Aussie collectors and that was their guess as well for the age.

I read that in the 30s they were thinking about exporting.. Must never have gotten around to it? Who knows, the history is vague.

What sort of stickers were on the bike when you first got it? I have not seen many with a star on the fork crown either. Is the front star badge made from metal?

A similar bike to yours - except that it does not have the track style rear dropouts - but it does have a similar head tube design, forks and rear seat stays - but no info on it.

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/june/2/BearCavanagh_5.htm

I had a Kypo painted like a team Z bike of the Greg Lemond era. It was a wonderful bike to ride as it tracked true and had comfortable 72 degree angles.

Here is a track bike built for De Grandi's in Geelong by George Mac Donald. It has Zeus titanium spindled cranks and a Zeus seat post. The wheels have Campy track hubs. I love the low slung bars; they look like they mean business.http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00149.jpg

Here is a track bike built for De Grandi's in Geelong by George Mac Donald. It has Zeus titanium spindled cranks and a Zeus seat post. The wheels have Campy track hubs. I love the low slung bars; they look like they mean business.

Looks excellent - I like the gold rear rim and the stem.. Looks quite fast - probably should install some brakes!

lol. I had an old George McDonald frame when I was a kid. Don't do anything as sacreligious as putting brakes on it!!

Brakes are out of the question - it's too much fun without them. The frame is seriously well built you could run over it with a truck.

How about this one? A Hillman built by Gordon Hill in 1984.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00164.jpg

I think Hillmans are becoming more collectable - they're great Aussie bikes.

How about this one? A Hillman built by Gordon Hill in 1984.

I think Hillmans are becoming more collectable - they're great Aussie bikes.

Looks great. They are quite collectable, I have seen a lot of really nice single speeds which always fetch quite high prices when sold. Your bike is just a little smaller than one that I had. I bought the frame for $15.00 without forks. I did some very rudimentary measurements and tracked down and bought the largest fork I could find.... was short by about a cm. I ended up re-selling the frame for the same amount and chopping the fork for use on my Paconi as the chap in the shop said the only way to get a longer fork nowadays was to go custom.

http://au.geocities.com/conrad_logan/hillman.jpg

That's a big frame, 62cm? There is plenty of room between the rear wheel and the seat tube. It looks like a '70's road frame.

I have had steerer tube problems in the past also. I usually ride smaller frames - 59cm is my favourite size but the Hillman is 61.5 cm. I make myself fit.

Yes, most likely a 70's frame - had the old style cable routers above the bottom bracket, etc. I can't remember the exact measurements of it, but it was big. I think the steerer tube was around 220mm without the cups. I would like a slightly bigger frame - but I have settled for longer seatposts and slightly upturned handle bars.

It is hard to find big frames isn't it? I must admit that I am buying bigger frames now because (2 reasons) my son is 6 foot 4 and I think bigger frames are probably worth more due to their rarity. My son finds a 62cm frame still too small. I haven'y been able to source a bigger frame so we've gone the longer seat pin route as well.

Here's another one. Now I'm showing off - A Malvern Star - 5 Star Track Bike - a real Aussie collectable. This bike won the 1960 Austral Wheelrace. I got the frame in pretty bad cosmetic condition so I painted it in a similar way to the Malvern Star team bikes of the era. Campy 151pcd crankset, seatpost and hubs. Narrow Brooks B17, Cinelli track bars and badged stem.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00209.jpg

Here's another one. Now I'm showing off - this will be my last Aussie bike. A Malvern Star - 5 Star Track Bike. This bike won the 1960 Austral Wheelrace. I got the frame in pretty bad cosmetic condition so I painted it in a similar way to the Malvern Star team bikes of the era.


Another excellent bike - A five star too - I am sure this one would be ultra rare, a great find I would say -The only Malvern Stars that I have the misfortune of running into are the 1990s K-Mart style varieties (such as the red and white one I posted a photo of earlier). It is really nice to see some excellent examples such as this and seanees one.

And don't worry about showing off - If you have any more aussie bikes it would be great to see them.

It is hard to find big frames isn't it? I must admit that I am buying bigger frames now because (2 reasons) my son is 6 foot 4 and I think bigger frames are probably worth more due to their rarity. My son finds a 62cm frame still too small. I haven'y been able to source a bigger frame so we've gone the longer seat pin route as well.

They definately are a lot more uncommon than the smaller size frames. It took me a long time to find a decent bike which was comfortable enough to ride. And a large mountain bike was even harder to find. All I could find were super tiny frames or lanky looking early mountain bikes which looked like road bikes with 26'' wheels. (Finally settled on an XL Mongoose - don't ask measurements, just a big chunky bike) as well as my Paconi and a Suntourer to bang around on.

It is not easy being tall sometimes.

C Logan, I never commented on your Paconi - sorry. I am quite envious of your Paconi as I have never owned one. I have admired them over the years and I know of Paconi's reputation as a fine frame builder. Looking at your frame, it is easy to see the geometry that would produce a comfortable and stable ride and, with Campagnolo ends, I would guess that the tubing is probably high end Reynolds or Columbus. I love the paint job; the colour is an attractive cobalt blue shade going by the photo. Paconi had a really talented frame painter - I've admired his great work in the past (don't know his name).

Australia has had some would class frame builders (like every other country) and its great to see their work being collected by enthusiasts so it won't be forgotten. I have a small collection and have met some interesting and much better informed enthusiasts than myself. I really believe there is a book in there somewhere on Australian bikes.

One more - another Hillman from 1987 - built by Gordon Hill in Tange Champion (an SLX alternative). This bike is practically un-ridden. It has a full Campagnolo Triomphe Gruppo (even has the Triomphe decal) and also a first generation Avocet computer.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00107.jpg

C Logan, I never commented on your Paconi - sorry. I am quite envious of your Paconi as I have never owned one. I have admired them over the years and I know of Paconi's reputation as a fine frame builder. Looking at your frame, it is easy to see the geometry that would produce a comfortable and stable ride and, with Campagnolo ends, I would guess that the tubing is probably high end Reynolds or Columbus. I love the paint job; the colour is an attractive cobalt blue shade going by the photo. Paconi had a really talented frame painter - I've admired his great work in the past (don't know his name).


Thanks for that. I am quite happy with it. I built the bike for around $100. I bought the bike from eBay at the 'buy it now' price of $15.00. It was quite dusty - some surface rust on the forks, etc - but I was very happy with it after I had cleaned it up as the frame was almost immaculate.

They are really nice frames - light and strong. The paint looks great and hardly any chips - the only problem is that it is very fragile for some reason. I am not sure if it has been resprayed at some point but everytime I bang the bike it chips. Was thinking of getting it powder coated. Although, Bicycle Recycle in Moorabbin do strip + paint for $100, but I will have to do some more investigation on this. I haven't seen any of their work yet - but if anyone knows any good powder coaters or painters I might be interested some time in the future if the paint gets any worse.



Australia has had some would class frame builders (like every other country) and its great to see their work being collected by enthusiasts so it won't be forgotten. I have a small collection and have met some interesting and much better informed enthusiasts than myself. I really believe there is a book in there somewhere on Australian bikes.


Definately - A lot of great bikes around such as your Hillmans, Paconis, Llewellyns (really nice lug work) etc, etc. I have only been back into cycling for around a year, so I have not amassed a large collection as yet - but I am learning a lot about Aussie bikes, as well as the mechanical side of things.



One more - another Hillman from 1987 - built by Gordon Hill in Tange Champion (an SLX alternative). This bike is practically un-ridden. It has a full Campagnolo Triomphe Gruppo (even has the Triomphe decal) and also a first generation Avocet computer.



Once again, another fine example! I am on the lookout for another Hillman now - hopefully with less of a fork length requirement. Really nice bikes, but not easy to find.

i have a Macini which i was told was made in Sydney by an italian frame builder called Macini who now lives in Oz but missed doing his passion ! not many made so i believe ,made from Columbus tubing, will post a pic as soon as i can !

Hillmans often crop-up on ebay and I think they are a good buy. Thay have been in the business for a very long time. They also sponsored some really great riders.

I have not heard of Macini so I would be very interested in seeing the bike and reading your comments about the bike. Ozneddy, the Mitchell is very interesting and I love the colour. The orange Ricardo is a great looking frame. It looks to be an early 70's frame - very nice bike

A really nice website - lots of Australian bike pictures and information. http://www.collectablecycles.com/index_files/BikeGallery.htm

Another interesting website here: http://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/brands%20&%20companys%20table.htm

On the same website: http://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/Frame%20Details%20by%20Place.htm

On the above two pages from the Canberra Bike Museum - they both list Australian brands and companies, but each have information that the other may not have. The website as a whole is a little inconsistent and difficult to navigate, but they have some handy information if you have the time and patience to browse it.

i have a Macini which i was told was made in Sydney by an italian frame builder called Macini who now lives in Oz but missed doing his passion ! not many made so i believe ,made from Columbus tubing, will post a pic as soon as i can !

Sounds like an interesting bike - I did a search on Macini and found this link : http://www.riverlandcyclingclub.com/bikeporn/pornindex.htm

Two Macinis listed:

"Full Cro-Mo tubeset and forks built by Macini. I have been told he is an Australian builder but do not know any more about the builder than that. One major accident on this bike, back when I lived in Adelaide."

"According to Bob, the Macini name comes from a man that used to make bikes at Super Elliots in Adelaide. This bike has stood the test of time and will be around for a few years yet! "

I also found that this site which has an '86 Macini frame on display, and another for sale.

"Hand built Macini road racing frame, made circa 1986 by Ron Whitehorn, master frame builder and champion South Australian racing cyclist. "

link: http://www.collectablecycles.com/index_files/Macini_Road_Frame.htm

Looking forward to seeing your bike anyway and if anyone can enlighten with more details on the brand.

Hillmans often crop-up on ebay and I think they are a good buy. Thay have been in the business for a very long time. They also sponsored some really great riders.


I have seen a few Hillman Single speeds on eBay - all of which reached quite good prices. One was immaculate - a creamy colour - everything on the bike was polished nicely - even the tyres. It looked great.

Hey guys, new here but have a new-to-me late 60's path frame- a Hallmark from Keep Bros. and Wood Pty. in Melbourne. I just got it in San Diego, CA two weeks ago. Anybody have any info on the frames/bikes?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/tjchad/Bike/DSC00003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/tjchad/Bike/DSC00004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/tjchad/Bike/DSC00006.jpg

EDIT: Fixed links...

Chad

Cool paint! Vintage path racers are the new orange.

That is some nice pinstriping! Would it be possible to get a close-up on the pinstriping on the fork?

Thank you for posting :) .

East Hill

Something a little different - A Kenevans lo pro time trial bike from the late 80's. I painted the frame as it was in undercoat when I found it. 700 rear / 650 front wheels and 1st gen. Shimano 600 gears. Weinnman Delta brakes.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00141.jpg

a couple of XXXX,s and it will look like any other aussie bike ! lol

Hey guys, new here but have a new-to-me late 60's path frame- a Hallmark from Keep Bros. and Wood Pty. in Melbourne. I just got it in San Diego, CA two weeks ago. Anybody have any info on the frames/bikes?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/tjchad/DSC00003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/tjchad/DSC00009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/tjchad/DSC00005.jpg

Chad

Pics are no longer working

Something a little different - A Kenevans lo pro time trial bike from the late 80's. I painted the frame as it was in undercoat when I found it. 700 rear / 650 front wheels and 1st gen. Shimano 600 gears. Weinnman Delta brakes.



Interesting bike! I bet you get a lot of looks when riding it.

It's not that nice to ride to be perfectly honest. The position is fine but the bike just wants to go straight; it fights the natural wobble you need to make riding a pleasure. It's not so bad that you would avoid riding it but it is noticable.

This is an aussie built Mc Bain frame. Early Columbus SLX - look at the top of the front fork crown. I painted this one and the Columbus decal is not correct - its what I had laying around. I based the paint jod on a Bob Jackson frame I saw in a magazine. The gruppo is Nuovo Record except the seat post because I could paint the flutes and it has the 'porta cantena' chain derailling system. My interest in restoring this frame was because it had the two screw holes for the '78 porta cantena chain hanger in the right rear dropout and it had the early model SLX fork crown.

When I found the frame - after a 2 year search - It didn't have an identity. It didn't seem to be a frame with a particular bike companies 'fingerprint' so I put my own name on it. As it turned out, it was built in Tasmania by a builder that, I understand, made frames for other companies so i'm ok with my name on it - but it is a little weird though.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00155-1.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/DSC00157.jpg

Pics are no longer working

Fixed...

Can I post a pic of my Pogliaghi? I bought it from Eddie Salas.

Lotek - Yes please.

tichad - your frame looks very nice. The pinstriping is in great condition. I had a dragster that was Hallmark branded. The dragster was probably a late 60's bike which would make it a similar vintage to your great frame. Its going to look spectacular when you complete it.