Classic & Vintage - A shed for the local frame builders

A thread for small or obscure hand built frames, built locally, or no longer in existence etc. The Webster's the Wilson's the Stoke's the Selbach's of the world. What constitutes small, you may ask. I'd be more than happy to see something like a "real" Claud Butler. When the man himself was at the helm. Pre 57 I think. But that would be about the limit of the more famous marques. This is not in any way designed to be exclusive, on the contrary. More a celebration of some of the lesser known makers who generally do not receive the wider respect or recognition which befits them.
Anyway here's mine. Early seventies J F Wilson 531 of Sheffield. Built by the man who's name is on the frame. Now how bloody good is that? I'd like to see you find Mr Trek. Wilson's is now run by his son, the family name is still making frames after almost 60 years. http://www.wilsoncycles.co.uk/
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h208/markdhudson/DSC02395.jpg

Excellent idea!
Gives me an excuse to show some of mine:) this one from the Rawtenstall, Lancashire builder Johnny Kay.
Don't know a lot about him but he made some beautiful machines.
This one was made in 1959 and was a classy bike in its day.
Still is if you ask me.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Jonny%20Kay%20Ruairi%201959/JKProfNewTyres.jpg
Bought it for £10 in a pretty dirty state, but it's looking good here in the sunshine.
I also have a pic of it in an exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall (London) in 1965 ridden by it's second owner for nigh on 50 years.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Jonny%20Kay%20Ruairi%201959/jkfrom60s.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Jonny%20Kay%20Ruairi%201959/JkFronttorear.jpg

Was called Ruairi (pronounced Rory I believe) and sounds Gaelic/Irish to me.
Or possibly Maori?
I think one of our NZ contributors might expand on that one!!

Lovely Viscount. Must admit it's a new one on me. That's just what I was hoping with this thread. The frame has obviously been resprayed, but looks all original other than that. What a bonus to have an old photo of it. More please.

I want more Lanky bikes, please!

East Hill

Lovely Viscount. Must admit it's a new one on me. That's just what I was hoping with this thread. The frame has obviously been resprayed, but looks all original other than that. What a bonus to have an old photo of it. More please.

It was new to me when I bought it!
The frame was repainted in the 60s by the guy you see at RAH.
He was a proper enthusiast, doing thousands of miles per year in his heyday.
Now he is a retired teacher, selling cactus seeds on ebay!

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=6333roger

I'm ashamed to say I have had no communication with him for a long time:(

Didn't say before but I sold the bike when I moved from Worcester last year....
Along with my 47 Rudge Sports, and several other machines I could not accommodate in my new small 'retirement' flat. (Still got toooooo many!)

OK, more pics by request!
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Jonny%20Kay%20Ruairi%201959/JKChainwheeldetail.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Jonny%20Kay%20Ruairi%201959/JkBars8.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Jonny%20Kay%20Ruairi%201959/JKSeattubeLogo.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Jonny%20Kay%20Ruairi%201959/JKSaddlecloseup.jpg

Some not very good quality but you can see it was a smashing bicycle, now owned by an enthusiast in the West Country.
In good hands I'm sure.

I will mail the original owner tonight and provide him with a link to BF.
I'm certain he will be pleased with what he sees.

Now he is a retired teacher, selling cactus seeds on ebay!

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=6333roger

That's absolutely brilliant. You couldn't make it up.
The bicycle is a gem. Hope we get some more this good coming through.

Don't need to make it up, you know.
Things just have a way of happening.

One of my favourite sayings:
"Do the right things, the right things happen."
I'm sure it's true!

In two minds whether to tell everybody about Kevin Gundle!??
Should I? Such a lovely story.

I think this thread will get some surprises!

In two minds whether to tell everybody about Kevin Gundle!??
Should I? Such a lovely story.


Stop teasing us! Oh, and take a look here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=369318

East Hill

You might not believe this, but I thought I'd take a look at other threads before I got to cook my daily food (I'm currently starving, not even had breakfast yet at 16:30 or so!!) and came across the Pletscher question. Answered it then came back here!
Is that ESP again?

The thing about Kevin Gundle is one of propriety/ethics of telling stuff publicly.
Not a tease, I promise. (This time)
Shall I PM you and then you can judge for yourself?

You might not believe this, but I thought I'd take a look at other threads before I got to cook my daily food (I'm currently starving, not even had breakfast yet (at 16:30 or so!!) and came across the Pletscher question. Answered it then came back here!
Is that ESP again?

The thing about Kevin Gundle is one of propriety/ethics of telling stuff publicly.
Not a tease, I promise. (This time)
Shall I PM you and then you can judge for yourself?

Yes, ESP for sure!

A PM would be good :) .

Have your brekky first though!

East Hill

Can we have photos of lesser known frame makers with your hijackings?

ok, small dutch builder Jan de Reus. One time racer, retired started building frames and
then tragically died (hit by car? I think).
This is one of 2 known de Reus bikes in the U.S. (the other is owned by BF member CV-6)
http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/133136-2/P1010078.jpg
Another small Dutch builder Ko Zieleman, learned framebuilding from his father who reportedly
was a better frame builder than his son (and I have no idea how to tell their work apart).
imported less than 300 bikes to the U.S. total.
http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/132949-2/Ziel1.jpg

Do any of you Brits have a good photo of a Bespoke (brand) bike? I'd love to see
an example of Norris' work. Maybe a Jack Hearns? Hurlow?

Marty

Frame by Altinger, a part-time framebuilder from Munich/Germany (his full-time job is, i believe, facility maintenance at a hospital. a lot of local riders raced his frames in the 70ies to the 90ies. All built to measure with some unique features (the rear triangle is so tight that only 20mm tires will fit and have to be deflafted before removal, also note the rear brake cable routing thorigh the seatpost).
This frame is a 61cm from 1992, has seen approximately 120.000km on the road under a 80+kg rider. It has a Crit-like geometry and is made from Columbus SL, because Altinger felt SLX was too fragile for a frame this size.

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_altinger_nikon__002.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_altinger_nikon__006.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_altinger_nikon__010.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_altinger_nikon__012.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_altinger_nikon__003.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_altinger_nikon__005.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/altinger_nikon__001.jpg

Room in the shed for a Nigel Dean?
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/NDean4th.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/NDean2nd.jpg
Not an obscure maker but not everyday either.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/NDean1.jpg
Given to me, but far too small.

My 82 Proteus...built in College Park, Maryland...

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus/Proteus2.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus/Proteus3.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus/Proteus1.jpg

there sure is some nice eye-candy in this thread, keep it coming! Love all the obscure British bikes, and that German one is a stunner, too...what kind of stem is that, looks kind of Titanium (?) The Proteus scares me, and the neighborhood children! ;)

Ooh, ooh. Can I squeeze in my O'Brien 753? The name on the frame's Liam O'Brien but i think it was actually built by Eddie Bosomworth (eponymous to Kiwi cyclists everywhere). regards - Jeff

Lotek - I like the Reus, the paint is superb.
Marti- Love the chrome on your Altinger, very subtle.
Viscount- Always room for a little Nigel, me Granddad had a Nigel Dean. Very nice ride. It's like little & large compared with..
Barndoor- former jockey? What, of Shire horses? I'm 6'5 and I reckon I'd need to get me Cuban heels on for that thing. Wonderful.
Jeffieh- No need for lights at night. Amazing paintwork. 753 too. Very nice.
Keep them coming. It's good to have a bit of history with them too.

that German one is a stunner, too...what kind of stem is that, looks kind of Titanium (?)
Cinelli Grammo... yep, its a Ti part.

Can we have photos of lesser known frame makers with your hijackings?
Oops! Sorry:rolleyes:

This bike stems from a belgian bike racers dynasty: each of the last three generations of the family have been racing successfully.
The builder of said bike, Joseph van Staeyen, was bike race pro from 1948 to 1957, his son Ludo van Staeyen earned his money with cycling from 1971 to 1977 and it seems as if Ludo's nephew Michael van Staeyen wants to add to that history, he's 19 and has been quite successful in racing since 2004.

The bike itself was made at the family's bike shop in Schoten/Antwerpen, about 1974, for the brother of the very nice elderly gentleman who gave me the bike.
It's made of Reynolds 531 db tubing and equipped with Campagnolo Record - mostly Nuovo Record, but with Super Record hubs and Super Record rear derailleur Pat.73.
Everything else is Cinelli, except rims are Mavic "Championnat du Monde Professionnel" (what a name!).
The little sticker on the fork says "Groene Leeuw", the last team Jos van Staeyen rode for - a nice personal touch in place of the common Reynolds stickers.
Head tube lugs and rear dropouts are not chromed, but seem to be sprayed with a very uncommon type of paint that makes those parts look very chrome-like.
The bike hasn't been used too much or even hard, everything is in original condition with very little wear (it's even possible that tires and bar tape are original, but I could be wrong at that.)

Some pics to the story:

The bike shop at Churchilllaan 16, Schoten, Antwerpen, Belgium.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/4devanlinksisJosVanStaeyen.VoordefietsenwinkelvanVanStaeyenendeChurchillaan.jpg

Bike racers from three generations: Jos van Staeyen is the racer on the left ...
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/LinksJosVanStaeyenenDeCockinhetmiddendixitM.V.E.jpg

Ludo van Staeyen, Joseph's son and ...
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/VanStayen,Ludo.jpg

Michael van Staeyen, Joseph's grandson (not very classic nor vintage, naturally);
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/VanStaeyen,Michael.jpg

1974 Van Staeyen - the bike.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/VanStaeyen.jpg

Sabatini, no longer mine.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d28/drong/side-1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d28/drong/ht.jpg

Can't find anything on the builder. There's another Sabatini on Campyonly, and another was recently sold on the bay, but apart from that, nada.

early 70s corky gulbransen, now a champion waterfowl wood carver
http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/273753-2/Bike01.jpg

early 70s corky gulbransen, now a champion waterfowl wood carver
http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/273753-2/Bike01.jpg


That is so freaking cool. Corky has my last name. I have to have that bike. a cinelli was just kicked off the top of my retro dream list. how popular are these bikes? do they all say corky or is there a fat g-u-l-b-r-a-n-s-e-n sticker. maybe only on the taller models. I'm dumbfounded. maybe I can talk him out of retirement to build a sweet bike for his long lost nephew?
for future reference the top of my non retro list is an Inglis Retrotec Half road bike. then a Iron Horse Sunday World Cup

Here's my local handbuilt. Not painted by Dr. D but cool none the less. is 1998 vintage?

edit: that was a Dr D painted bike? how much, right now is it a 57?

That is so freaking cool. Corky has my last name. I have to have that bike.

NOT ON YOUR LIFE! It's a 62cm anyway.

This is the later logo, as far as I know his bikes were all said corky. Corky was his nickname only. This is the only one I have ever seen. I know cycleart has restored one. The CR list all but ignored this bike save one or 2 members. There was no response to my suggestion to include Corky in the USA builders page.

my quest has begun. I must find Corky. he lives in California? I have to look him up in the gulbransen only phone book

My 82 Proteus...built in College Park, Maryland...


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus/Proteus1.jpg
This machine is frighteningly huge!
But a lovely looking machine.
Who on earth is riding it?

^^^
Barndoor! He is 6'7" tall :eek: ! A proud member of the Clydesdale/Athena forum :D .

East Hill

Wow! Is all I can say.
Speechless else.
Unusual for me that is....
Me a midget at 6' 1".

The Proteus scares me, and the neighborhood children! ;)

Ha! ... and with those Neuvation wheels on it, it is quite stealthy , ta boot! Imagine an 800 pound gorilla on a quiet bike .......:D

Ha! ... and with those Neuvation wheels on it, it is quite stealthy , ta boot! Imagine an 800 pound gorilla on a quiet bike .......:D

Keep riding is all I say.
That is one cool bike.
Quiet not, stealthy yes, but cooool.

This bike stems from a belgian bike racers dynasty: each of the last three generations of the family have been racing successfully.
The builder of said bike, Joseph van Staeyen, was bike race pro from 1948 to 1957, his son Ludo van Staeyen earned his money with cycling from 1971 to 1977 and it seems as if Ludo's nephew Michael van Staeyen wants to add to that history, he's 19 and has been quite successful in racing since 2004.

The bike itself was made at the family's bike shop in Schoten/Antwerpen, about 1974, for the brother of the very nice elderly gentleman who gave me the bike.
It's made of Reynolds 531 db tubing and equipped with Campagnolo Record - mostly Nuovo Record, but with Super Record hubs and Super Record rear derailleur Pat.73.
Everything else is Cinelli, except rims are Mavic "Championnat du Monde Professionnel" (what a name!).
The little sticker on the fork says "Groene Leeuw", the last team Jos van Staeyen rode for - a nice personal touch in place of the common Reynolds stickers.
Head tube lugs and rear dropouts are not chromed, but seem to be sprayed with a very uncommon type of paint that makes those parts look very chrome-like.
The bike hasn't been used too much or even hard, everything is in original condition with very little wear (it's even possible that tires and bar tape are original, but I could be wrong at that.)

Some pics to the story:

The bike shop at Churchilllaan 16, Schoten, Antwerpen, Belgium.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/4devanlinksisJosVanStaeyen.VoordefietsenwinkelvanVanStaeyenendeChurchillaan.jpg

Bike racers from three generations: Jos van Staeyen is the racer on the left ...
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/LinksJosVanStaeyenenDeCockinhetmiddendixitM.V.E.jpg

Ludo van Staeyen, Joseph's son and ...
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/VanStayen,Ludo.jpg

Michael van Staeyen, Joseph's grandson (not very classic nor vintage, naturally);
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/VanStaeyen,Michael.jpg

1974 Van Staeyen - the bike.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-11/1285843/VanStaeyen.jpg

Nice bike VintageR!
BTW, would you know anything about the three colours at the top of
the seatstays? I have those same orange-white-green stripes on my '77 Groene Leeuw, but
nobody seems to know why those (Irish) colours are there...

Proteus bike shop in College Park , Maryland built bikes from the early 70's to mid-late 80's I believe...quite nice work!
Here is another shot of the updated '82 Proteus, plus a new addition to the Proteus fold....a '77, recently purchased from Craigslist in Baltimore by yours truly....it is a '77 Proteus Century Touring model, 68cm seat tube and 59cm top tube....purchased from it's original owner with paperwork!
Enjoy!....
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus/100_0429.jpg

The '77, this is what it looked like when I picked it up:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusfullside.jpg

...then cleaned up a bit:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusunloaded.jpg

...and some links to other pics:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusheadtubelug.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusrearhub.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusunloadedfrontal.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77ProteusunloadedII.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/Pacer2000computer.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusseatlug.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusdowntube.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h40/beatlefan_1961/Proteus%2077/77Proteusfronthub.jpg

Nice bike VintageR!
BTW, would you know anything about the three colours at the top of
the seatstays? I have those same orange-white-green stripes on my '77 Groene Leeuw, but
nobody seems to know why those (Irish) colours are there...

Hi Jos,
funny you noticed this detail!
I asked myself the same question and found no hint anywhere until you posted your reply.
From what you said I conclude that Mh. Van Staeyen used these colors in regard to his last pro team, the Groene Leeuw. Let me know when you find out more about these colors and the green lion.

I have another one to add.

This is a built-to-measure Vittorio (doesn't have a serial number, but the purchaser's name cut into the bottom bracket!), a 1982 Strada model.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-2/1299397/VittorioRight.jpg

The bike was built by Jan de Groot in Alkmaar/Noord-Holland. Yes, the bike's name sounds italian, but actually it's a true dutch meisje :).

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-2/1299397/VittorioSeattube.jpg

Vittorio/de Groot has been around as a builder since the late 1940s and has achieved international fame for his custom built Randonneur/Traveller bikes and (racing) Tandems.
The bike shown is one of the last bikes Jan de Groot built before he retired.
[In the early 80s Jan's son Frank took over the regime and sharpened the market profile of the brand to it's current state; some years ago he passed on the brand and the shop to the current owners. So the marque is still alive and kicking: The Vittorio Website (http://www.vittorio.nl).]

This bike is completely built with italian parts: Columbus tubing, Cinelli/3TTT bars & stem, Selle San Marco saddle, the rest is Campagnolo; the only non-italian parts are Mavic rims.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-2/1299397/VittorioDrivetrain.jpg

It's quite a tall frame measuring 65 cm ~ 25,5", but it delivers a buttery smooth ride. It seems as if it was made to ride Paris-Roubaix (and back), as it literally floats over cobbles and rough roads - even with the stiff wheels/tires combo it has now (it came with GP4 tubulars).
This probably has something to do with the builder's experience in brazing highly comfortable touring frames as well with the pick of the tubeset, which should be Columbus SP - hardly to be seen on Vittorios of that time and an uncommon choice for dutch builders at all (most of them prefered Reynolds 531).

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-2/1299397/VittorioRearview.jpg

A very nice piece of workmanship with a bit of collector's cache and a unique feel of ride.

Thought I would put this machine in the shed for posterity.
A mid 50s Pollard built in Coventry England.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/PollardHellenicProfile1.jpg

This a rare machine in this format with the Hellenic seat-stays.
I put a Vernier gauge across the lower part of the taper where it joins the drop-outs, and it is 8.5mm!!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/PollardHellenicFrontProfile.jpg

Found languishing in a shed in Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry, England, which turns out to be the very road where it was made!

Some components are believed not original, IE:
The steel wheels, rear mech, saddle and possibly even the Williams chain-set which I have used to date it.
If the Williams is an upgrade then it could be older than 57.

These machines were popular with club-men in the 40s.
See here:
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/pollard.html

Original parts seem to be GB Coureur brake-set, GB spear-point stem and Atalet headset.
Also the Blumels Clubman guards. (The rear is off for a small repair)

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/PollardHellenicStemSpearpoint.jpg

It is in fine condition although the obvious repaint means the decals are not present.

A thread for small or obscure hand built frames, built locally, or no longer in existence etc. The Webster's the Wilson's the Stoke's the Selbach's of the world. What constitutes small, you may ask. I'd be more than happy to see something like a "real" Claud Butler. When the man himself was at the helm. Pre 57 I think. But that would be about the limit of the more famous marques. This is not in any way designed to be exclusive, on the contrary. More a celebration of some of the lesser known makers who generally do not receive the wider respect or recognition which befits them.
Anyway here's mine. Early seventies J F Wilson 531 of Sheffield. Built by the man who's name is on the frame. Now how bloody good is that? I'd like to see you find Mr Trek. Wilson's is now run by his son, the family name is still making frames after almost 60 years. http://www.wilsoncycles.co.uk/
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h208/markdhudson/DSC02395.jpg

Excellent idea, and a great first example. I don't have one, but I have beenintriqued by a former small Welsh builder, Tony Oliver, and by Coloradan Rich Gangl. On this list I'd also put Ron Boi, of RRB Cycles in Kenilworth, IL.

I'd love to see examples of these builders' work, and share any stories about them.

Road Fan

This is now sold, as a frame, to the brother of the guy pictured riding a similar machine on the Classic-Lightweights Pollard page in 1949:
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/pollard.html

Uncovering the bars they turn out to be Stratalite Maes, on a GB Hinduminium Spear-point stem.
GB Coureuer brake-set seems to be original too, which seems to date it in the early 50s.

Is a Thanet Silverthan entitled to be in the shed too?
This one is November 1947 and done a recorded 125,000 miles up to 1972.
In storage since until I rescued it about a month ago.
Now in fine fettle and rides very nicely.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/thanetnewparts003-1.jpg

Has Chater Lea wide flange hubs, chain-wheel and pedals.
Lytaloy-brake set, Reynolds stem.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/thanetnewparts021.jpg

Reynolds Hiduminium Marsh pattern bars, Brooks B17 (laced) and saddle bag support.


http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/thanetnewparts002.jpg

Suntour Skitter rear mech, but braze-ons for Cyclo. (Looking for one currently)
The chrome finish is 95% and just looks great to me.
Has been seen elsewhere on BF, but these are the latest pics.