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02-18-08, 07:55 AM
Tony here from Stockton-on-Tees in the UK.
I have joined this community because I am very interested in keeping alive the names and machines of the old school cycle makers.
I started my cycle racing in 1968 on a Carlton Franco Italia, The rear changer I remember was a campag gran sport made from brass!!!.
I had my first custom built frame in 1969, a Holdsworth Super minstral fast back, cost me £25.00, a real bargain now, but took me months of paper round earnings to pay for it then.
I now have a Merlin San Remo, hand made by Bob Jacksons, cost me £325.00 in 1981, built it up with a Campag record group set. Had it renovated by Bob Jacksons in 1992, many modifications, cost around £400.00. Refitted it with a Shimano 600 group set, Had it stolen in January this year, after 28 years it was like loosing me best friend. Fortunately the police recovered and returned it undamaged. It is only now that I appreciate its true value.
For those of you that remember Jack Taylor cycles. I am live very near Norman Taylor the frame builder from the brothers. He still lives in his mothers house where the bussiness started, and the old cycle workshop is still in the back garden, fully stocked, but not used. Norman had a stroke in 2003 and is unable to braze any more.
All the best.
I have joined this community because I am very interested in keeping alive the names and machines of the old school cycle makers.
I started my cycle racing in 1968 on a Carlton Franco Italia, The rear changer I remember was a campag gran sport made from brass!!!.
I had my first custom built frame in 1969, a Holdsworth Super minstral fast back, cost me £25.00, a real bargain now, but took me months of paper round earnings to pay for it then.
I now have a Merlin San Remo, hand made by Bob Jacksons, cost me £325.00 in 1981, built it up with a Campag record group set. Had it renovated by Bob Jacksons in 1992, many modifications, cost around £400.00. Refitted it with a Shimano 600 group set, Had it stolen in January this year, after 28 years it was like loosing me best friend. Fortunately the police recovered and returned it undamaged. It is only now that I appreciate its true value.
For those of you that remember Jack Taylor cycles. I am live very near Norman Taylor the frame builder from the brothers. He still lives in his mothers house where the bussiness started, and the old cycle workshop is still in the back garden, fully stocked, but not used. Norman had a stroke in 2003 and is unable to braze any more.
All the best.