Classic & Vintage - Please Help: English Trusty Manufacturing Lightweight Racer

I'm having trouble dating this bike. Someone said it might be 1950's. I'm restoring it at the moment. Got some really nice bits on it.

It's all stripped down now a ready for a re-spray. Just got a few details I need to iron out.

What's staying: Gerry Burgess bars and headset, weinerman brakes, lycett saddle.

I want to change the Crank for everyday use. Do I have to replace the BB as well as crank set? BB in fantastic order but would a more modern one be better?

Anyone recommend a good set of wheels to compliment the old styling.

Nice bike and a beautiful watering can.

From the brake handles, I am guessing early 1960s vintage. It looks like a basic straight-gauge carbon steel frameset, probably comparable to a Peugeot AO-8. If you want to switch to cotterless aluminum cranks, you will need a new bottom bracket, or at least a new spindle, but your ISO threading should simplify the search. If you can find one cheaply enough, an early Stronglight or TA crankset would be period-correct and would look smashing on that frame. I hope you are not going to obliterate those wonderful old decals -- instead of respraying, consider cleaning it up and touching up the rough spots.

Since your frame lacks a derailleur hanger, it might be a good candidate for a Sturmey-Archer 3- or 4-speed hub, which would give it the classic club bike look.

Thanks John. Nice advice. I went to a really good bike repair shop today and they said I won't be able to find a nice pair of wheels to fit. They have got new ones to fit but the're cheap and poor quaility. Any idea's where I could get a good recon'ed pair of rims?

Thanks John. Nice advice. I went to a really good bike repair shop today and they said I won't be able to find a nice pair of wheels to fit. They have got new ones to fit but the're cheap and poor quaility. Any idea's where I could get a good recon'ed pair of rims?

What's the wheel size? If the frame was designed for 26 x 1 1/4, you can probably fit 26 x 1 3/8, in which case you can probably find decent vintage rims or get nice new alloy ones, tolerable tires, and you can use any hubs you like.

I like the idea of an internally geared hub, but they all use shifters that aren't going to fit on your handlebar.

It takes 27" wheels. Can't seem to find too much out there. Could turn it into a fixed wheel or single speed?

Find another shop - 27" rims are still purchasable, along with 27" wheels. You can probably buy a cheap steel pair from one of the LBS's for $60 or so, or this spiffy set from Harris (probably overkill):

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/630.html

You might also be able to find a used bike dealer with some wheels he would be willing to sell on your local Craigslist.

-Kurt

My advice is to keep it and be patient.
All the advice you need is here.
Just ask the right questions.

loving those wheels. Just checked they don't deliver to the UK. What a shame. I'll get on the net tonight and hunt down something similar. Thanks dude.

Kevin,
Cool bike! I agree with John E with regard to the internal hub. I use a ‘50’s vintage Sturmey Archer FW on one of my bikes and love it. My suspicion is that they are easier to find there in the UK than here in the US. You can adapt the standard 4 speed shifter to fit drop bars. Depending on its previous use, you may need to get a longer screw for the clamp.

Sorry I don’t have a close-up of the handlebar / shifter setup but the attached shows the configuration I use.

Regards,
Alan

Way back when, S-A used a top tube shifter. They are classy looking and show up on Ebay now and then.

Way back when, S-A used a top tube shifter. They are classy looking and show up on Ebay now and then.Like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110266236629

or this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120264528119

Just kidding ... I think you mean this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220251102536

Bob

This is amazing dudes. As you are aware I'm pretty new to this so thanks for all your help. Got a lot of research to do, a bit of measuring up and I'll be back on your cases for some more help soon. I never thought it would be so hard. Speak soon. Kevin