Classic & Vintage - Trying to find more info about a RIH track frame...

Hey, I bought this frame about a month or so ago and I'm trying to find out some more information about it. It looks like the frame was re-painted by some previous owner, so there is no decals or tubing stickers. All I know is that it was made sometime in the mid 70's (though I'm not 100% sure). The frame has Campagnolo stamped dropouts. There is 317A stamped on the headtube, and the number 25 stamped on the bottom bracket shell. The guy I bought it off said it was raced in the Commonwealth Games many years ago, and that's all I really know about it. Here are some photos.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2871852194_c8ef36980f.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2871853088_f0830da538.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2871024945_00f6b354c1.jpg

Does anyone have anymore information on this frame? Maybe tubing details? It's hard to find any decent information about RIH's.

good rats,
I don't know what frame this is, but I DO know that there are two builders using RIH as their brand name. RIH Austria are top-notch racing bikes, and I have only seen road models. RIH Holland are strongly built racing frames, built for Kermesse races, and track. Both are quality frames. It looks like you have an older Dutch frame. It is very cool looking. It is odd that the seat stay bridge appears to be drilled for a brake caliper, but the front fork isn't. Weird.

The seat stay bridge looks like it's drilled for a brake, but it's not, the holes don't follow through to the other side. There are also some more drill holes above those three holes.

The seat stay bridge looks like it's drilled for a brake, but it's not, the holes don't follow through to the other side. There are also some more drill holes above those three holes.

Hmmmm, for "lightening" that massive heavy bridge piece, perhaps...or more likely it whistles a cheery tune as you rush past the finish line;)
In any case, that's a great frame...I'm sure one of our Dutch bike fans can add a little more to the story.

Nice find:
a Bit of history:
RIH was formed in 1921 by the Bustraan brothers in Amsterdam Holland. The name RIH is the name of an Arabian stallion ridden by one of the characters in a German Cowboy novel which was very popular at the time. Wim van der Kaaij is the current owner of RIH and has been with the company since
the late 40's.
It is estimated that RIH frames have been ridden to over 350 national championships in both road and track events and 63 World and Olympic titles.
RIH are known for their track bikes, (and their road bikes are nothing to scoff at either).
Frames are mostly built with Reynolds tubing, I'd guess yours is 531 double butted.
I own an RIH road frame, serial number 890x and it's a 1974 model so I would guess yours is a bit
newer, 72 or 73. The drilled brake bridge is a poor attempt at weight weenieism,
a carryover from the drillium craze of the 70s ?
RIH are still in business. There are 2 'divisions'
The RIH shop in Amsterdam caters to the race crowd, and the RIH-Cove is more
a city bike production shop.
http://www.rih.nl/site/default.php (dutch web site, COVE )
http://www.rihsportamsterdam.nl/ ( dutch site, Amsterdam shop).

Marty

Nice find:
a Bit of history:
RIH was formed in 1921 by the Bustraan brothers in Amsterdam Holland. The name RIH is the name of an Arabian stallion ridden by one of the characters in a German Cowboy novel which was very popular at the time. Wim van der Kaaij is the current owner of RIH and has been with the company since
the late 40's.
It is estimated that RIH frames have been ridden to over 350 national championships in both road and track events and 63 World and Olympic titles.
RIH are known for their track bikes, (and their road bikes are nothing to scoff at either).
Frames are mostly built with Reynolds tubing, I'd guess yours is 531 double butted.
I own an RIH road frame, serial number 890x and it's a 1974 model so I would guess yours is a bit
newer, 72 or 73. The drilled brake bridge is a poor attempt at weight weenieism,
a carryover from the drillium craze of the 70s ?
RIH are still in business. There are 2 'divisions'
The RIH shop in Amsterdam caters to the race crowd, and the RIH-Cove is more
a city bike production shop.
http://www.rih.nl/site/default.php (dutch web site, COVE )
http://www.rihsportamsterdam.nl/ ( dutch site, Amsterdam shop).

Marty

these days, not so much.