Classic & Vintage - English Frame Builders from late 70s / early 80s - SP?

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jmarkha1
11-27-08, 01:25 PM
I bought a bike when I was 16 from my bike club - it was donated by a racing team - no idea which one.
I have got round to rebuilding it now - it has cinelli-like holed lugs, brazed campy 1010 dropouts, phil wood english BB, 27.2 camp post, 1" cinelli headset, chromed rear and forks. The BB has SP 91 pressed into it and also similar on the steerer tube. Would be nice to know who or what SP is - 91 is not 1991 as I bought it early in 80s. Any ideas?
I have attached a link to pictures for anyone with a keen eye - thanks...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jakeandmarta/bikepics2/index.html
Tom Stormcrowe
12-14-08, 11:13 PM
Let's see if the C&V guys can help you out. ;)
mkeller234
12-14-08, 11:18 PM
Very unique and interesting lugs, I like it. Nice kitchen cabinets btw, ikea? I hope someone has an idea of the make.
oldbobcat
12-14-08, 11:43 PM
Your frame has an interesting combination of features--a traditional road racing geometry, full sloping fork crown without reinforcing tangs, and an early-70s Raleigh Professional style of fastback seat stay treatment but with the stays brazed directly to the seat tube rather than an extended lug. The geometry is all wrong for a Raleigh, too.
Didn't Ron Cooper connect his seat stays directly to the seat tube like this?
unworthy1
12-15-08, 05:54 AM
I guessed already on this: Stan Pike, and it's all I've got for those initials. These are better and more complete shots of the frame than before...the seat cluster is sort of a variation of the "Victor" style that the Raleigh Pro popularised, but did not invent, there were many others who tried a hand at that style, and Brampton was given the credit for at least naming it. Looks like a very nice frame, with a nod (and wink) to Cinelli.
edit: I should clarify that the B-V or Victor style of fastback is generally meant to describe one with a small "plate" or reinforcing lug-extension on the backside of the seat-tube, which this "SP" frame does not have.
jmarkha1
12-22-08, 03:21 AM
thx Mkeller234 - yes IKEA units - now the kitchen is finished, I have scored some points with the wife and can start the bike project :-) - it would be good to find out the frame builder but only really have the SP91 stamping to go by...
Very unique and interesting lugs, I like it. Nice kitchen cabinets btw, ikea? I hope someone has an idea of the make.
Road Fan
12-22-08, 05:44 AM
I guessed already on this: Stan Pike, and it's all I've got for those initials. These are better and more complete shots of the frame than before...the seat cluster is sort of a variation of the "Victor" style that the Raleigh Pro popularised, but did not invent, there were many others who tried a hand at that style, and Brampton was given the credit for at least naming it. Looks like a very nice frame, with a nod (and wink) to Cinelli.
edit: I should clarify that the B-V or Victor style of fastback is generally meant to describe one with a small "plate" or reinforcing lug-extension on the backside of the seat-tube, which this "SP" frame does not have.
I can't comment on the history or provenance, besides that I agree with late '70s or '80s. But to attach the seatstays to the seat tube without a lug or seating plate - is that a good idea? Many seat tubes are really single butted, and a lot of frame builders will put teh butted area at the BB to help stiffen the BB and to stabilize the position of the front mech relative to the BB and hence the chainwheels - minimize ghost shifting and rub. That leaves the top of the seat tube a thinwall section 0.7 mm or so rather than the 0.9 mm or so butted section.
Tony Oliver, formerly a Welsh builder talks about this in his book.
Very nicely thinned lugs! the builder put a lot of care into this one. Whatever it is, a really nice frame!
Road Fan
Road Fan
12-22-08, 05:48 AM
There are some really serious Anglocyclophiles on Classic Rendezvous. Sign up over there, and see what you can find.
jmarkha1
12-22-08, 08:10 AM
good idea and thx for the comments _ I will sign up and see if they have any suggestions on frame builder.
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