Classic & Vintage - Bob Jackson frameset history and decals?

Anybody in the house ever have dealings with Bob Jackson (UK) regarding the manufacturing history of their frameset, or get replacement decals ("transfers" in UK-speak)?

I wrote them with a serial number and a couple photos, asking what they could tell me. They responded saying that they charge for " a laminated copy of the original job card." What's that going to tell me? I wonder. If only that it's a BJ, it's blue metallic, and it has serial such-and-such, I know that already. I'd like to know what model it was, if it was sold complete or as a frameset, etc.

They also said that they have some older-style decals, but logotype only in black with gold outline, not the white the frame in question has. Anyone with a BJ of 70s vintage know whether these are water-slide or vinyl adhesive (I'm not yet in possession)? If anyone has purchased decals separately, do they come with the head and seat tube "crest" too?

Thanks very much,

They must be having a lot of requests with the resurgence of interest in vintage bikes and such. I contacted them a few years ago and they gave me the build date in an e-mail, and I already new the model.

Mine was a 1956 with nicely filed Nervex lugs and Ivory paint with red lug lining and red/black decals but unfortunately WAY too small and after staring at it for 20 years I passed it along last year.

vjp

My merlin (built by BJ) is due back on tuesday, apparently the workcard tells you the year it was built and by whom etc. I guess you can't ecpect them to remember any more than they have in their records for an old bike. The guy I spoke to today told me that for £10 they send a guy up into the storage dept. to look through all the records for you and send you a copy of the results.

I got a set of black/gold decals in about 1980. I'm glad you reminded me the originals were a white frame, not gold. I'd forgiotten that. I do remember being a bit disappointed these had the gold frame, as the white would have contrasted better against my medium dark red bike.

It was a complete set, including two "coat of arms". I believe they are water transfer. Mine were not vinyl with adhesive.

Thanks, Mike. Actually, the frame I'm talking about has logos in white letter with black outline. They must have had at least those three variants back then, because those on stronglight's mid-70s BJ are black with gold outline, too.

When I got one about 3 years back, I sent an e-mail, and I got a courteous and rapid, free response telling me it was a 1990 serial number. I think the guy took entirely too much pleasure in writing the closing to the e-mail - "enjoy your BJ".

I was able to discern the model myself, although it might be harder to tell the model on something from the 70's.

Thanks, Mike. Actually, the frame I'm talking about has logos in white letter with black outline. They must have had at least those three variants back then, because those on stronglight's mid-70s BJ are black with gold outline, too.

Now you have me thinking. Now I'm not sure I remember at all what color the decals were. Perhaps they were white with black outline. I do recall the black with gold were very subdued relative to the originals and I was a bit disappointed. I wonder if I have any old photos of the bike. That might be a cool research project all by itself - very nostalgic.