Classic & Vintage - Hillman Australian Bicycle

Okay, I found this Hillman bike from Australia at a local thrift store in Michigan!! I was really drawn to the chrome and hardware, and also because it was as heavy as a feather! It has a Suntour Honor rear derailer and a Suntour front derailer. it has Dia-compe brakes, surgino maxy crank, and an Italia Tourima sadle.

I wonder if you guys could tell more about this bike, I know it is handmade because the Hillman website says so, and a older one that had fenders and was 26" sold on ebay awhile ago for $500

Pictures would help! I do know they made some very nice bikes though.

I cant believe I forgot pics in the first post,:) owell here they are

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg234/sounwave13c/DSCF1625.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg234/sounwave13c/DSCF1627.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg234/sounwave13c/DSCF1626.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg234/sounwave13c/DSCF1634.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg234/sounwave13c/DSCF1632.jpg

what do you think?

We have a fellow BF member in here called Gary Fountain who like myself is an Aussie,if I remember correctly he has at least one "Hillman" in his stable and is very knowledgable, hopefully he will read this post (I,m sure he will) and may be able to enlighten you,if not,I,m sure Gary would be delighted to recieve a PM from you !----good luck !

sweet! hope he checks!

How does it ride? Does it have a sticker indicating what sort of steel the frame is made of?

How does it ride? Does it have a sticker indicating what sort of steel the frame is made of?

It rides really well, the control is amazing and you feel as if you peddling a cloud:D I can lift the entire bike with my finger, no joke! it looks as if there was a sticker but it it not there anymore:mad:
I don't think it is aluminum but i did not do a magnet test

Bump -- where are you Gary ?

Someone offers you a $100 take it. Unless it has collectability everythig on that bike is low end from the spunge on the bars to the rear derailer.

Hi Dragster III, Hi Ozneddy,

Nice old Hillman. The Hillman Co has been around for many years. It was started by Henry Hill in the 40's (I think) and is still owned by the Hill family in Melbourne Australia. Over the years Hillmans have won many world championships and are a still available today. Gordon Hill will build you a frame.

I have 3 Hillman's at the moment - 2 track and one road. I love them. I think they are a pretty desirable frames as they are always well built and the Hill family have been at the heart of bike racing in Australia for many years. They are experienced in building with any tubing - including Reynolds 753. I particularly like their track frames.

If you contacted their bike shop and gave them the frame number, they could probably tell you when the frame was built and for whom it was built for.

Henry Hill died a few years back but he was a most interesting and extremely knowledgeable person. He raced track into his 80's. For guys like us he was true gold - he had been there and seen that.

Realistically, your bike has a collection of average components and the frame is nothing special but it's the name on the frame that is important and the fact that that name is backed up by many years of bike building experience.

Hope you enjoy your bike,

Gary.

Hi Dragster III, Hi Ozneddy,

Nice old Hillman. The Hillman Co has been around for many years. It was started by Henry Hill in the 40's (I think) and is still owned by the Hill family in Melbourne Australia. Over the years Hillmans have won many world championships and are a still available today. Gordon Hill will build you a frame.

I have 3 Hillman's at the moment - 2 track and one road. I love them. I think they are a pretty desirable frames as they are always well built and the Hill family have been at the heart of bike racing in Australia for many years. They are experienced in building with any tubing - including Reynolds 753. I particularly like their track frames.

If you contacted their bike shop and gave them the frame number, they could probably tell you when the frame was built and for whom it was built for.

Henry Hill died a few years back but he was a most interesting and extremely knowledgeable person. He raced track into his 80's. For guys like us he was true gold - he had been there and seen that.

Realistically, your bike has a collection of average components and the frame is nothing special but it's the name on the frame that is important and the fact that that name is backed up by many years of bike building experience.

Hope you enjoy your bike,

Gary.

thanks! I certainly will:) I will also contact Hillman about the bike.

so a question: would it be okay if I upgraded the components?

Short answer -----Yes :thumb:

Ozneddy is always right.