Classic & Vintage - Can you identify this track bike? Cool lugs

I'm about to pull the trigger on this bike but I cant figure out what it is? The lugs look to be quality and the twin plate fork crown is cool even though somebody drilled it a tad bit. What do you think? I think it's quality and not drain pipe and the craftmanship is good too, just a bad paint job. The headtube has what looks like a "winged wheel" actually brazed on front and center. Weird.... but thats why I want it. Any ideas?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11647810@N02/sets/72157625871816804/

Looks ballin' How much is it going to run you? I'd buy it for character alone.

No idea what it could be, but it doesn't look like junk and it's certainly interesting.

It's a Keeper.

Looks pretty cool to me! British or Australian I'd guess.

I agree it looks to quality. I think the hole for the Zerk fitting is a bit odd for a track bike. but I am with Realestivn& I would buy it for the looks.


are all those bikes yours? I am almost jealous you have a Hetchins and Bianchi Proto? plus tons of other nice looking bikes.

keeper? are u sure for that?

I think he just means it's worth getting and keeping, not identifying the manufacturer.

Really nice looking bike, but I've never seen a true track bike drilled for brakes or with QR wheels, but then again who the **** am I.

Really nice looking bike, but I've never seen a true track bike drilled for brakes or with QR wheels, but then again who the **** am I.

From the grease fitting I'd suspect its from at least the 50s. Back in those days, and especially outside the US, guys usually only had one bike and used it for everything.

Really nice looking bike, but I've never seen a true track bike drilled for brakes or with QR wheels, but then again who the **** am I.

cause it might actually be a "road-path", bike, the style intended to be ridden on the road (with brakes) to the "path" which is the British term for a track (not a trail)...then home again after the race.
Looks British to me, too, but no idea who the "winged O" might be...it looks a bit like the Olympic Club symbol, and old athletic club in SF...but they didn't do cycling.
Also, the drilled/tapped hole in the BB shell might not be for a grease (Zerk) fitting, but for an oil cup.

you have way too many nice bikes.

Nice collection! I enjoyed the BMX bikes as well. When did you race?

Eddie Albert can probably identify it. Go to http://www.thevintagebikelife.com/ & ask him.

id say buy it then see if you can figure out what it is. way cool lugs my guess australian

Looks French and judging by the hole on the BB, it used to have an oiler cap, so probably the newest it could be would be mid-60s, but could well be older.

I'd buy it just for the lugs!

Where's asshauler at? Posts up the bike then leaves us hangin...

cause it might actually be a "road-path", bike, the style intended to be ridden on the road (with brakes) to the "path" which is the British term for a track (not a trail)...then home again after the race.Looks British to me, too, but no idea who the "winged O" might be...it looks a bit like the Olympic Club symbol, and old athletic club in SF...but they didn't do cycling.
Also, the drilled/tapped hole in the BB shell might not be for a grease (Zerk) fitting, but for an oil cup.

Ahhhhhh, but what about the QR wheels? maybe not orig?

Ahhhhhh, but what about the QR wheels? maybe not orig?

correct: that frame is from the '50s, maybe the '60s; the wheels, cranks, HS are not.

Thanks everyone for the help and input. I went back and bought it for $100 also got a Genius tubing Concorde as well for another $100. Thanks for all the replies and kind words about my other bikes. I only bought the frame, fork, hs and b.b. I have much better (more clear) pictures of it up now and the Concorde as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11647810@N02/sets/72157625878578250/

Thanks everyone for the help and input. I went back and bought it for $100 also got a Genius tubing Concorde as well for another $100. Thanks for all the replies and kind words about my other bikes. I only bought the frame, fork, hs and b.b. I have much better (more clear) pictures of it up now and the Concorde as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11647810@N02/sets/72157625878578250/

I've said it once, and I'll say it again... Ballin'!

Want to let go of the Concorde? :D

Start by measuring the seat tube to get an idea of what kind of tubing was used and take shots of the bike from the right and left side so we can see the whole thing.

The oil port on the bb points to the frame being pre 1960 and probably pre 1950... the rear facing dropouts could also have been used for a coaster hub and not a fixed drive.

I don't know what it is, but I agree with the general assessment that it dates to the 50's. For what it's worth, the head tube design is a wheel with wings, which is a fairly common motif in English head badges and, no doubt, those from other countries as well. Holdsworth, for example, used a winged wheel design before they went to the more familiar horse with crossed sabers.

when I see fancy lugs like that I always go to the Carlton Enthusiast's site to check, but of course this is not a Carlton...however, some details bear a similarity to certain Carlton lugs, specifically the "Massed Start" model. Could be a very early Holdsworth or custom work by one of those builders employed by Holdsworth. The stay caps are sort of unique as the don't wrap fully or semi and have no fluting...no clue for me however. Any serial number or stamping anywhere? Is the rear spacing 120 or smaller (like 110)?
You sure did good to get both this and a fine looking Concorde for $200!

Really a great buy for 100.