Classic & Vintage - Ephgrave track bike from 1961

1961 Ephgrave fillet-brazed track frame with contemporaneous components. It is one of about 20 frames that were brought into the US in one lot around 1961. It was raced in the 1960s in New York.
I got the nearly bare frame and built it up with components from another track bike of the same era. The seat post is modern.

It still needs some finishing touches...

Man...this is competition for that Frejus that CV-6 posted. Nice fork crown! And the swoop of the bars, the seat caps, all of it.

:thumb:

Man...this is competition for that Frejus that CV-6 posted.
Yeah, I don't want him getting ahead of himself...
Seriously, that Frejus is lovely!

aixaix - That is a seriously beautiful bike already - what finishing touches are you alluding to?

He's got to drill it for brakes, of course ! ;)

Thanks, Auchen
I haven't cleaned the front wheel yet; the tires are kind of ugly; I think a Brooks would go better than the Cinelli saddle; a chrome seat post might be in its future: stuff like that. No repaint for sure, & the chrome is awfully good.

He's got to drill it for brakes, of course !
Evil, Rootboy! You are EVIL!

Evil, Rootboy! You are EVIL!

Often, yes :>

That's another very cool bike Aixaix.

Can you show us a close up of the head decal when you get the chance?

please :innocent:

Very nice!!!! what size?

Wow. The brazing around the seat cluster is astounding.

Wow. The brazing around the seat cluster is astounding.

ya, I bet a lot of people notice that.. Seat stays laid over a fillet braze. and that pinch flange thingy..

hawt.

Today's builders make some amazing bikes but this is from another planet.

The perfect radius of those fillets. The obvious handwork and care that went into finishing those joints. Whew. You said it Frank.

Here is a link to a set that has a few more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28164070@N04/sets/72157629134504643/

The head tube decal has a piece missing, unfortunately. I'll try get a shot of it up tomorrow.

Beautiful fork crown too. So cool.

VERY cool bike, Michael.

Word to the wise - I know a few guys with extensive C&V collections, and their Ephgrave's are the favorite of the lot. First class craftsmanship, and a wonderful ride.

Beautiful fork crown too. So cool.
Yeah. The crown knocks me out. It is why I bought the bike. Of all the details, it was the most compelling.

A few more shots of the decals & seat cluster:
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The perfect radius of those fillets. The obvious handwork and care that went into finishing those joints. Whew. You said it Frank.

I'll bet those fillets were laid down so smoothly that little-to- no finishing was needed.

You have excellent taste and that is BEAUTIFUL! I saw my first Ephgrave at Via and it was truly exceptional...Joel said it was probably the nicest built frame he'd come across.

Thank you, Aaron. You flatter me. By the way, your taste isn't too shabby either!

I took it out for a short spin yesterday. Short, because it has no brakes and I'm not as crazy as I once was. It feels a lot like my Frejus track: very comfortable, lively, quick and not at all harsh. I love the whirr from the 1" chain.
There's a rail trail near me, where brakes are less important than around town. I think I'll take it there & give it some exercise. Trouble is, if I like it too much I'll need to figure out a way to slow it down. Another fork, maybe. NO WAY is that Haden crown getting drilled.

now put on some riser bars and learn to skid!

awesome frame anyway, fantastic fillets.

Super cool.

I'll bet those fillets were laid down so smoothly that little-to- no finishing was needed.

Yeah, maybe so. Some real talent showing there. What a frame.