TA Cyclotourist-Lambert branded Crankset
 

I have a couple of Lambert branded TA Cyclotourist triples in good condition. I see what the TA labeled cranksets go for on EBAY, was wondering if the Lambert label would mean less, equal or more value. Seems the bikes (Reg Harris X 2) might be worth more in pieces than whole considering the fork issue.

The parts on the Lamberts we brought into the bike shop I worked in---the hubs, cranks, brake calipers, brake levers, maybe other stuff I can't remember---were produced by Lambert in house. The bolt pattern for the chainrings was based on the Stronglight 49 crank, if I remember the number correctly, but the crank wasn't manufactured by T.A.

It's easy to tell a Lambert crank arm from a T.A. crank arm---the Lambert design used a nontapered bottom bracket spindle that depended on a big washer between the crank and spindle to keep the crank's spindle hole from deforming. It didn't work very well, which is one reason you see Lambert cranksets available for sale from time to time.

My last dealings with Lambert bikes were in 1976 or so. It's possible that T.A. supplied cranksets after that time. But if the cranksets you're talking about have nontapered surfaces in the spindle interface hole, they aren't T.A.

These cranks look more like the TA than the "Lambert " to me, and the BB spindle looks tapered to me, at least without actually pulling the crank. I'll post pictures., later tonight , thks!

Pictures
 

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...psfe579520.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6e0149c8.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse8447353.jpg

Looks tapered---you're right. And no tell-tale big black washer. If you pull the crank and find that the spindle is tapered, it's fair to assume that T.A. did manufacture the crank for Lambert.

I hope someone chimes in with some definitive historical information on Lambert, preferably someone with some direct factory experience. Even at the time, they seemed anomalous---British fillet-brazed lugless straight-gauge 4130 frames, Lambert-branded parts throughout, sealed-bearing hubs and bottom brackets, etc.

You can get replacement TA or Lambert stickers here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261384673191