So took the bike out for a spin - beautiful sunny day today though still below freezing. Roads were mostly clear with ice patches. Before I went I had finished adjusting fender line, adjusted the seat height etc.

What what was it like? I loved it! Not what I expected....I thought since it was a single speed utility bike it would be closer in ride to the 49 Humber, but the frame clearly has racing blood in it. The geometry gives it away a bit, since the fork angle is (for 1952) quite steep. the Paselas at 95psi didn't hurt (though they transmit a lot of road feel), and the alloy rims made the bike all that much more sprightly. The top tube is quite short feeling, but was fine in the upright riding position.

Very little frame flex; no handed riding was a breeze; accellerating up hills even with only one gear was great. And the bike was silent - those 64 year old FB hubs were smooth as silk.

Braking was just so-so - the calipers flex a huge amount, especially the front since there is nothing really to hold them back...the rears bump into the seat stays.

I can really say my only disappointment so far is the paint job I did - it looks great mind you, but the enamel I used is very soft and chips if you look at it sideways. Depending on what the future holds for this bike, when I do go to get all the old bits rechromed I may just spring for a professional repaint in the same colour.

I weighed the bike and as pictured above (with brake pads!) it came in at 26 lbs on the bathroom scale....

Can't wait for spring for some longer rides. I will finish the paint on the forks and chaincase, mount everything back up and see how it feels in the more open countryside. I can certainly imagine Ernesto (the original owner, father of the friend I got the bike from) riding to meet up with his future wife in the next village....the bike certainly didn't hold him back!