Originally Posted by
Bandera
Being tall and not getting the correct period fit w/ barely a "fist" of seatpost showing at most as seen in the flic or a "french fit" on the small-ish standard sized Brit production frames of the era will most certainly affect both comfort and handling. Sorry to say but investing a lot of time, effort and $ into a frame-set that just does not fit is a waste of all whether it's a 50's Brit club machine or a modern state of the current art TT bike.
25" frames became much more common in the late 60's with a host of geometry, drive-train and component changes from Brit mfgs. Perhaps not your period of interest but doing a backwards downgrade on components on a tall late 60's 531 club bike would be rideable in both fit and operating experience. I won't tell the Period Correct Police if you don't.
-Bandera
Thankfully I did not invest anything in building up the Silver Arrow shown above. It's all original and I am sure I'll make my money back when it finds a buyer. I am actually waiting on another 23" Carlton from the late-1940s with some exciting components and a beautiful original 531 butted frame, though I plan to sell it as well. It should actually arrive today...
Funny you mention it, but I'm actually working on retrograding a 25.5" 1970 Raleigh Super Course to match the look of some late-'50s Raleighs per catalog specs (with "continental" handlebars that I found closely resemble the track bars I used in their stead). I'll be throwing Huret Jubilee derailleurs on it since I have them handy, and will probably keep the original B17 saddle though I'd love a swallow to get a more streamlined appearance. Here's where I'm at on that one - advertisement courtesy Peter Kohler's blog.
Cheers!
