A friend had this frame given to them,the fork is supposed to be original. Forgot to measure BB as i am new to this C And V. It is my size.I have ideas as to what it is but i am sure you folks could nail it down,thanks

a couple of more

Nice looking frame. Early 50's is my guess.

Looks very much like a Carlton to me. From what I've read Carltons could be ordered pretty much how you wanted them, so Nervex lugs and a Davis fork crown would not be too strange.

I don't think the fork is OEM because the blade end treatment is not the same as the stays. The stays have domed ends where they transition to the dropouts, while the fork ends are bevelled. Frame characteristic look like a higher end product from a mass manufacturer. The Portacatena dropouts date it circa 1978-1983. It's probably towards the earlier end of the range given the exposed nut brake bridge and apparent lack of braze-ons. It does look British to me, with the wrap-over stays and top tube, cable stops.

That powder coat is quite generously applied. Might make it difficult to get a serial number from it - but getting it would help the identification. Also seeing if frame serial and one stamped on the steerer don't match (or if there is none on the steerer) could confirm T-Mar's suspicion about the originality of the fork.

Do the headbadge holes offer any clues?

Agree the fork is probably a replacement but not only the transition treatments (domed, flattened vs beveled) but also strong hints of a rifled steerer so most likely a Columbus fork and betting this Nervex-lugged frame is Reynolds 531. Also the long campy DOs don't have portacatena holes (2) but a single return spring hole for the Sport or Gran Sport RD, so it's not a late '70s/early '80s frame, except maybe the FORK is about that era.
If OP will measure the headbadge hole spacing there might be a clue in that, too.

The head tube lugs are the very early type before they changed to the fishtail type in the 50s. I have a frame with the identical lugs, and that is the info I've been told while researching the maker of my frame.




Nervex pro

Holdsworth?

I will have to go visit and get some measurements,hell, i will probably just go buy it from him. I have never built a bike up from a frame but it looks like a good candidate.Thanks for the input so far.

If the powdercoat is a solid color (no metal flake or pearl), you can wet sand it so it doesn't look so much like it was dipped in frosting.

This is correct. I erred in my earlier post, though for the life of me, I don't know how I messed that one up.

I bought the mystery frame because,well you folks know why,there is still room in the garage.BB is 68mm , rear spacing is 120, distance between head badge holes is 5omm. There is a serial number on bb i think it is 23261 T. I may never know for sure who made this bike but i should learn a thing or two building it up. Thanks for all your replies.

Some new info at bottom of last pic

Your reputation is QUITE unblemished, T-Mar!
What do you make of that serial number: 23261 T ?

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Keep in mind the possibility that it may have been applied by a licensing agency.

Not asserting such is the case, just a possibility.

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Will be amazed if it turns out thar be room for wheels to fit in...

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