Rory O達rien Help!
04-08-20 | 01:59 AM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2020
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Rory O達rien Help!
Hi all I have this vintage Rory O達rien frame and was wondering if I could get a bit of help and info about it please. Namely the year and model, as well weather or not I should restore it or keep the original patina. Also how and where to find spares for it.
04-08-20 | 06:04 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,212
Likes: 3,122
Welcome to the forums. I know very little about Rory O'Brien frames. However, I do know that he was manager for one of Claude Butler's shops prior to opening his own shop, circa 1947. All his frames were contract manufactured. Your bicycle has a decal indicating two locations. O'Brien reportedly opened up his 2nd shop in 1956, then downsized back to a single shop circa 1974, so your frame should be 1956-1974. While the logo style has me leaning more towards the latter end of that period, the headset and lack of a derailleur hanger on the rear dropouts has me leaning towards the earlier end. Regarding the model, I suspect it is a Contessa, based on the modified Nervex Professional lugset.
While this is not O'Brien's top model, the frame is still manufactured to a high level of workmanship. The paint does not look too bad, however the stays exhibit some very heavy corrosion. For that reason, I would probably be leaning towards restoration. There is nothing so odd about these older English framesets that makes it difficult to find compatible parts, unless you want to restore it with period correct components., in which case the journey can be more time consuming and expensive, and will require purchasing from specialty sites or searching auctions sites, such as Ebay.
Links to some O'Brien information:
Rory O'Brien - cycle builders
rory-o'brien-2-builders
Link to OP's photo album:
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/514914
While this is not O'Brien's top model, the frame is still manufactured to a high level of workmanship. The paint does not look too bad, however the stays exhibit some very heavy corrosion. For that reason, I would probably be leaning towards restoration. There is nothing so odd about these older English framesets that makes it difficult to find compatible parts, unless you want to restore it with period correct components., in which case the journey can be more time consuming and expensive, and will require purchasing from specialty sites or searching auctions sites, such as Ebay.
Links to some O'Brien information:
Rory O'Brien - cycle builders
rory-o'brien-2-builders
Link to OP's photo album:
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/514914
04-08-20 | 03:55 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 813
Likes: 170
From: Adelaide, Australia
In one of the links at Classic Lightweights, you will see the email address of David Hull, the V-CC Marque Enthusiast. I would recommend that you contact David.
I see you have posted on CycleChat and getting come information.
More threads are worth reading through on CycleChat
If it is a linear frame numbering system it MAY have been built close to this one with a frame number of 6281
RetroBike has a number of threads including one likely to be from David Hull where he asks for frame numbers.
Also LFGSS has a number of threads on Rory O'Brien that also should be read.
And any of your mate's family able to recall any history of the bike?
I make up a spreadsheet with all the components for the bikes listed, and preferred components with links. It depends where you are as to the best source of components, so get the build year as soon as you can.
This should keep you occupied for a while, and able to comply with the social isolation in a productive manner.
Come back and keep this thread updated.
A search on the FB group Vintage BicycleUK has a few posts, and it is a possible source if you need further information.
Once you determine the date of the frame, then there are a number of resources I use to consider period parts. Firstly look at Classic Lightweights Readers bikes for those with the same build date. Use Hugo's Component Database to filter and sort.
Then you could go Three Speed Hub and look up the Holdsworth Aids catalogues to see what was being sold in the that period. Also look for other marque catalogues of the time.
Speedbicycles is also well worth looking at as you can see some wonderful photos of period bikes, well lit and well-focused. Again focus on your frame year.
If you join the V-CC you can get access to their extraordinary online library to see what components were fitted to bikes of the same period.
Get the frame assessed to see if the frame has been structurally weakened by the rust, and if there is any rust damage inside the tubes. Then we can suggest where you can get the components.
I see you have posted on CycleChat and getting come information.
More threads are worth reading through on CycleChat
If it is a linear frame numbering system it MAY have been built close to this one with a frame number of 6281
RetroBike has a number of threads including one likely to be from David Hull where he asks for frame numbers.
Also LFGSS has a number of threads on Rory O'Brien that also should be read.
And any of your mate's family able to recall any history of the bike?
I make up a spreadsheet with all the components for the bikes listed, and preferred components with links. It depends where you are as to the best source of components, so get the build year as soon as you can.
This should keep you occupied for a while, and able to comply with the social isolation in a productive manner.
Come back and keep this thread updated.
A search on the FB group Vintage BicycleUK has a few posts, and it is a possible source if you need further information.
Once you determine the date of the frame, then there are a number of resources I use to consider period parts. Firstly look at Classic Lightweights Readers bikes for those with the same build date. Use Hugo's Component Database to filter and sort.
Then you could go Three Speed Hub and look up the Holdsworth Aids catalogues to see what was being sold in the that period. Also look for other marque catalogues of the time.
Speedbicycles is also well worth looking at as you can see some wonderful photos of period bikes, well lit and well-focused. Again focus on your frame year.
If you join the V-CC you can get access to their extraordinary online library to see what components were fitted to bikes of the same period.
Get the frame assessed to see if the frame has been structurally weakened by the rust, and if there is any rust damage inside the tubes. Then we can suggest where you can get the components.
