Post your vintage British Bike
01-16-21, 04:04 PM
#1
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Post your vintage British Bike
My boss gave me this old rotten, faded bike that somebody had abandoned on his property. After after a lot of rubbing compound was applied, we discovered that it was a hand made Ron Cooper from the 1970s.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
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01-16-21, 05:13 PM
#2
feros ferio
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Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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I finally got one. I had an Armstrong and a Hercules, both converted 3-speeds, years ago, but now I have a real road bike. 
Above, as received. Just-my-size 55cm C-T 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse, full double-butted Reynolds 531. Current condition as the frame-up restoration begins:
(Slow) progress to date: threw away (rotted) tires and rim strips, (Schrader) tubes, cut out spokes, gave away (steel 27") rims, located 18mm aluminum 700C rims, straightened rear dropout, verified 126mm (yaa!) OLD
Threw out old Weinmann brake pads, bought KoolStop (accept no substitutes) Continentals
Next: figure out spoke length, build wheels, rebuild BB (keeping Sugino crankset), select chainring sizes (leaning toward 46-43) and freewheel cog count (6 or 7) and sizes (13 to 26, 28, maybe 30 at most). Looking at 32 to 35mm 700C touring tires.
I am inclined to keep the (OEM??) Campag. downtube shift levers and Weinmann 999 brakeset, and of course the Brooks Swallow saddle.
Above, as received. Just-my-size 55cm C-T 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse, full double-butted Reynolds 531. Current condition as the frame-up restoration begins:
(Slow) progress to date: threw away (rotted) tires and rim strips, (Schrader) tubes, cut out spokes, gave away (steel 27") rims, located 18mm aluminum 700C rims, straightened rear dropout, verified 126mm (yaa!) OLD
Threw out old Weinmann brake pads, bought KoolStop (accept no substitutes) Continentals
Next: figure out spoke length, build wheels, rebuild BB (keeping Sugino crankset), select chainring sizes (leaning toward 46-43) and freewheel cog count (6 or 7) and sizes (13 to 26, 28, maybe 30 at most). Looking at 32 to 35mm 700C touring tires.
I am inclined to keep the (OEM??) Campag. downtube shift levers and Weinmann 999 brakeset, and of course the Brooks Swallow saddle.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 01-16-21 at 05:23 PM.
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01-16-21, 05:27 PM
#3
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My 1968 Raleigh.
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01-16-21, 08:59 PM
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Still no identification on this bike other than it's British, and it's from the late 40s or 50s. I built up the frame so no parts are original. Any guesses?
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01-17-21, 11:06 PM
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Carlton tentatively identified as a Team BMB from 1967
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01-18-21, 07:41 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by 76SLT
Still no identification on this bike other than it's British, and it's from the late 40s or 50s. I built up the frame so no parts are original. Any guesses?
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 01-18-21 at 07:45 AM.
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01-18-21, 07:46 AM
#7
feros ferio
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Originally Posted by dedhed
My 1968 Raleigh.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-18-21, 09:44 AM
#8
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Originally Posted by John E
That sure looks like my Carlton -- same head lugs and seat cluster, Campag. braze-ons for downtube shift, same rear dropouts, same rear brake cable guides. The only differences I can see are my chromed rear triangle and fork and the tops of the seat stays. Does yours have a serial number on the left rear dropout? Need a head tube decal? I recently received two reproduction decals from a chap in the U.K.
Last edited by 76SLT; 02-14-21 at 10:23 AM.
01-18-21, 10:39 AM
#9
feros ferio
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Originally Posted by 76SLT
They do look similar. Mine did have the chrome rear triangle and fork but the chrome was beyond saving so I had them paint over it. It had just a drive side shifter so I had it changed to accept Campag on both sides. The fork is Accles & Pollock and is stamped with the same serial as the bb which is 95112 with a 7 under it. Here's a video one of our bf members made of the bike. His own collection is amazing.https://youtu.be/4OSjn4tx6jU
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-18-21, 11:28 AM
#10
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Oh what a door has been opened with this thread. 
Here are some of the Raleighs... I have several other bicycles from other makers also.
Here are some of the Raleighs... I have several other bicycles from other makers also.
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01-18-21, 12:00 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by surveyor6
My boss gave me this old rotten, faded bike that somebody had abandoned on his property. After after a lot of rubbing compound was applied, we discovered that it was a hand made Ron Cooper from the 1970s.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
I rode it in the MS150 a while back (after my "good" bike busted a wheel a few days before). I later made it a fixie before selling it.
That's a pisser - I lusted after a Ron Cooper for ages but never had the $. That one even looks close to my size
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01-18-21, 12:08 PM
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Here's the Super Tourer which has been my go-to winter bike. Absolutely in love with the thing- still need to get it repaired (it now has a seat tube dent from a bike shop mishap) once I start riding my road bikes again.
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01-18-21, 12:26 PM
#13
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British? You mean like this one? 1982ish Ron Cooper. As pictured, Campy 10sp triple drivetrain.
It currently has a 7sp triple friction drivetrain (mix 'n' match, Suntour VGx RD) and Suntour brakes. I rode it in the 2019 Eroica California Pedro Blancas route (pictured below with kabuki12). Fantastic bike.
It currently has a 7sp triple friction drivetrain (mix 'n' match, Suntour VGx RD) and Suntour brakes. I rode it in the 2019 Eroica California Pedro Blancas route (pictured below with kabuki12). Fantastic bike.
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01-18-21, 12:28 PM
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Mrs 400's 1987 Raleigh Granada Lady. The rare step-thru 531 framed bike. I understand that not many of these were imported from England.
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Fenders protect you from tire splatter. Mudguards protect you from tyre splatter.
01-18-21, 07:00 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by Steel Charlie
That's a pisser - I lusted after a Ron Cooper for ages but never had the $. That one even looks close to my size
-The steel road bike I wanted but never could afford was the Gilmore, made in Arizona. They had these little Thunderbird cutouts in the lugs. Not Brittish,though.
Last edited by surveyor6; 01-18-21 at 07:03 PM.
01-18-21, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by surveyor6
I couldn't afford A Cooper either. I am on more of a Fuji or KHS budget.
-The steel road bike I wanted but never could afford was the Gilmore, made in Arizona. They had these little Thunderbird cutouts in the lugs. Not Brittish,though.
-The steel road bike I wanted but never could afford was the Gilmore, made in Arizona. They had these little Thunderbird cutouts in the lugs. Not Brittish,though.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-18-21, 07:29 PM
#17
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Yes, Gilmour. When I would google his bike frames, It gave me Articles about David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.
He wrote "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
I came pretty close to buying a used Gilmour frame at the Tucson swap meet one year, but I needed to pay off some stuff first.
-I really looked forward to the Tucson bike swap every year, though I lived in the Phoenix area.
He wrote "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
I came pretty close to buying a used Gilmour frame at the Tucson swap meet one year, but I needed to pay off some stuff first.
-I really looked forward to the Tucson bike swap every year, though I lived in the Phoenix area.
01-18-21, 07:54 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by sheddle
Here's the Super Tourer which has been my go-to winter bike. Absolutely in love with the thing- still need to get it repaired (it now has a seat tube dent from a bike shop mishap) once I start riding my road bikes again.
01-19-21, 12:54 AM
#19
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My 73/4 Falcon San Remo. Have some NOS Universal brake hoods coming from Italy although I’m beginning to wonder if they are walking over....
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01-19-21, 02:04 AM
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72 Mercian . Nice enough but too small for me .Should move it on
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01-19-21, 02:07 PM
#22
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I collect bikes from Birmingham that begin with the letter D.
First one is Dunelt
First one is Dunelt
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01-19-21, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by USAZorro
Oh what a door has been opened with this thread.
Here are some of the Raleighs... I have several other bicycles from other makers also.
Here are some of the Raleighs... I have several other bicycles from other makers also.
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01-19-21, 04:36 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by surveyor6
I’m going out on a limb here by guessing you are single.
Several of those are my wife's bicycles.
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01-19-21, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by surveyor6
I’m going out on a limb here by guessing you are single.
Ms. merziac has 5 of her own, that she knows of......
