Dating a Dawes
 

I've just picked up a Dawes road bike for cheap. It's in a poor state and I can't identify it although guessing it's a Dawes Lightning from what I can glean from the Dawes catalogues. What I can say for definite is the serial number stamped on nearside rear dropout - G8494. Can anyone enlighten me on the model and date? I see someone's comment that Dawes didn't keep a record of serial numbers but I guess some of you experts have worked it. Look forward to responses

Good Afternoon. Can you tell us a bit more? Color? Do the components have brand and model names on them? There is a vintage trek site where you can check the date codes from the components but I’ve never used it.

If I recall correctly, the Lighting was a pretty good mid level touring in the middle 80's. Is it steel? That's version I remember, I think there is a newer aluminum version as well. As mentioned above the parts, with the frame materials alloy or steel, type of steel tubing, listed will help determine what you have.

"Lightning, a racing bike a teenager can afford". (Dawes catalog 1982)

I find Dawes bikes very difficult to ID and date. I have a couple, and even after years of searching I still do not know what it is exactly that I have. :(

Having said that, Dawes made great bikes. Part of their strategy was to equip excellent frames with cheap parts, so you could buy a good bike with a small budget, and have an upgrade path as funds became available.

I have a Dawes from 1983 with the serial number on the bottom bracket - ZD5905.
Don’t know what sequence of serial numbers Dawes used, but the change from bottom bracket to dropout for the number location might suggest a different era or maker.
We need to know more about your frame and it’s components. You can upload photos to an album…