Gary Fountain

That's a big frame, 62cm? There is plenty of room between the rear wheel and the seat tube. It looks like a '70's road frame.

I have had steerer tube problems in the past also. I usually ride smaller frames - 59cm is my favourite size but the Hillman is 61.5 cm. I make myself fit.

C_LOGAN

Yes, most likely a 70's frame - had the old style cable routers above the bottom bracket, etc. I can't remember the exact measurements of it, but it was big. I think the steerer tube was around 220mm without the cups. I would like a slightly bigger frame - but I have settled for longer seatposts and slightly upturned handle bars.

Gary Fountain

It is hard to find big frames isn't it? I must admit that I am buying bigger frames now because (2 reasons) my son is 6 foot 4 and I think bigger frames are probably worth more due to their rarity. My son finds a 62cm frame still too small. I haven'y been able to source a bigger frame so we've gone the longer seat pin route as well.

Gary Fountain

Here's another one. Now I'm showing off - A Malvern Star - 5 Star Track Bike - a real Aussie collectable. This bike won the 1960 Austral Wheelrace. I got the frame in pretty bad cosmetic condition so I painted it in a similar way to the Malvern Star team bikes of the era. Campy 151pcd crankset, seatpost and hubs. Narrow Brooks B17, Cinelli track bars and badged stem.

C_LOGAN

Another excellent bike - A five star too - I am sure this one would be ultra rare, a great find I would say -The only Malvern Stars that I have the misfortune of running into are the 1990s K-Mart style varieties (such as the red and white one I posted a photo of earlier). It is really nice to see some excellent examples such as this and seanees one.

And don't worry about showing off - If you have any more aussie bikes it would be great to see them.

C_LOGAN

They definately are a lot more uncommon than the smaller size frames. It took me a long time to find a decent bike which was comfortable enough to ride. And a large mountain bike was even harder to find. All I could find were super tiny frames or lanky looking early mountain bikes which looked like road bikes with 26'' wheels. (Finally settled on an XL Mongoose - don't ask measurements, just a big chunky bike) as well as my Paconi and a Suntourer to bang around on.

It is not easy being tall sometimes.

Gary Fountain

C Logan, I never commented on your Paconi - sorry. I am quite envious of your Paconi as I have never owned one. I have admired them over the years and I know of Paconi's reputation as a fine frame builder. Looking at your frame, it is easy to see the geometry that would produce a comfortable and stable ride and, with Campagnolo ends, I would guess that the tubing is probably high end Reynolds or Columbus. I love the paint job; the colour is an attractive cobalt blue shade going by the photo. Paconi had a really talented frame painter - I've admired his great work in the past (don't know his name).

Australia has had some would class frame builders (like every other country) and its great to see their work being collected by enthusiasts so it won't be forgotten. I have a small collection and have met some interesting and much better informed enthusiasts than myself. I really believe there is a book in there somewhere on Australian bikes.

One more - another Hillman from 1987 - built by Gordon Hill in Tange Champion (an SLX alternative). This bike is practically un-ridden. It has a full Campagnolo Triomphe Gruppo (even has the Triomphe decal) and also a first generation Avocet computer.

C_LOGAN

Thanks for that. I am quite happy with it. I built the bike for around $100. I bought the bike from eBay at the 'buy it now' price of $15.00. It was quite dusty - some surface rust on the forks, etc - but I was very happy with it after I had cleaned it up as the frame was almost immaculate.

They are really nice frames - light and strong. The paint looks great and hardly any chips - the only problem is that it is very fragile for some reason. I am not sure if it has been resprayed at some point but everytime I bang the bike it chips. Was thinking of getting it powder coated. Although, Bicycle Recycle in Moorabbin do strip + paint for $100, but I will have to do some more investigation on this. I haven't seen any of their work yet - but if anyone knows any good powder coaters or painters I might be interested some time in the future if the paint gets any worse.

Definately - A lot of great bikes around such as your Hillmans, Paconis, Llewellyns (really nice lug work) etc, etc. I have only been back into cycling for around a year, so I have not amassed a large collection as yet - but I am learning a lot about Aussie bikes, as well as the mechanical side of things.

Once again, another fine example! I am on the lookout for another Hillman now - hopefully with less of a fork length requirement. Really nice bikes, but not easy to find.

ozneddy

i have a Macini which i was told was made in Sydney by an italian frame builder called Macini who now lives in Oz but missed doing his passion ! not many made so i believe ,made from Columbus tubing, will post a pic as soon as i can !

Gary Fountain

Hillmans often crop-up on ebay and I think they are a good buy. Thay have been in the business for a very long time. They also sponsored some really great riders.

I have not heard of Macini so I would be very interested in seeing the bike and reading your comments about the bike. Ozneddy, the Mitchell is very interesting and I love the colour. The orange Ricardo is a great looking frame. It looks to be an early 70's frame - very nice bike

C_LOGAN

A really nice website - lots of Australian bike pictures and information. https://www.collectablecycles.com/ind...ikeGallery.htm

Another interesting website here: https://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/...ys%20table.htm

On the same website: https://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/...by%20Place.htm

On the above two pages from the Canberra Bike Museum - they both list Australian brands and companies, but each have information that the other may not have. The website as a whole is a little inconsistent and difficult to navigate, but they have some handy information if you have the time and patience to browse it.

C_LOGAN

Sounds like an interesting bike - I did a search on Macini and found this link : https://www.riverlandcyclingclub.com/.../pornindex.htm

Two Macinis listed:

"Full Cro-Mo tubeset and forks built by Macini. I have been told he is an Australian builder but do not know any more about the builder than that. One major accident on this bike, back when I lived in Adelaide."

"According to Bob, the Macini name comes from a man that used to make bikes at Super Elliots in Adelaide. This bike has stood the test of time and will be around for a few years yet! "

I also found that this site which has an '86 Macini frame on display, and another for sale.

"Hand built Macini road racing frame, made circa 1986 by Ron Whitehorn, master frame builder and champion South Australian racing cyclist. "

link: https://www.collectablecycles.com/ind...Road_Frame.htm

Looking forward to seeing your bike anyway and if anyone can enlighten with more details on the brand.

C_LOGAN

I have seen a few Hillman Single speeds on eBay - all of which reached quite good prices. One was immaculate - a creamy colour - everything on the bike was polished nicely - even the tyres. It looked great.

tjchad

Hey guys, new here but have a new-to-me late 60's path frame- a Hallmark from Keep Bros. and Wood Pty. in Melbourne. I just got it in San Diego, CA two weeks ago. Anybody have any info on the frames/bikes?







EDIT: Fixed links...

Chad

moki

Cool paint! Vintage path racers are the new orange.

East Hill

That is some nice pinstriping! Would it be possible to get a close-up on the pinstriping on the fork?

Thank you for posting .

East Hill

Gary Fountain

Something a little different - A Kenevans lo pro time trial bike from the late 80's. I painted the frame as it was in undercoat when I found it. 700 rear / 650 front wheels and 1st gen. Shimano 600 gears. Weinnman Delta brakes.

ozneddy

a couple of XXXX,s and it will look like any other aussie bike ! lol

C_LOGAN

Pics are no longer working

C_LOGAN

Interesting bike! I bet you get a lot of looks when riding it.

Gary Fountain

It's not that nice to ride to be perfectly honest. The position is fine but the bike just wants to go straight; it fights the natural wobble you need to make riding a pleasure. It's not so bad that you would avoid riding it but it is noticable.

Gary Fountain

This is an aussie built Mc Bain frame. Early Columbus SLX - look at the top of the front fork crown. I painted this one and the Columbus decal is not correct - its what I had laying around. I based the paint jod on a Bob Jackson frame I saw in a magazine. The gruppo is Nuovo Record except the seat post because I could paint the flutes and it has the 'porta cantena' chain derailling system. My interest in restoring this frame was because it had the two screw holes for the '78 porta cantena chain hanger in the right rear dropout and it had the early model SLX fork crown.

When I found the frame - after a 2 year search - It didn't have an identity. It didn't seem to be a frame with a particular bike companies 'fingerprint' so I put my own name on it. As it turned out, it was built in Tasmania by a builder that, I understand, made frames for other companies so i'm ok with my name on it - but it is a little weird though.

tjchad

Fixed...

lotek 

Can I post a pic of my Pogliaghi? I bought it from Eddie Salas.

Gary Fountain

Lotek - Yes please.

tichad - your frame looks very nice. The pinstriping is in great condition. I had a dragster that was Hallmark branded. The dragster was probably a late 60's bike which would make it a similar vintage to your great frame. Its going to look spectacular when you complete it.