Canadian builders in the 70's
 

Does anyone remember the names of some of the obscure custom bicycle builders in the 70's from Canada? I was talking to a man in the LBS after I heard him ask the counter guy if he knew of anyone looking for some old bike frames and other stuff he had from the 60's and 70's Naturally I couldn't help myself so I piped up and said " whaddaya got" he proceeded to tell me about a bike he was originally going to build up for his wife but never did since she had a bike she would 't part with so this frame has been in his possesion for years and he wants to get rid of some of the stuff. I can't for the life of me remember the name of that frame but if I hear it I will remember so please help me remember the name of mmy next project.

Cramerotti?
Miele?
Marinoni?
Cambio Rino?
Gardin?
Brad Proctor?
Cyclops?
Mariposa?

Although I don't think any of these are obscure....

talbot?
lovell?
sekine (they did make some high end bikes, along with boatloads of hi-ten beasts)?

Norman Hill
CBS
Ken Legge
Derek Bailey

Bertrand
Le Croco
Cunningham
CCM (Dept. Store brand but they did have a Pro builder for high end race bikes, as a matter of fact Schwinn developed the Wastyn Paramounts to compete with them as they were dominating the 6 Day races)

Why don't you just contact the seller? Surely if it is your next project bicycle, you have his contact info? I don't want to have to list 100+ Canadian brands.

I will but I was just stuck on what the name was and so far no one has come up with it. I thought you folks could jog my memory a bit and then I could find out more about the builder thats all. Plus if you don't want to list them don't its your choice

Dude - if you can't help yourself............

Probably not 70s but I'd add
Limongi
Desmarais
Ryffranck
Sikar...

Mods can we delete this thread? I wasn't aware I would hit a few open nerves with what I thought was a legitimate question. The name of the builder has escaped me and I though someone more knowledgeable than me might be able to help. As I said I will call the guy with the frame but as of yet I haven't reached him. I wanted to do some research on the frame and builder if I could and thought this would be the forum to do it on. I'll not press this subject any further and if I insulted anyone with what they thought was a stupid or dumb topic I humbly apologize. I'll think again before I post lest anyone be put off.

It was my turn to be bashed last week, some members thought I should seek mental help and some thought my spelling was just not exceptable :rolleyes: guess its your turn now :( Welcome to the forum :D I hope you find the info your looking for =)

One negative(ish) comment and you want the thread closed? How long have you been on the internet? People can say whatever they like, don't take it personally.

T-Mar is one of the most, if not the most, knowledgable people on this entire forum. If he says he knows 100+ builders then I believe him. Come back with the name and I am sure we can help you with a lot of information on whomever built this bike.

Thanks for your comment

Yeah... don't worry please.
I actually find this interesting. I always wanted to know who were the Canadian builders, being from Canada. Now if there are 100+ names I admit we should narrow it down :)

I'd add
Alcyon (linked to Mariposa)
Hutsebaut

So let us know the name, and include pictures!

BTW,
Is that the same Talbot (Richard) who wrote that framebuilding book?

Yes, there is no need to delete the thread. I'm not offended. I just thought there was a was a path of much less rersistence for all parties involved. Threads like this often tend to become a wheel spinning exercise.

While there are few Canadian builders from the 1960s and 1970s, the task is often complicated when the source is in question. Since the owner could not remember the name or whether it was from the '60s or '70s, it is wide open. It could be from the 1980s, when the majority of Canadian builders started. And we're all assuming it is high end or custom, but that is not necessarily the case. The seller only mentioned "a bike he was going to build up". That could mean simply that he was upgrading a mass produced brand to better suit his wife. For all we know, it may not even be Canadian, depending on well he knows his bicycles.

In my experience, people who do not know the specifics of their bicycles tend to way off base with what they actually have. Often, they got the snow-job from the salesman or they simply thought that $125 was a real expensive bicycle because they only paid $40 for their previous CCM Or Schwinn coaster. Sometimes it works to your advantage and you get something really nice, but in most cases, it is a letdown. Hopefully, things will work out for the OP and he will find something worthwhile.

Not directed towards me, but "Talbot" was the house brand of a shop in Vancouver called "Carleton Cycles" located in the Collingwood area of Vancouver on Kingsway near Boundary. It is slightly confusing because of the "Carleton" being confused with the Raleigh Carlton workshop and the fact that there is an English "Talbot", Carleton Cycles "Talbot" and the framebuilding book authors name being Richard Talbot, and there is NO connection between them!

Some of the Talbots were factory made in Japan and they also made some fine custom bikes in their shop.

The first track bike that I ever saw was hanging on the wall of Carleton around 1966 or so. My brother and I were shocked that a bike could cost that much and only have 1 speed and NO brakes! Our bikes were both 3 speeds and this 1 speed bike cost $105!! It was a Schwinn Paramount....

Proctor?
Brooks?

I thought Pepe Limongi worked in New Jersey and made frames for Paris Sport. Did he move to Canada and set up shop???

Limongi thats the name and I think the guy told me the bikes were sold as limons. NOT lemons but yeah thats the name how did you come up with that?

Well I've seen one or two Limongis in Montréal, and one recently on the track cycling forum (a gorgeous bike btw).

All I have learned about Limongi is from this forum. Guiseppe Limongo started in France, then to Paris sport in the US, and finally somewhere in Québec. Probably a top notch frame you got. Pictures please!

from the above link...
http://velospace.org/files/limongi.JPG