I volunteer at Bicylce Works which is the shop run by The Edmonton Bicycle Commuter's society which has been working for cyclists here for almost 30 years.

The website is edmontonbikes.ca

That Cyclo derailer... for anyone who has never seen one.

It is a oil bath derailer that uses a cable and rod operated coil spring to move the cage to and fro... these were a common design back in the 50's and cyclo sold them in a kit with a double or triple cog to expand the gearing on an SA hub.

They came in models that could accommodate 3, 4, or 5 speed blocks whereas the JUY543 on my old Peugeot has an adjustable range and is a far nicer and yet, similar design.

Not my pic... mine needs some serious disassembly and cleaning up but all that oil covering it has preserved it very nicely.


https://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/bbcbikes/cyclo_der__2_.JPG

Thanks Sixty-Fiver for that info... I had never seen one.

So... on Friday just as I was leaving work I checked Craigslist and found a listing for a "vintage English 10 speed". It was at the top of the list, being listed moments earlier. I called the guy and made plans to drive out to the suburbs right away. He wanted $40.00 for it.

When I got there he had already received numerous emails about the bike and had then done some research online. I said "I'll give you the forty bucks for it" and he said "I'll just bet you will".

So what I got was a nice (I am really guessing 60's) Dawes "Realm Rider"

It is candy apple red with really nice blue and ivory decals... and the nicely lugged steel frame is 9/10. The rims are shot, and the tires are brittle, but otherwise it is in remarkable shape.

Is anyone here familiar with Dawes? I would post photos but my camera is at work and I have already stripped it down for a full cleaning. Any info would be greatly helpful.

Ahhh. You're the one that beat me to it. I hope it turns out to be a really nice ride as it was an attractive bike. I'm glad it went to a fellow C&Ver and wasn't turned into fixie/SS. Just tell me that it was a lemon.

If you decide to flip it, let me know and I may still be interested.

!
Sorry!

Well the price just went up because I ordered new rims/spokes/tires/tubes/tape... and I'm going to need a rear derailleur because that was missing and was probably the reason it is in such good shape. I figure it broke early on and caused the bike to go into deep freeze once the owner got discouraged.

Quite right... It will NOT become a fixie/SS! I am polishing up the Normandy hubs and will build the new wheels up to be as original looking as possible. The rims as found were rusty and dented and warped so I don't feel at all bad about vanquishing them.

I will post photos when I get it on the road. If you are in Chicago we can meet up so you can take it for a spin... and get some Lemonade.

Dawes made some very nice bikes and are noteworthy for their beautiful lugs and pleasant riding frames.

The Galaxy touring model seems to be their most popular model and I see these fairly often... they have 531 frames and all seem to have been finished in a dark brown with yellow decals.

These were pretty economical bikes as they were fitted with middle of the road groups which would have kept costs down and am sure many an old Dawes Galaxy was bought primarily for the frame and fork and not so much the other parts.

They are a solidly made bike and tend to be good values.

Dawes made some very nice bikes and are noteworthy for their beautiful lugs and pleasant riding frames.

The Galaxy touring model seems to be their most popular model and I see these fairly often... they have 531 frames and all seem to have been finished in a dark brown with yellow decals.

These were pretty economical bikes as they were fitted with middle of the road groups which would have kept costs down and am sure many an old Dawes Galaxy was bought primarily for the frame and fork and not so much the other parts.

They are a solidly made bike and tend to be good values.

Thanks Sixty-Fiver...

Would my frame be 531? There are no decals indicating frame material. The frame (now bare) does seem a bit heavier than some of my full 531 bikes. How would I find out the material? Heck.. how would I find the year of manufacture?

Inquiring minds...

BTW... Sixty-Fiver... trade you for your Rudge?!?

Very nice catch if you are buying it for yourself. That looks to be an 83 620.
https://www.vintage-trek.com/TrekBroc...rt1.htm#page10
I just sold a 520 that was in near as nice of condition for the same price. Shame it didn't have it's factory rack.
How to run the SN# https://www.vintage-trek.com/SerialNumbers.htm
Rigida rims of that vintage polish up VERY nice. I had a 84 Peugeot with the same rims and they just about came up to a mirror shine. Go find some "Mothers mag wheel polish" at the autoparts store.

Dawes Realm Rider... Ivandarken: "Any info would be greatly helpful."

Post some pictures. Dawes did make very nice "trekking" bikes. I liked my Dawes. It came with a straight gauge Reynolds 531 frame, Benelux deraileurs, Weinmann brakes, Brooks leather saddle, Williams crank set, GB engraved bars and stem, contoured brake hood covers, fenders, a Miller generator set, and a nice rear rack. It was heavy, but had a very solid feel to it when you rode it. Replaced it with a Fuji, which I set up similarly to the Dawes. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal. Check the internet, there is a good deal of information on them.

Here is a picture of the 1955 Realm Rider:

Cycleheimer...

I should have it cleaned and put back together by the end of the week. I will post photos then. Till then here is the original Craigslist photo.

Dawes Realm Rider...
The headbadge design and colors can help identify it's general age.

Fuji Dynamic 12

Well a trash find today -- Ross MT Poconos. The RD is mangled and it is in pretty rough shape. This maybe a direct to COOP donation.

Wild little bike!! 54 cm
No decals for make or model other than TVT
TVT drop outs
Campy group except shimano 105 cranks
The fellow I bought it from said it's from 1983??
Campy record hubs
NISI Mixer rims
Cinelli bars and stem
Got it for $50

I was eyeballing this one on friday as well...........I replied to an ad in Elgin, can't remember if this was the one though...........great find!

The one in Elgin might have been the Miyata 610 with the Brooks saddle, panniers, multiple spare saddles, multiple sets of pedals, tools, and helmet. I picked up that little lot. I believe he also had a Brooks Professional for sale as well.

I'd happily trade for that Dawes though.

I really need a Fuji in my collection. I have a Royale mixte, but it's just too small for me. It does, however, make a wonderful guest bike for visitors.

It's a really nice bike. Smooth and quiet ride. Paint is near perfect too.

I got a 1984 Schwinn Peloton off the side of the road about a year ago and I just finished fixing it up. When I got it, it had a sign saying "FREE" taped to it. I knocked on the guy's door, he told me to take it, and I brought it back home. From what I can tell, all the parts were original, except for the front chainwheels, which were replaced with Dura-Ace Biopace. The front brake was missing a barrel adjuster, and the levers needed some fiddly bits. I got a replacement brake of the same make and model (NGC 400), but the levers were a little different. Once I figure out how to post pictures, I'll get some photos of the restored bike.

Nice score!

I'm impressed you were able to whip it into shape and ride it 30 miles the next day! Usually takes me at least a year, even if I'm only wiping off the dust.

Oh, and bonus on those drillium rings! Nice job!

Thanks! Here's a picture of the restored bike:

Looks like you guys are my competition in Chicago looking for vintage bikes we all don't need more of. Maybe we should start a club.