I recently acquired a Dawes touring frameset that I'm trying to figure out in terms of date. It came with Dia Compe 981 canti brakes, and the Trek-heritage site notes that it's possible the brakes are from 1981 (though the date code on them is 5583, which could indicate 1983?). At any rate, the frame takes 700c wheels, a 27.2mm seatpost, had a glue on headbadge, and under-bottom-bracket plastic cable guide, "Dawes" engraved on the seat stay caps, and that's about it. Pics below. Anyone have some Dawes touring bikes to show or leads on more info? I'd like to work on getting replacement decals made but pics out there seem scarce.

Neal

Dang Neal! Where do you find this stuff!

80's Dawes decal pics are as easy as a trip to the basement...hang on

That sure looks like the early/mid eighties. The earlier frames had the funky starburst thing on the end of the seat stays.

Aaron

https://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Dawes-84/







Mine has the starburst stay caps.

Thanks for those pics and links. Keep 'em coming! I did look at that 1984 Dawes catalog, but the tourer is listed as having 27" wheels, so I'm not quite sure what to make of that.

Neal

No drill holes in the head tubes for the badge. Mid eighties, my guess.

Best guess is early 90's but possibly late 80's. I'll get some seat stay pics in the morning.

What is the frame, Reynolds and what does the sticker indicate?

Not sure which bike you are asking about, but the green Super Galaxie is Reynolds 531. The only non Dawes sticker on the bike except for the Reynolds stickers is the original bike shop sticker from Cambridge.

That one certainly looks close, thanks! Any chance I could see pics of the headtube lugs and fork crown? From afar, it looks like my fork crown is a bit different. And what do you know of the history of that bike?

Neal

We're different, without a doubt.

the bike was brought over by an English gentleman who purchased it, and several other bikes, in a short time frame before immigrating to the colonies, lol. Unfortunately, health issues soon befell him and the bikes sat virtually unridden for years until his Mother came over to care for him and decided they were not needed. There was a Dawes Horizon, single chain ring 5 speed, in as new condition for sale as well. Not sure if it is still available since it has been months since I got this one. I suspect it is, and I have avoided going back over, lol.

This one is on UK ebay... I'd love to have it!

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...%3DI%26otn%3D1

Viscount!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How have you not snapped this up yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone, thanks for the great picture postings, a real blast from the past for me. I never owned a Dawes, but I saw several during my time at UCLA.