1970s Dawes Galaxy info/questions
 

Hi, so I think (hope?) I got a good deal on this bike... I paid 80$ for it, and it's remarkably shiny for what I can guess is a 70s bike. The gears and chain don't look like they've seen much use, but the frame has a lot of cosmetic scratches and is even missing a bit of paint in a few spots, so I guess I'll have to touch it up a bit. I would like to upgrade all the steel on this bike and use it for touring, as I gather they are good touring rigs.

Here are some photos:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/...7c67cd7ef9.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/...65f26dec0f.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/...7b649027a5.jpg

It has simplex derailers, aluminum maillard hubs, weinman centre pull brakes. It's got a sticker that looks like it's 531 reynolds as well. Steel cottered crank, it's a 10 speed too. Is there any way to tell if it has a heliomatic hub in the back?

It's not a Helicomatic hub if it's 70's but you can look at the pic on Sheldon Browns site
to be sure http://sheldonbrown.com/velos.html#helicomatic

It is a very nice piece - (frankly I really like the look of that cottered crank - I'd keep it).

I'm just guessing 1970s because of the cottered cranks. I do like they way they look but not the way they weight. (groan) I can't imagine a reason not to hold onto the original components if I ride the frame as a more modern touring bike.

IIRC it is 531 main triangle but still a helluva good deal at that price. Equip it as you see fit and ride it. I have one a bit newer 76? That I have yet to get built up. I think yours is probably early 1970's.

Aaron:)

I had the same bike, I bought it new in 1969 from Pop's Bicycles in Santa Ana, California, I rode that thing everywhere, I did have a Brooks saddle on it, never was a comfortable seat.

Great find..

I remember I paid $119.00 for it new

Looks to be roughly equivalent to a Raleigh Super Course, very nice!

That is a very good price for a fairly uncommon bike with a fairly good frame. I have one that I am about to restore. I paid more. I may even pick up another identical one.

It could be dated as early as the late 60's if my information is correct... which it may not be as the resources don't come looking for you.

Here is my Dawes Realmrider I restored and built new wheels for. The original steel wheels were toast. Everything else, including the hubs are original.

Any chance you can post a close up of the decal(?) below the reynolds sticker?

[IMG]http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/y...Realmrider.jpg[/IMG]

Workingbikes in Chicago has a Galaxy for $175, if anybody is interested, though it is my least favorite in regards to color choices.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=131510http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=131511http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=131512http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=131513

Ivandarken: Did you pick up the two green Dawes out of Northern Il that were on CL a while back?

No, beech, I was in Santa Barbara... but I monitored the ad and was as curious as you all when no one could reach the seller. I wondered if it was a scam because the phone number listed was incorrect. However I searched a bid further (from my hotel room) and saw that these bikes were also listed in a Craigslist yard sale ad. So I think it was legit, but the phone number messed things up.

And beech...:mad: That is the bike I was going to look at today, but I was in meetings all day and couldn't run out to see it. So thanks for posting it nationally!:notamused:

lol... maybe it will still be there when they open on Saturday.:rolleyes:

(Still a bit overpriced):(

Dawes Galaxy...$175.00
gas to go see it...$ 0.50
overuse of emoticons..... PRICELESS!

Sorry. I would think that it should still be there. I believe they only sell bikes on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Plus, it has been on CL before. That is where I first spotted it a little while back. Since it is still posted, I assume the local C&V BFers were not interested for some reason. I just don't have the room, otherwise it would have been gone today.

I hope it is gone. I will go there Saturday and probably buy it. Why? I don't know. I have the exact same bike waiting to be restored... So why in the world would I get another one?!?

Clasher... Dawes are a sickness... sell it now... must... sell.... now...arghmmph!

I bought mine in 1971 from the same store. It got stolen less than a week later.

Oh, sorry about taking your bike GB... I was young and a little rebellious back then.

So, here's a closeup of the decals on the seat tube. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/...80efc9a9_b.jpg It links to a big pic.

I'll save all the original components I have and build it up with some modern parts for touring. Thanks!

1959 Dawes Windrush with Reynolds 531 frame ... a predecessor to the Galaxy. It has fenders, rear rack and a Miller generator light set. This one was a very solid rider that I restored, but the frame was just way to small for me. The Galaxy, as I understand it, is (was?) a very popular touring bike in the U.K. They (model name) were first introduced some time in the early '60s. $80 (Canadian?) doesn't sound that bad.

I know someone that works at Workingbikes and they sent me that link. But I want the green Galaxy version. Have seen them in $75-150 range. A few weeks back in the Chicago craigs there were two matching grrens for $200 OBO. Was never able to reach the seller.

no on could... dead link

That is a really nice looking bike Chuckk.

Where do you keep it parked at night, or where is it locked up when you are at work all day and not paying attention to it... or what is your normal route and are there secluded stretches along the way?
...just curious.

In New York we don't even JOKE about that! :innocent:

I'm in Chicago... do you know where your bike is right now????

Seriously... nice Dawes. I just made a big order from Velo Orange. I might put some new Honjo fenders and a porteur rack on my Galaxy. Going to see how that works out. If not, they go on my PX-10. Also ordered porteur bars, sew on tape, and a bunch of lil' bits to play around with. I sold my car... so I tell myself I can justify the new, pretty, shiny things...!

I checked out that Workingbikes Galaxy today... I would have picked it up if it were all original. But the nature of that place is that volunteers take donated bikes and fix them up for locals to purchase and ride. There is not much incentive to keep the original parts if they don't work properly, and probably no incentive to repair things like derailleurs and such.

There was another Dawes three speed... unfortunately it had two big dents in the top tube, and I couldn't make out the name of the bike (Dawes had great, stupid names for their bikes... like "D'Artaneon") (There was a "Diana" womans bike that was already sold) The frame on the Galaxy was fairly beat, so while it would make a great beater city bike, It doesn't make my cut for a restoration project.

I would pay #50.00 for it as is. No dice!

I did pick up a big bag full of vintage Simplex front derailleurs though. Lovely 60's-70's Delrin plastic from the large parts bins. Now I can ride without worry, knowing that if (when) the plastic breaks on my early Peugeot, I can simply replace it each time. I'm good now for several years.

centre pull brakes
 

Most of the 1970s Dawes Galaxy bikes I see on the web have centre pull brakes which must have come in somewhere in the early 1970s. I have side pulls on my restoration project. I also had a Dawes Galaxy brand new in 1972 as an 18 birthday present for college and seem to remember it having side pull brakes. Needless to say they are useless!

Would a change to centre pull brakes be an opportunity to ditch the 27" wheels and adopt 700c wheels even though aesthetically it would look wrong? Would the hubs be a problem?
​​​​​

I've got a couple, supposed to be '68 and '69
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...50f384a76a.jpg
They both had center pulls
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4c0e273f28.jpg
The orange one was my training bike for a while, and 700's changed it to a very pleasant bike compared to the 27's
But I needed VERY long reach brakes on the back when I changed to side pulls, and they worked poorly.
When the orange bike turned back into my tourer I kept the 700's. I had a local frame builder put cantilever studs on the rear.
Look at the distance to the brake center mount!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a618e3d7a.jpg
But all that was before dual pivot brakes got popular.
So if I was doing it today I'd look for some long dual pivot brakes - can't say if the longest Tectros would bridge that gigantic gap.
One of the things folks used to do is make a dropper plate that would bolt to the hanger hole and let you mount the brake caliper below it.
The front has pretty normal clearance.

What's the width of the rear for that? Mine is around 1970 and it seems to measure out at 117mm. I don't know if it's just bent or if that was normal. Certainly I have a very hard time getting the wheel in or out. I will have it respaced at some point but I'm not in a hurry.

Hi, thanks for all the info and tips. I'll experiment with the brakes as it seems to me the side pulls may have been added by the guy who had it before me as it clearly has had bits done to it plus there is a factory welded on bracket on the frame just below the seat post clinch to guide the cable for a centre pull.
What do you think of this though?