Dayton Cycles and Co - Roadmaster
 

I am currently refurbing an old Dayton Cycles and Co Roadmaster for an 82 year old friend of mine who has had it since the late 1950's. I have tried to do some research, but apart from some old leaflets there seems to be hardly any information out on the web about the company. Is there anyone out in cyber world that has any information on it? I think this is one of the first type of lugless bikes.

The bike is in nearly original condition. The rear Benelux gears have been replaced by an ugly Simplex set up which I will try to change. The front mudguard has been broken at some point but I think I will have trouble getting a matching colour replacement! It is in desperate need for an authentic saddle as it has a plastic brooks one on ..... which looks hideous. I think the GB sports MK 3 brakes date it from 1958 to 1961 till the company went out of buisiness.

It has forty years of junk on it which is not coming off to well. The major problem is the dirt is so ingrained that it is making the blue frame colour look a revolting green ....very yucky.

I have attached some photo's of the bike as I don't think there are any on the web of this bike in this colour.

Any suggestions on getting the junk off without rubbing the paint work off would be welcome!

Promise to post the finished product on here when I have finished.

VERY cool bike! I love that head badge too

Generally I wash the bike with a solution of Simple Green first, just to assess what I am dealing with.
I use WD40 to get most of the grime off - for the really stubborn stuff I have resorted to Goof-off.

When needed, 3M rubbing compound can mechanically remove the stuff that remains, but understand that this will remove some paint, so be judicious.
I normally finish with Meguiars wax to protect it and leave a shine.

Cool bike. I kept mistaking the decal on the head tube for lugs.

I have just got another Roadmaster (first one yellow 1948 second I think 1951 blue but with white script lettering )and like you can't find much info on them! Is there anything you have learnt about the company? And your project? Rob

Hi Ian,

I also recently finished restoring a Dayton roadmaster and if you would be so kind as too let me have whatever artwork you have to allow me print off decals I'll be very grateful.

Many thanks,

Bob.

Hi Bob.
if you email me I can send the Roadmaster graphic file back to you. Just finished the filigree seat tube artwork and waiting on my printer's results which is on self adhesive vinyl. I want to copyright this as there has been so much time involved but could poss post a vinyl which will need to be cut with a scalpel. Idid a colour version and a black only to print onto silver which looked fine on the screen but not so good in reality! ROB PORCH robertjporch@gmail.com

Hi moggers! More than 4 years have passed since your post and people loose interest and even pass away. If you are still living, any chance of putting some detailed pics of the seat and down tube transfer/decals on this forum or email direct robertjporch@gmail.com I am trying to get some graphics together for these cycles. They are few and far between with a number of differences in the year of manufacture and model. Especially the Amalgam process transfer . I hope you'll read this and respond. Rob in Dawlish

Hello All
I am planning to restore a Dayton Elite and am also looking for decals, especially the down tube script one.
I would be really interested to receive a copy of Roadmaster decals to help with the script typeface for the Elite.
Thanks.

Did you ever finish this bike? and did you ever find out more about Dayton?

I have nearly finished restoring a Dayton Roadmaster and did do some research which brought up information that others may have already found but I will reproduce it here:-

This is an extract from Graces Guide @ https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Dayton_Cycle_Co

Dayton were motorcycles produced from 1913 to 1922 by Chas. Day of the Dayton Cycle Co. of Shoreditch, London; 1939 and 1955 to 1960 in North Acton, London.

1913 A lightweight was produced with a 1.5hp, 162cc two-stroke engine fitted with an Amac carburettor. It had a chain-driven magneto, petroil lubrication, transmission by a chain-driven two-speed gearbox and either Druid or Saxon forks. There was also a single speed model.

1915 The range continued and a ladies’ model was offered. War brought production to a close.

1920 The marque reappeared with a simple lightweight fitted with a 269cc Villiers engine. It had a cylindrical, tapered fuel-tank hung from the top tube. There was also mention of a motorised bath-chair with a 161cc two-stroke engine steered by tiller control, that had first been seen the previous year.

1921 The firm showed the lightweight at Olympia, plus a three-wheeled, single-seat machine with a 4hp Blackburne engine, three speeds and wheel steering.

1939 Having been already established in the production of bicycles, the firm, now based in North Acton, London, returned to motorcycles. They produced an autocycle powered by a 98cc Villiers engine. Typical of its tpe, it was only listed for that year, which saw the start of World War II.

Post War. The company returned to making bicycles for several years.

1955 onwards. The company entered the scooter market and introduced a model named Albatross. Powered by a 224cc Villiers 1H engine, it did not sell particularly well in comparison with the popular Italian machines. This was mainly due to its size, weight, name and design. Other versions were added, fitted with variously-sized Villiers engines. The final model was the Flamenco.

1960 Production ceased after that year.
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In the 1940's/50's Dayton had some success with their own racing team and information can be found on the Veteran Cycle Club Website : http://www.veterancycleclublibrary.o...rary/index.php

As of today the site is not functioning so I hope it will be back soon, it is worth it to keep trying, they have a lot of brochures and race team information.

This is a photo of my Dayton Roadmaster not quite complete but almost:-
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...975a8f7305.jpg

Dayton Roadmaster Frame No AF5417