Help dating a Bob Jackson
 

I've tried finding info about Bob Jackson bikes online, but had very little success. Plenty of info about the man and the company, but nothing that could help me place a date on the frame, or as to how it was built up. I'm hoping to find guidance from the flock.

Thanks much.

I would suggest you contact BJ directly.

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/

He's pretty old, you sure you want to date him?

The mayor of Casa Grande is named Bob Jackson, he may be available.

Ha, I thought the same thing.

did you scan this thread?:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...jackson+serial
there might be something in there, including some iffy guesswork by yours truly. Too bad BJ doesn't seem to be offering the build cards for 25 pounds anymore (or so the rumors go), still if you ask nicely they might respond.
My guess it that it's a late 70s/early '80s frame, but the 'conservative' touches like the top-of-BB-cable guide can be misleading, I think BJ used those well past when others had moved on.

Expected!! I thought some of you would have fun with that title.

I've already checked the Bob Jackson site, not much about production years on vintage bikes, mostly history of the company. Good reading though. I've read some odd stories that people have posted about trying to contact the company. Thought I would seek more information here before going that route.

You guys are funny!

Yes, the cable guides were throwing me off as well. The fastback seat stays and the front fork made me think early 80's. Thanks unworthy1, I'll check the thread out.

I checked the thread out, some good info for comparative analysis. It's hard to place a firm date,but I would agree sometime between 79 and 82 (mine is 12969). Some very fine looking BJ's in that thread. The geometry on my BJ looks to be a little tighter than some of the cycles on the thread. Race geometry maybe?
Thanks again for the info unwourthy1

I have frame 12470, and BJ confirmed that it's a 1977. They won't look up or print the shop card anymore, like they used to. My frame has no braze-ons at all for cables, excepting the stop for RD housing on R chain stay. Are you sure about the 2nd number of the serial -- doesn't look like a 2 in your photo to me, but I can't see it that well.

Here's a better picture of the numbers and the fastback stays. If yours is 470 and a '77, then my 969 I think would be a '79-'80. Does yours have the fastback stays? All the BJ's I've seen have the traditional seat tube and stay cluster. I wonder if it's a custom bike? I've heard that BJ would warehouse frames and use them up as needed, even years later. Don't know, just rumors. Thanks for the info Charles Wahl.

No, seat stay caps on my BJ frame are the typical flat semi-wrap (with tips that don't meet perfectly, like my front teeth). My BB casting doesn't have "Made in England" or cutouts, and my fork crown is external rather than internally lugged. Your bike is more special. If you want to see a really special one, take a look at Stronglight's orange BJ. I almost bought one of those, but seller was a flake.

To me, based on the slotted BB shell, I think that it is from the 1971-1975 era. Reminds me of some of the Raleigh Pro's and Internationals around that time frame. I am far from a Bob Jackson expert, only having seen a handful in my life, but my 2 cents are based on what I see in the pictures.

I've got 11093 that I bought new around 76...and mine has no slots in the bottom bracket. Also mine does not have braze on cable guides near the bottom bracket, but a Campy bolt on guide. Its a 54 with steep angles for racing. Who knows how long mine was hanging up at the bike shop in State College Pa. before I fell in love with it. I built mine up all Campy record with tubulars for around $780...
It's candy apple red with white Bob Jackson decals. It was too big for me (5'5"), but I just had to have that color. I barely rode it a year before downsizing to a Richard Sachs that fit me better. 5 minutes ago was the first time I looked at my Bob Jackson in 20 years!

email serial numbers to paul @ bj

It sound like a gorgeous bike, you should post some pics for reference material. With your 11093 being a 76 and Charles Wahl's 12470 a 77, assuming BJ was doing maybe 500-800+ frames a year, I would place my 12969 as a early/mid 78. Very cool!! It's sporting an Edco Competition headset, would love to build it up as that. Very had parts to find though. Thanks for your input Ignatz851

Should I send it to paul@bobjacksoncycles.co.uk
Is this Paul Kirk that your referring to. Thanks TimeTraval_0

Now here is the real need... Someone put together this guys bike manufacturing history - Maybe even post to Wikapedia - It would be well deserved because the bike itself looks VERY SWEET...

Ahem: http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...b-jackson.html

And here's Stronglight's BJ "Olympus," which is a bike I never tire of looking at.

Paul at BJ is quite helpful, but as I said, they won't copy/laminate the shop card like they used to; I suspect that they've gotten rid of them.

I've had two Bob Jacksons, sent them e-mails with the serial number, and received a very courteous reply within a couple days for no charge.

Not I, they siad my 11957 was from the 50's

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/r...n/IMG_0274.jpg

Yes indeed, that is one fine looking cycle!! I always love the orange and black paint schemes. Beautiful layout on the seat tube, the frame pump is a nice touch, just gorgeous. The lugs appear to Prugnats, similar to mine. Yes, I checked out the classic lightweights site, great stuff there. If they did do away with paper(as many companies do), it would be a shame that they didn't digitize the archive beforehand.

I'll shoot Paul at BJ an email and see what happens, it couldn't hurt. Thanks USAZorro.