I don't have the frame on hand yet, but let me ask a stupid question about the brake bridge with the hanger above... How does one adjust the brakes with a setup like that? Would the hanger be threaded for an adjuster, or...? It just occurred to me that that could be an issue.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/4...98417963_o.jpg

Well at least on a Carlton frame, there'd be a little barrel adjuster that fits in there. Yours appears to be the same. It's slightly smaller than the typical ones, but shouldn't be all that hard to find.

Beautiful frame by the way. I'm looking forward to seeing it built up, like everyone else.

Thanks for the comment. That's what I was thinking, but I was hoping someone with more experience could confirm it.

Same here - I watched that baby on eBag. Too small for me, though. Very nice, loads of Brit. mojo there, imo!

Guess what just arrived at my office? :D

Looks like it was packed very well, but I'm not going to unpack it until I get it home.

I'm a little bit in disbelief that this thing is now mine...

are you ever really going to regret buying a nice bob jackson frame? unless you **** it up... (powdercoat it pink?)

paint is a bit rough but i actually quite like something to show its age.

I unpacked it. It was packed very securely and it's every bit as amazing as it looked in the photos. And it's so light! I'm on cloud 9, basically.

Well, *that's* a little bit of all right, huh?

Here's a new wrinkle: I just heard back from the Bob Jackson factory. This frame, serial number 4896, was in fact built in 1964. Not 1972 as the seller thought. So it's about 47 years old.

I'd call that a plus...

Yes indeed, it is a plus.

I think thats fantastic that the Bob Jackson company still has the records available to give you a build date. 1964 is a great outcome. Do the records give a first owner's name?

He didn't say in his email. I don't want to pester them as I've heard they can be a little testy, maybe after I get it built up I will send him a picture and inquire about more details.

Great Idea and you are probably right not to pester. I think you have discovered far more than many of us can find out about our new additions. Well done and I can hardly wait to see it built up.

If anybody wants a re-pop of that very Prugnat decal: PM me.
I had loads made when I was restoring another Bob Jackson-made Merlin frame and only used one. These are thin PS vinyl "stickers" printed by JR at Velocals, clearcoat friendly.
Beautiful old BJ, love the old round-blade fork.

About that centerpull barrel adjuster, I think those small ones can be difficult to find.... BUT, IIRC a barrel adjuster from a huret alvit fits those bridges very well. I can take a picture of the one on my Raleigh if you like.

I would really appreciate that picture, thanks!

Hi lostarchitect,

There is a great website that you can access that looks at British (and other) bikes of the classic eras. It is:

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/index.html (Readers' Bikes)

You will be able to access photos of bikes with a similar braking system to the MAFAC system you are thinking about. For instance, have a look at the Claud Butler Super Torino c1967 and the Hetchins Magnum Boron 1969/70. There are a couple of bikes I quickly found with MAFAC brakes and a rear brake bridge.

For any of these "will it fit?" questions, the only sure answer is to try it on the actual frame.

They SHOULD work, but there is a possibility ... such as the square lever stop bracket. I don't recall if they come off the Campy downtube lever mount or not, but you just need to see it on the frame to know for sure. Then you'll KNOW.

I got a couple of those from JRrestore too -- one in red/black/silver, and the other in blue/white/silver. I've seen the red/black/silver on several bikes, but never the blue one; is there any history on these, or has anyone seen that variant on a vintage bike? I'm asking because I'm having a BJ repainted, and it happens to be blue/white/silver too.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/...a5c03ea9_b.jpg

Yup, that's true. I was asking before I had the frame. Now that it's arrived, I'm trying stuff out.

I've seen both color schemes but never with that thick border and radiused corners. I copied the artwork myself and supplied that to JR for printing so I know it was an exact match for the decal I was replacing (probably on an early '70s Merlin). Not a great photo, but here's what they look like:http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=216978
Odd thing is that mine said "ENLACES" where his say "AJOURES", no idea why...

I checked the brake bridge on my Raleigh today and the barrel adjuster was smaller than I remembered. I compared it to a Huret Alvit and there is a very big difference. That doesn't mean that yours is the same, just some food for thought.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/...74e27320_b.jpg

After receiving the frame, it looks like the brake bridge is the right size for a cable ferrule to fit, and it's not threaded. It doesn't seem like it's made for an adjuster... Obviously, I am going to try to fit one in a way that works and looks decent. I'm going to see what else I can find for similar setups, but yours looks like the closest to what I need so far. Thanks very much for posting the picture.

I think maybe I found a solution for the rear brake adjustment.

This: http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1061

http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/37...rge/BR4043.jpg

It attaches to the top tube cable stop and adjusts from there. Anyone ever use one of these? Verdicts?