So, I just bought this.
 

Am I crazy? It just called out to me. Price didn't seem too bad. Paint is a little rough but not terrible. I felt like I had to have it, for some reason.

edit: Reynolds 531, Campy dropouts and headset. Seller says it's a 72, does that sound right?

(edit: Bob Jackson factory dates it as a 1964)

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/4...98412561_o.jpg

more pics: http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/...0,0,0&format=0

Like a fox.

It's beautiful -what is it?

DD

JRJ. Bob Jackson, before he changed the name.

Ah - thanks!

What's the build-plan?

DD

Well, I have a bunch of Nuovo Record stuff I was going to put on my old Atala. It outclassed that frame anyway, so I think I'll move it over. I'll be needing an appropriate BB and stem, but otherwise I think I have what I need hanging around. Just have to build up the wheels.

Never seen a lug decal before.

Very nice frame with a very nice colour scheme. My first 'real' bike was a Bob Jackson but I sold it as it was a little too small for me. I didn't understand what I actually had at the time (late 70's).

I love the frame features such as the long pointed lugs, the brake bridge, the wrap around seat stays, the clean under bottom bracket, the fork crown, etc. It should look wonderful with the Campy Nuovo Record components although Weinmann brakes would suit your frame's setup.

If it were mine, I would colour match the teal green paint and airbrush the top tube areas void of paint provided it didn't destroy the overall patina. Perhaps the rear and front forks as well. I did this to an 82 Bianchi and you couldn't tell it had been repaired.

That's really cool--never seen a JRJ before.

IF that is a 1972 (and there is nothing I can see to suggest otherwise), he was already selling frames under the "Bob Jackson" name. I have no idea when he stopped using one marque and started using the other, but I do know that "Bob Jackson" badges frames were out there by 1970 or '71. Maybe earlier, but that i don't know.

If you mean the marking on the seat stay caps, I've seen a number of of British frames (Jacksons and others) with that exact design. All have been pinstripe painting, not a decal. The Brits could go subtle and low key (Ron Cooper leaps to mind), uber-flashy (Mercian Vincintoires, for example), or in between (e.g. Jack Taylors with comparatively simple paint jobs highlighted by superb box-pinstriping).

Oooo, those nutty Englishmen . . . .

The Prugnat decal in image 11.

Well, that's different. Never mind . . . .

Haha, when you started collecting Campy stuff for your Atala, I knew you would soon be seduced by something sexier but woah, that's a heck of a lot sexier than I was expecting! :thumb:

What brakes? With that gorgeous bridge you have to go with centerpulls. I'd recommend Mafac's.

I have a GB stem you can have, it's not really special but it's English and period-correct.

My feelings would have told me I need it too! Nice grab! Love the patina.

Gold MAFACS FTW on this bike. Lovely find.

I would totally be interested in that stem RHM, feel free to PM me and let me know what you want for it!

The brake bridge is pretty cool, I agree. I have some Weinmanns I could put on, or I could look for some Mafacs or Dia Compes. I also have some Nuovo Record sidepull calipers I just bought from Force. I tend to prefer sidepulls, but I don't want to ignore that cool bridge. We'll see.

The Bob Jackson / JRJ name change is why I was curious about the date... I was wondering if it was a little bit older. I suppose he could have been using both names for a while, but I don't know. Maybe a Jackson expert will chime in.

I think the main reason I went for this is that the first bike I really thought, "Woah, that's cool!" about was a Bob Jackson. There of course have been many since then, but that was the first.

I'm a little terrified of this idea. I want to do something about the paint, but I feel like it would be pretty easy to mess it up. I suppose I'll wait until I actually see it on my doorstep to decide what to do.

Thats understandable. I must admit that I have had a little experience with an airbrush but it is quite controllable after a little practice and also experience with masking techniques. I suggest leaving the paint as is until you know what you want to do about the areas that could be touched up. I would hate to see the original patina spoilt but I would consider the larger areas of missing paint and how to deal with them. It is such a lovely frame - I wish I had your dilemma.

Thanks, Gary, I appreciate the advice. It is a pretty thing.

I've also emailed the Bob Jackson factory with photos to see if they can confirm the date, and to ask about when the JRJ name was superseded by the Bob Jackson name... And someone emailed me back 30 seconds later! I need to get the serial number and they will let me know. Wow.

Now that's fantastic.

He also responded about when the use of the JRJ name stopped, and apparently it is a gray area.

That is one neat looking frame. Love the colors.

That's a work of art. Nicely done.

That was in my watch list too. Too small for me, but I really like it. I agree with Rudi that MAFAC centerpulls would be a great choice. That frame is nearly perfect (lots of attractive patina, but no visible rust or damage). Great score.

Is there a typical seatpost size for a 531 frame? I want to see if I have one around that will fit or if I need to buy something....

Thanks. It's actually slightly on the tall side for me, but only a little. I couldn't say no. I have no idea if the price was appropriate or not, but it didn't seem awful and the frame is just so cool. I also considered that I wouldn't need to find a headset, which would probably have cost me $75-$100 anyway.

edit: Although my girlfriend is going to kill me when it shows up.