Hey Mike, it does almost appear to be inspired by the Rough Stuff. Given other cues from the bike and that it is a tandem, it surely has to be built that way to accommodate a tall captain and relatively short stoker.

Thanks for pointing out the Rough Stuff! That is one cool bike.

I think it was first made in 1953? The first purpose-built MTB, I assume!?

Other way around - the Rough Stuff models' was adapted from their tandems.

that rough stuff is awesome!!!!

So, did somebody get it? Man, I would've!

MercianRider did get it and then passed it along to me. I've completely torn it down and am building it up as I find the time.

Pictures of that Jack Taylor never get old. Are you going with the retroshifters ?

I'm going to try them with 6 speed indexing shifters, even though the cable exits don't quite line up with the mounts. I have 13-32 IRD 6 speed freewheel for it.

Built around 27" wheel, 5 speed rear? that would be a leave it as is challenge..

Phil Wood tandem hub (140mm) laced with 48 swaged spokes to a 27" Weinmann concave rim, yes.

Looking good, Justin!

I see you've located a pair of Gripfast pinch bolts, hope you didn't have to filch them off the eccentric. I've a few more details to work out on mine, perpetually almost there.

This is where I'm at, but it just can't possibly fit me or my stoker. But it is a whale of a lot cheaper than the Meridian bare frame my bud is trying to sell me! And I can't imagine Jack Taylor having made a low-quality frame.

Re flex, all you know is that it is smaller-diameter tubing. It could be Reynolds Super Tourist, Columbus SP, or a mix of them with some straight 531.

For this price, I've seen cheap French gaspipe tandems. This is FAR better than that. Somebody tall, buy it!

Thank you, sir!

I did rob the knurled Gripfast bolts from the eccentric and replaced them with the smooth head version which I found for a reasonable price here.