Anyone else have an MKM?
 

This is the bike that drew me in to the C&V world - approx a mid-70's MKM Metcalfe. While I'd never heard of the marque prior to buying the bike I'm very pleased with it and the way it rides.

There is a website devoted to the marque: mkm-cycles.co.uk.

I bought the bike from the original owner about 18 months ago and it was completely original from top to bottom. Full Campy NR, Brooks team pro saddle, Binda straps, etc. and 3 sets of tubular wheels (one on Campy hubs, one with Zeus low flange and one with Zeus high flange).

It is shown here in L'Eroica '13 configuration with Mavic Open Pro wheels and TG 28 tires plus longer arms on the NR derailleur to accommodate the 30 tooth freewheel. It worked flawlessly on the 75 k route, which was a great ride as I hooked up with several of the Chicago area C&V contingent.

I digress. I am, however, curious if anyone else has an MKM they can share.

Thanks.

Brad.




http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...ps337cded5.jpg

To further differentiate my Metcalfe from the scads of others that seem to be out there :lol: , I have posted a couple of images that discuss the difference between the BAR (Best All Rounder) and TDF models of the Metcalfe bicycle. I certainly prefer the BAR's lugs and fork crown - got lucky there.


http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...ps52fb9bfc.jpg

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6fa5b39f.jpg

Very Nice !! - I think that bike is a perfect fit for the term "quietly tasteful"

Man, that's a beauty! Looks even better, sitting at the computer, now that I'm not sweating and out of breath as I struggle to keep up with you :)

Have you seen this page?:

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bri...M/MKM_main.htm

Are you on the CR list? I'd guess that you're more likely to find some other MKM owners over there....

Are you ready to take her across the pond for L'Eroica Britannia? She might enjoy seeing the motherland again :)

Mkm
 

Thanks Bibliobob:

Yes I've done some interwebs exploration and seen that MKM page. I'll check out CR again although I seem to recall something about volumes of email being the reason I stayed away from it.

L'Eroica Britannia sounds like a great idea. Time will tell.

Brad

One of my favorites. Here is my old one that was sold due to size, have up on finding a 59cm. Loved the head tube lug work.

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...psda9fb576.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...pseb44cc8c.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...ps34f5d7f9.jpg

Nice bike Vonruden. Notice the MM Cycles head badge and the MKM decal designation on the down tube - apparently Kitching bailed on Mason and Metcalfe so for a short time they tried to brand as MM Cycles but for some reason reverted to MKM, although with head tube decals instead of the nicer metal badge. Nice lugs and I like the colour - with a bit of polish it would look great.

Brad

Correct Steve, below is some info Robin from The MKM site had provided when I still owned the bike. If only it was a 59cm it would still be with me.

"The frame looks absolutely correct and the head badge was one which ran for a short while when they first set up. The original plan was, possibly, for Ron Kitching to provide some finance to the company but he was very concerned about the business skills of Arthur and Wes and so limited his involvement to buying the Chapel Works and renting it to MKM.

This so upset Arthur and Wes that they changed the MKM to MM, they planned to change the company name but this proved to costly and so it stayed as MKM.

Congratulations on finding an MKM frame in original condition.


All the best

Robin Hatherell"

I believe I just joined the MKM club. Serial number 1600, and just a plain M M Cycles headbadge, with no other graphics. Except the 531 stickers and gorgeous lugs. The oddity is that they seem to be Nervex Pro lugs (from what I've read), but I can't find any other reference to MM/MKM making bikes with these lugs.

Photos...
http://i.imgur.com/Iidy48M.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2NLOlsg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KpDAfuW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gtlv5Kj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dDIwmx0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eY1tuXj.jpg

I purchased this frame brand new in 1977 - an MKM "Dominator" (frame #3951 ). I absolutely loved MKM's racing history. I was going to build it (fully Campy) from scratch, but I never got around to it and the frame stayed (along with a budding collection of new Campy parts) in my various closets over the years. Other than installing a Campy headset, I never rode it. My wife and I are in process of downsizing, so I'll probably sell it on eBay. Though I still love the classic steel bikes of the 70s/80s. Here some pics of my MKM. Enjoy!
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=434381http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=434382http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=434383http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=434384

Did you sell your frame?

thanks.

brad

Dredging up an old thread to add my name to the list. Serial number dates to 1978 using the distribution listed on the MKM information site, but I have my doubts about the accuracy of that distribution scheme. I suspect the model is "Dominator".

http://i.imgur.com/FUcRj4S.jpg

As it came to me: Campy NR headset, Sugino BB, Zeus Gran Sport crank, Zeus Criterium RD, Suntour Cyclone FD, Shimano 600ax shifters, Campy Record CPSC brakes with NR levers, Cinelli old logo Campione del Mondo bars, Cinelli new logo 1/A stem, unmarked Campy-style 2-bolt seatpost, Avocet saddle, low-flange Campy tipo hubs, Fiamme tubular rims. A weird mix and there's no telling which components were part of the original build. Needs a bit of paintwork but after that it'll get a period-correct build with full Campy NR, and the Zeus parts will come in handy for another planned project.

^ Very nice! Looks like it has one of those Shimano Dura Ace stickers on the downtube. I've seen those on several mid-70s Brit bikes, usually with early generation Dura Ace components.

It does indeed, and I actually considered building it with early DA, but only briefly. I have an almost-complete group of 7200 (missing shifters and brake levers) but something just seems wrong about building a fairly traditional English frame with Japanese parts. Weirdly, though, I had no problem building a bizarre Belgian frame with Shimano stuff. I may have to reexamine my philosophical approach :).

Interesting-as on my maternal side Metcalf is a surname. So cool if I were related in some way-with my love of vintage bikes. ;)

Interesting, I believe it was [MENTION=173992]non-fixie[/MENTION] that has said the Belgians were some of the earliest users of the Japanese components.

That may well be. Walter Godefroot, the 'Bulldog of Flanders', gave Shimano their first professional win ever by winning the fifth stage of the 1973 Ruta del Sol on a Dura Ace-equiped Flandria.

I have a fork.

Was given the frame too, post big crash.
Took it apart in prep for replacing the front end, many years ago now.
Tossed it as the workmanship revealed upon dismemberment was "production" at best.
Yes, only one sample, so not a trend.

Very nice MKM Dominator at a good price set up with early Cyclone and what appears to be newer gold ano Araya rims on Seattle Craigslist right now; I may go have a look when I'm over in North Seattle this weekend. I don't have my heart set on it, though, so other PNW members feel free to jump on this:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...man/MKMjpg.jpg
MKM Dominator (hand built) 61cm

^^That is nice indeed! Makes me wish I needed another bike. But I don't.

I picked that bike in Seattle up this morning ... it's really beautiful. The guy selling it on Caigslist does a very nice job of restoring bikes and it looks it has mostly original components except for a 700cc wheelset. Have been reading more about MKM Cycles - that website has a lot of great history on them.

I have one that I got from [MENTION=138166]kona[/MENTION]aronsnake a while back. It's been hanging out in my shop since then waiting for the right group to come along--In other words, I have too many bikes and don't know what to do with it. But I really love it, so eventually I will part with something else and build it up. My girlfriend has her eye on it, and it'd fit her, so maybe I'll build it up for her... (and me, too).

http://imgur.com/GBdMA1B.jpg

more photos: http://imgur.com/a/YzuVV

Really poor picture from around 1975 of the Wes Mason I had at the time....

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...psiv5g17tm.jpg

Bought as a frame from Bicyclesport in Toronto, built up with Gen 1 Shimano Crane/Sun Tour Comp-V (or was it still the Simplex front i had lying around?); Sugino Mighty Comp, MKS pedals, Mafac Racer brakes.....

^^^ Very nice Mark.

Here is mine, no recent changes or pics, has the DA decal and still have to build the wheels with the black DA hf hubs I picked up some time ago, and find a DA seatpost. It's been on the back burner a while but is a great rider. 76' or so, Dominator.

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnqepu9sp.jpg

Nicely done [MENTION=449792]Smedley[/MENTION]. You've saved [MENTION=280039]Lascauxcaveman[/MENTION] a great deal of angst by buying this bike.

Really like the paint scheme on this one.

Brad