1946 Hobbs of Barbican
01-12-15, 04:06 PM
#26
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On a lark, I joined the Facebook group "Vintage Steel Bikes and Parts Buy-Sell-Trade" because it seemed like a good match to my interests. Truthfully, it's simply one more thing that junks up my feed, but a couple months ago a guy posted some bits and pieces that caught my attention. He also mentioned that he had "a lot of old frames." What the heck, I asked if he happened to have either a Flying Scott, a Bates, or a Hobbs. Turns out he had all of them - and he was on the other side of the state in the St. Louis area. He and I got to chatting by email and phone, struck an equitable deal, and I got the Hobbs. How he got it - along with all of the other stuff - is the next part of the story. As I recall, he'd come across a guy that was getting out of the bike biz, had a warehouse full of "old stuff" and made him an offer. He tells me that he didn't have any idea how much stuff he'd just bought...I want to say that he wound up with something like six moving vans full of parts and frames that he shipped (from Tennessee, maybe?) to St. Louis. I believe he said that now he has his warehouse stacked to the gills. (By the way, he's not in the bike biz himself - or he wasn't until he made this purchase - I think he's a heating contractor or something similar.)
01-12-15, 04:19 PM
#27
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All better now. And now my little OCD brain can quit fixating on the darned model paint!
One week of dry time before I call it a success.
01-13-15, 02:34 PM
#28
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Looks like a fantastic project! I am currently refurbishing a 1947 Hobbs of Barbican - Its great to see another of its 'relatives' gaining a new lease on life. Please keep us updated with photos!
01-13-15, 03:28 PM
#29
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Throw some photos up here if you have them, Skyshroud. It would be nice to gather more Hobbs reference here under a single roof. (Plus, I know we'd all like to drool over another Hobbs!)
01-13-15, 03:44 PM
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01-18-15, 12:08 PM
#31
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So here she is.
For now I have several parts in place (stem, bars, seat pin, cranks, etc.) that are not period correct. A few may never get replaced, but I'll be watching for the various correct pieces to fall into my lap (it happens!) and replace stuff as time and Lady Luck permit.
I've only pedaled her up and down the street a couple of times and need to adjust saddle height. It's a surprisingly nice day though, so I'll get in a real test ride before heading out on a much longer JRA on the Boulder.
For now I have several parts in place (stem, bars, seat pin, cranks, etc.) that are not period correct. A few may never get replaced, but I'll be watching for the various correct pieces to fall into my lap (it happens!) and replace stuff as time and Lady Luck permit.
I've only pedaled her up and down the street a couple of times and need to adjust saddle height. It's a surprisingly nice day though, so I'll get in a real test ride before heading out on a much longer JRA on the Boulder.
01-21-15, 01:57 PM
#32
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Ooooh. Almost missed this. Good to see it up and on the road. Such a lovely machine.
I am such a sucker for the post-WW2 lugged steel frames.
Can you decipher "... much longer JRA on the Boulder"?
I am such a sucker for the post-WW2 lugged steel frames.
Can you decipher "... much longer JRA on the Boulder"?
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1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
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1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
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1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
01-21-15, 02:41 PM
#33
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Sorry - I'm sometimes in my own little world, using invented language. "JRA" translates to "Just Ridin' Around." It's the concept of riding just to ride.
01-21-15, 02:49 PM
#34
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So here she is.
For now I have several parts in place (stem, bars, seat pin, cranks, etc.) that are not period correct. A few may never get replaced, but I'll be watching for the various correct pieces to fall into my lap (it happens!) and replace stuff as time and Lady Luck permit.
I've only pedaled her up and down the street a couple of times and need to adjust saddle height. It's a surprisingly nice day though, so I'll get in a real test ride before heading out on a much longer JRA on the Boulder.
For now I have several parts in place (stem, bars, seat pin, cranks, etc.) that are not period correct. A few may never get replaced, but I'll be watching for the various correct pieces to fall into my lap (it happens!) and replace stuff as time and Lady Luck permit.
I've only pedaled her up and down the street a couple of times and need to adjust saddle height. It's a surprisingly nice day though, so I'll get in a real test ride before heading out on a much longer JRA on the Boulder.
01-21-15, 03:26 PM
#35
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For now I have several parts in place (stem, bars, seat pin, cranks, etc.) that are not period correct. A few may never get replaced, but I'll be watching for the various correct pieces to fall into my lap (it happens!) and replace stuff as time and Lady Luck permit.
I've only pedaled her up and down the street a couple of times and need to adjust saddle height. It's a surprisingly nice day though, so I'll get in a real test ride before heading out on a much longer JRA on the Boulder.
01-21-15, 03:55 PM
#36
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That thing is lovely and classy.
Best wishes!
Best wishes!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
01-21-15, 03:57 PM
#37
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I only found your blog from this thread. It's a very nice read. I like your neighborhood, too. I'm originally from Kansas.
Now. Do I presume that ". . .on the Boulder." is a coded reference to the local mountain? Boulder = Big Rock = Mountain? This is a favored route?
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
01-21-15, 04:14 PM
#38
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Ah. Sums up perfectly my own notion for the best reason to ride, too.
I only found your blog from this thread. It's a very nice read. I like your neighborhood, too. I'm originally from Kansas.
Now. Do I presume that ". . .on the Boulder." is a coded reference to the local mountain? Boulder = Big Rock = Mountain? This is a favored route?
I only found your blog from this thread. It's a very nice read. I like your neighborhood, too. I'm originally from Kansas.
Now. Do I presume that ". . .on the Boulder." is a coded reference to the local mountain? Boulder = Big Rock = Mountain? This is a favored route?
photogravity, I do plan to add mud guards. I have an NOS pair of blue Bluemels, but I need to locate a set of fender stays to install them.
01-21-15, 04:22 PM
#39
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SKS or Planet Bike stays'll do the job nicely. I can't wait to see it with the Bluemels installed.
01-21-15, 06:27 PM
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No, modern stays are just fine with me actually. I've been simply too busy, too cheap, and too focused on the other aspects of the build to go out and locate a set. It'll happen. I've been saving these fenders for a worthy project and I think the Hobbs qualifies.
01-23-15, 08:41 PM
#41
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Last edited by AZORCH; 01-23-15 at 09:42 PM.
01-23-15, 09:12 PM
#42
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^^^ Nice shot. Even nicer bicycle! 
Last edited by photogravity; 01-27-15 at 06:40 AM. Reason: picture went wonky
01-24-15, 07:21 AM
#43
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It's pretty!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
01-24-15, 07:56 AM
#46
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This afternoon I'll be heading to the co-op to see if I can dredge up a set of fender stays. Barring that, I'll simply order a set of SKS stays so that I can install this NOS set of Bluemels Popular mudguards I've been saving for a worthy old Brit bike like this one.
But first, later this morning after the sun warms things up a tiny bit, I will be taking the old girl for a decent shakedown ride.
But first, later this morning after the sun warms things up a tiny bit, I will be taking the old girl for a decent shakedown ride.
01-24-15, 08:55 AM
#47
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Bravo Mark, you hit it perfectly with this mix of parts and patina. It's a very, very nice bike and the crank works, definitely. Can't wait to see it with the Bluemels.
01-24-15, 05:10 PM
#48
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Well, no luck at the co-op digging for fender stays...just means I'll have to actually spend some money and order a set. (It is a painful thing for this skinflint to admit defeat so handily.) I did take the Hobbs out to our downtown airport where locals ride in 6km circles. Weaving in and out of the carbon fiber crowd was a lot of fun and I was a little surprised to see that my lap speeds were averaging 26 to 30kph - not exactly TDF speeds, but not bad for a shakedown ride on an almost 70 year old bike either!
01-26-15, 04:38 PM
#49
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Mark
I collected it yesterday
serial number is a 1946 production
components identified so far
headset: Lytaloy
stem: Reynolds
handlebars: Reynolds Hiduminium in the Binda bend [identified after removing the bar tape]
levers: later Shimano [to be discarded] but the GB Hiduminium Standard cable adjusters intact, so it points to these as the original brake levers
brake calipers: GB Hiduminium front [stamped], rear GB stamped but missing the Hiduminium stamping
hubs: Chater Lea low flange, front 32H with axle grease nipple, rear 40H fixed/free
rims: Conloy Asp 26"
chainset: Williams with the chain ring having the AI markings of the 1946 production
pedal: Chater Lea
rear derailleur: later Huret [to be discarded]
saddle: Brooks B17 narrow
seat post: Reynolds Hiduminium domed
I collected it yesterday
serial number is a 1946 production
components identified so far
headset: Lytaloy
stem: Reynolds
handlebars: Reynolds Hiduminium in the Binda bend [identified after removing the bar tape]
levers: later Shimano [to be discarded] but the GB Hiduminium Standard cable adjusters intact, so it points to these as the original brake levers
brake calipers: GB Hiduminium front [stamped], rear GB stamped but missing the Hiduminium stamping
hubs: Chater Lea low flange, front 32H with axle grease nipple, rear 40H fixed/free
rims: Conloy Asp 26"
chainset: Williams with the chain ring having the AI markings of the 1946 production
pedal: Chater Lea
rear derailleur: later Huret [to be discarded]
saddle: Brooks B17 narrow
seat post: Reynolds Hiduminium domed
Last edited by Big Block; 02-04-15 at 04:16 PM. Reason: identified handlebar bend
01-26-15, 04:49 PM
#50
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Mark
I collected it yesterday
serial number is a 1946 production
components identified so far
headset: Lytaloy
stem: Reynolds
handlebars: yet to unwrap to identify
levers: later Shimano [to be discarded] but the GB Hiduminium Standard cable adjusters intact, so it points to these as the original brake levers
brake calipers: GB Hiduminium front [stamped], rear GB stamped but missing the Hiduminium stamping
hubs: Chater Lea low flange, front 32H with axle grease nipple, rear 40H fixed/free
rims: Conloy Asp 26"
chainset: Williams with the chain ring having the AI markings of the 1946 production
pedal: Chater Lea
rear derailleur: later Huret [to be discarded]
saddle: Brooks B17 narrow
I collected it yesterday
serial number is a 1946 production
components identified so far
headset: Lytaloy
stem: Reynolds
handlebars: yet to unwrap to identify
levers: later Shimano [to be discarded] but the GB Hiduminium Standard cable adjusters intact, so it points to these as the original brake levers
brake calipers: GB Hiduminium front [stamped], rear GB stamped but missing the Hiduminium stamping
hubs: Chater Lea low flange, front 32H with axle grease nipple, rear 40H fixed/free
rims: Conloy Asp 26"
chainset: Williams with the chain ring having the AI markings of the 1946 production
pedal: Chater Lea
rear derailleur: later Huret [to be discarded]
saddle: Brooks B17 narrow
