Bike Forums - Old Classics

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especially the gitane-danderous w/o brakes

i looked at all of those earlier this afternoon...an unusually large crop.

and yes, that gitane is just too fine for words, to my eyes.

Let email all sellers that we will or I will work for a bike! I would love to have them in my stable.

S/F,
CEYA!

I can't believe how much people will pay for a Colnago. Don't get me wrong, it looks nice, but that's big money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by labratmatt

I can't believe how much people will pay for a Colnago. Don't get me wrong, it looks nice, but that's big money.

That is cheap for a bike like that selling . You should seen when it was selling back then, it may have been $1500.

S/F,
CEYA!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cicadashell

and yes, that gitane is just too fine for words, to my eyes.

Yeah, even down to the bar plugs.

I'm with labratmatt about that Welter though. Give it a good cleaning, new saddle and bars...

I like not feeling bad when I break something.

These are the next best thing to warm pie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan_c

I'm with labratmatt about that Welter though. Give it a good cleaning, new saddle and bars...

yes, the welter definitely has possibilities. in the cottered crank vein, though, i'm still reeling over this amadei. seven bills was just too much (that was the opening bid), but ooh la la, as the french (allegedly) say.

Quote:

Originally Posted by labratmatt

I can't believe how much people will pay for a Colnago. Don't get me wrong, it looks nice, but that's big money.

yea, but on this one you save the money for stripping and repainting the frame compared to the
new ones with those puke paintjobs ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceya

That is cheap for a bike like that selling . You should seen when it was selling back then, it may have been $1500.

S/F,
CEYA!

That Colnago sold for $910, not really that much for a complete ride, especially a Colnago. People are paying more than that for complete Surlys....

Dude that Masi is so damn cherry! with the CCCP decal and the USA and USSR flags! Damn, I wish so many things.

Milo

Curious---what key search terms does everyone use in ebay to narrow down the list to bikes with good fixed potential? I always feel like I'm missing something when I try to find something more specific than just "bike."

fixed gear, track, horizontal dropouts

track bike, track frame, are the 2 I use

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpayne

Chrome.

here is mine:

track (bike,bicycle,frame,frameset,fork)

you get a lot of motorcycles, and sometimes fishing lures, but hey.

I just search my frame size(s) and hit the "search items and descriptions", narrowing my search to cycling.

There was a 50's Urago track bike a while back I seriously lusted after, but it wasn't my size :(. I think the seller had it with a lowish buy it now, but nobody bought it whole so he broke it down and sold it that way.

A word of warning: check with the sellers re:shipping if nothing is listed. Just checked with the gitane seller, and he wants 120$ to ship the bike from Kansas to Virginia (about 40-75$ is right, depending on if a bike shop packs it or the seller does). 120$ is a bit on the pricey side, frankly.

Isn't any IF bike a classic? :) http://boston.craigslist.org/bik/49828682.html

Still, it'd be cooler with steeper angles.

I particularly like this one on e-buy:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7116009280

And this little number:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...116041554&rd=1

There are some really interesting bikes/frames on e-bay Italy and Germany
that don't always show up at US site.

marty

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...116101044&rd=1

AWESOME ! SOMEC Columbus Sl Frame! I miss mine ( I had 2) my cousins sold one and it was the best one of the two I had.

S/F,
CEYA!

holy crap 1932 Speedwell :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7116585444
http://i6.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/e7/1f/49_3.JPG

This auction is for a 1932ish Speedwell frame and matching fork. It includes the original headset and partly non-original but complete bottom bracket. For its age I consider it in excellent condition. Astounding in fact, and with some correct parts would be quite some show bike or collector’s pride and joy. One of Australia’s finest marques & perhaps as good as any produced from a similar era. This one’s more than good enough to ride and whilst it's not perfect but it is offered for $9.99 and with no reserve.

I have asked from esteemed collectors, builders that are knowledgeable of the era and what references I have been able to find both on the web and from historical groups such as the Canberra Bicycle Museum, for verification and dating. In short the consensus is that it definitely dates no later than 1934, is most probably from 1932 and might even be from a slightly earlier period. All were unanimous in recognizing that it was genuinely a Speedwell from that era and that it is indeed rare to find one with an all chrome finish and in such good condition that hasn’t had the patina or charm of originality lost to restoration. And I’ve been riding it ;)

Specifics - Condition:

* serial # on both the frame & fork steerer is G 36901, one rear end is stamped Y5543
* Seat tube measures 53.5cm c-c, top tube measures 58cm c-c (or 21 x 22.5 in ye old school)
* Seat tube is 26.6mm diameter post, space between rear ends is 112mm and between fork dropouts is 92mm.

I point out the exact condition so you know what your bidding for and I have looked it over thoroughly so you don’t have to sweat over ambiguity; I’m a tough judge. The chrome work would put any Italian frame 50 years it’s junior to shame. It shows no signs of lifting, is smooth and still has plenty of luster but has areas of pitting or small spots that would respond well to a good clean and proper polish. See the pics. There is no paint or decals but the downtube has a shadow of where the letters Speedwell once were – hard to show on camera but visible in a photo below. Small traces of paint remain along the lugs from where it would have been hand lined.

It's unclear whether the tubing is Reynolds or Accles & Pollock. All lugs are sound and securely brazed, the insides have evidently been oiled/treated but there is some light surface rust; clean and treat with your favorite stuff. I can’t see any real rust or portion/s that needs replacing (neither can any frame builder or restorer). It is sound. The only bobble on the frame is a slight crimp on the seat tube, about 6 inches below the seat tube lug, obviously from an inexperienced mechanic who clamped it in a work stand, the depressions are very slight and shown in pictures below. Too small to affect the tube integrity and easily rolled out by a competent frame builder with the right clamps, but, to not risk marring the chrome it has been suggested (got access to a lathe?) to oil up and tap through a 26.6mm hard wood dowel (or alloy), if you have a long 26.6mm seat post then it’s easily remedied and put straight. Otherwise all tubes are straight and with no dings or scrapes.

Unfortunately, the channels on the rear ends have been brazed in, I guess so somebody could use a rear hub/axle without the correct axle spacer sleeve. As evident below it has taken away the chrome and doesn’t look so pretty. The track ends are however sound and solid and a steady hand with a dremel and file would be needed to bring it back to original.

The fork crown has been drilled but is to my eye slightly off centre and the rear seat stay bridge is untouched. The bottom bracket shell still has the original oiler spout/hole – yes, it’s head still flips and can be unthreaded as well. The original headset with internal cups is in place, with very little wear to the races but the fork crown race has a hairline crack in it. I left it in place so not to spread it and with bearings and grease in place I have ridden it with no signs of indexing or sticking. The bottom bracket is the correct width and for cranks with cotter pins. On the axle, cups and lockring I see Brambton, Zeus and ? – it rolls well and is solid.

The fork steerer is with good threads, solid and with only a slight bulge from overtightening a stem. The base of the steerer has an oval stamp with the letters A & P … B.S.T … 9/16". The fork dropouts are wonderful and perhaps my favorite part next to the blades which start out round then end distinctly oval. The seat post binder tabs are fine (need to be opened slightly) and the seat post tube is in good condition with no sign of heavy scratching or signs of having had a stuck post. I had taken this frame to Jack Walsh as he would have ridden a Speedwell of this era before riding for Malvern Star and he spent a good while looking it over, studying it’s details, and making private observations. He nodded a few times, looked me in the eye with a poker straight face and claimed “Geez, them things were heavy!” If you know Jack …

I wish to add as one of you have asked, this is not Titanium, nor comes from England (they were a different and much later Speedwell). Titanium is nice but this is far more exotic (nowdays) ..... Lugged Steel! For more info on Aussie Speedwell's click the link Here !

Check the detailed pics below and know that if you have interest what you are bidding for is authentic and accurately described. If it grabs you by the proverbials then bid high as it is indeed a nice example and from the minds of many who know a thing of two about Speedwells and classic bikes of this era, it may be unlikely to find another in such original condition with an all chrome finish, so lustrous. I have taken it to the Dunc Gray Olympic Velodrome to compare with Dunc’s glass encased bike and sure I’m biased but this one’s nicer and in far better condition. Alas I know not if it’s had any significant history and it found it’s way into my hands with nice but not period correct parts – I’m offering it on to fund other projects. What do you really want for Christmas?

damn. someone seriously made off with that one. i woulda bid too. just my size. seller seems like an idiot though. frame could be ruined or something. that crankset looks like campy too. fuuuuuuuuuuuck. :(