NOS Bill Boston
08-19-22, 04:50 PM
#1
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NOS Bill Boston
Seeking Information about a very unusual tandem that came here to the shop recently & We are unsure about the best course of action. I'll let the pictures do the talking.
IMG_E0399 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
IMG_E0400 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
IMG_E0401 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
IMG_E0402 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
IMG_E0404 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
IMG_E0405 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
IMG_E0406 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
IMG_E0407 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr
We'd (I'd) like to build it up with probably Suntour bar-end shifters & period correct-ish derailleurs, a 5 or 6 speed-ish freewheel on the 140mm axle.
From there, we're (me) not even sure how to value it. It does appear to be NOS &/or to have never been built up & ridden.
Any input, knowledge, know-how or advice is appreciated.
base2
IMG_E0399 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrIMG_E0400 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrIMG_E0401 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrIMG_E0402 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrIMG_E0404 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrIMG_E0405 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrIMG_E0406 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrIMG_E0407 by Richard Mozzarella, on FlickrWe'd (I'd) like to build it up with probably Suntour bar-end shifters & period correct-ish derailleurs, a 5 or 6 speed-ish freewheel on the 140mm axle.
From there, we're (me) not even sure how to value it. It does appear to be NOS &/or to have never been built up & ridden.
Any input, knowledge, know-how or advice is appreciated.
base2
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08-21-22, 11:00 AM
#2
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Most of it looks very clean. The chain rings and wheel rims show wear and the handle bars have been tapped. It may have been ridden before or maybe it’s a new frame that was in the process of picking up parts. Either way building it up as you propose would be a great way to bring this one back.
I have never seen a hub brake like that before. Do you know anything about it?
I have never seen a hub brake like that before. Do you know anything about it?
08-21-22, 11:21 AM
#3
Doesn't brain good.
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Alcanbrad Other than it is a Phil brake & a 48 spoke Phil freewheel hub (140 OLD) I don't know anything about it. Though I'm sure when/if I try to build it up I'll probably find it's missing some critical bit made of unobtanium 
And you're right the chainrings do show some use & there is a spot of grease in all the various threaded holes. So it must've been built up at some point. But there isn't any evidence of use, wear & tear, or scratches, abrasions, etc...Upon further inspection maybe I mis-spoke with "New Old Stock" but it may as well be.
It's way too small for me & my stoker, else I'd have snatched it up already. For a captain 5 foot 6 to 5 foot 8 I'm sure this bike would be a dandy.
And you're right the chainrings do show some use & there is a spot of grease in all the various threaded holes. So it must've been built up at some point. But there isn't any evidence of use, wear & tear, or scratches, abrasions, etc...Upon further inspection maybe I mis-spoke with "New Old Stock" but it may as well be.
It's way too small for me & my stoker, else I'd have snatched it up already. For a captain 5 foot 6 to 5 foot 8 I'm sure this bike would be a dandy.
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I shouldn't have to "make myself more visible;" Drivers should just stop running people over.
Car dependency is a tax.
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Car dependency is a tax.
08-23-22, 01:33 PM
#4
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That's a Phil Wood disc brake from the 1970s -- they are cool, but are fragile, can shatter in use, and the disc is made from asbestos -- it is quite cool, but should NOT be used as a brake other than as a parking brake for display.
The Bill Boston tandem you have is really neat, but old, neato tandems have a very limited market.
That's from a semi-legendary builder, and has some fantastic details, so who knows...
The Bill Boston tandem you have is really neat, but old, neato tandems have a very limited market.
That's from a semi-legendary builder, and has some fantastic details, so who knows...
02-10-23, 07:20 AM
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Don't know if you have finished the project yet. Bill Boston built our tandem in 1986 which was his last tandem that is very similar to yours. Our has over 50K touring miles and we have ad it completely refurbished by Stephen Bilenky in Philadelphia. It is definitely not fragile as we are still touring on this tandem heavily loaded with confidence. It is true the rear Phil Wood brake does contain asbestos but could be used as a drag brake but I would not recommend it as the primary brake. Our tandem came with front and rear Phil brakes and they worked great,but had reliability issues so we have retired the brakes. We did change out the rear Phil Hub for a Phil 8-9 speed cassette hub with a rear Arai brake as the drag brake. I have a number of vintage parts, including a new replacement disk for the rear Phil Hub if you are interested in continuing with this brake.
Steven Krusemark, Newburyport, MA
Steven Krusemark, Newburyport, MA
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