Bates road bike 50 years old

Hi everyone, Forgive me as a new visitor to this forum.
I hope someone out there may help or be interested in an old bike found in my sister- in -laws garage.

It is marked as Bates with Reynolds light tube frame.Its stamped R1190 3/4 4601
Someone suggested that some 50 years ago it was quiet a sought after bike.
Any thoughts anyone? is it worth anything to anyone?

Photo available but too large for your forum

Geordievette (Newcastle owner of a 1976 corvette)

Welcome to the forum. There were 2 Bates's, EG and H.

Have a look at this, it will explain.

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bu ... bates.html

Can you tell which one yours is?

Can you reduce the photo size in any way?

I have done my best to attach photos that show the Bates well

Hi, lovely old Bates, I would guess late forties from this distance ( Early GB brakes, Clip type headset ), certainly needs restoring but not a problem. Any number of collectors would love this make ( excellent builder ) and model ( would need investigating, but its the unique fork thats the selling point ) so it has a value if you are selling. Terry

That's definitely an HE Bates with the Diadrant forks.

Ripe for restoration. I'll give you a fiver for it

OK, we know what it is. If the chrome is original, very late 40's.
Did the owner change from a club time trialist to a league road man in 1950? The south of france bars were a road man fashion 50 to 51, being a parody of the genuine "azurean". Made it easy to distinguish a genuine road man from a time triallist. We thought that if we adopted the right position we could climb like Rene Vietto, or Apo Lazarides. (look them up)
Could be a bit difficult to fit a suitable front changer.

Very interesting, look forward to seeing more!

Can someone give me an idea of how collectible this Bates may be.
The next time I visit my relative in Norfolk I wIl have to bring it back to Newcastle .
I need to know if it would be worthwhile. What ball - park value may it have?

Id say very collectable to an English cycle collector. The diadrant forks make them very appealing.

That's stunning. New chain, brake blocks and tyres, free-off and grease the bearings. Roll it as it is.