Carlton Continental c1971/72

This was my first ever Carlton, bought for me by my dad back in 1976, second hand for the princely sum of £38. Its been upgraded over the years, but is essentially the same bike at heart. Ive fitted some new Imichrome decals today, which have replaced the very faded and worn originals. The frame is Tru-Wel high tensile steel, 21" and has the usual Crespera lugs. I've updated the gearing over the years and it currently has a 1985 Shimano chainset, 49/52 teeth, running a 6-speed freewheel block at the back with a 36 tooth large sprocket for the hills! I replaced the old Weinmann 730 side pulls some time ago for some better GB Synchrons. Bars and stem are the usual GB types found on many Carlton, Sun and Raleigh bikes in the 1970s.

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That's in fantastic condition!

That bike must hold some fantastic memories for you, do you still ride it much?

Yes still ridden, although its been out of use for the winter, need to get a wheel trued up and this one will be back in service for Spring.

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Beautiful and in what I thought was the best Carlton colour. It must be nice to still be its owner, unfortunately my first bike 'disappeared' somewhere down the line.

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Robbied196":so4tpse9 said:

Beautiful and in what I thought was the best Carlton colour. It must be nice to still be its owner, unfortunately my first bike 'disappeared' somewhere down the line.

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Yes a lovely colour, the machine here has a few knocks and scuffs but the paint is in pretty good nick considering I used this for school and for commuting as well as touring.

It is great to see your bike still in use after so many years. It has a look of being well cared for, and the original paint job is in great condition. I have a soft spot for Carltons, as my first lightweight bike was built up with a second-hand Carlton Connaught frame in 1963.

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My first proper bike was a Corsa, but it must have come in a smaller wheel size because I was only about 13. After that I bought a new Grand Prix. It was never as nice, but I rode it all over the place until it was stolen when I went to Uni in Newcastle in 1983. Ahh....

The Junior Corsa did come in a cut down 24" size.

I remember it had the comfiest saddle I've ever owned. If I'd known how much trouble I would have with saddles ever after I would have kept it.

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Wow.....that looks stunning. Wasn't expecting that.
The colour suits it so well, certainly done the old girl justice over the years.