A guarded view of Eddie Soens
- Thread starter chickendrumsticks
- Start date
chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
Re:
A little bit of background. Bought from a lady who inherited the frame from her dad in the 70s. He'd originally bought it (at a race meeting) from Pete Matthews who took over Jimmy Soens' shop when Jimmy retired (brother of Eddie). Although Eddie had a shop and sold his bikes from there (all built by his son Bill) but he is probably better remembered as a coach who turned out some seriously quick riders.
Originally in a light metallic blue, it was a bit the worse for wear when she got it. It was resprayed (she thinks at a Birmingham car works) in the mid 70s! Hence the horrible (IMHO) orange. From a British Leyland paint colour chart I found on the marvellous interweb it closely matches a colour "Topaz" used by BL as a Triumph colour between 73 and 75. Strangely enough I owned a Spitfire in the same colour, until its rear end twitchiness got too much (and a family was on the way...). The bike was built up with parts supplied by Swinnertons of Stoke, her LBS at the time.
It has undergone a few changes since. I'll post some detail on it's spec for those of you who can stay awake. It's now in bits and the frame has gone off (not alone - I took it) for refinishing. Graphite grey (RAL 7024) all over, with possibly white panels on seat tube and head tube in the future depending on funds available. All decals still available from hlloyds.
A little bit of background. Bought from a lady who inherited the frame from her dad in the 70s. He'd originally bought it (at a race meeting) from Pete Matthews who took over Jimmy Soens' shop when Jimmy retired (brother of Eddie). Although Eddie had a shop and sold his bikes from there (all built by his son Bill) but he is probably better remembered as a coach who turned out some seriously quick riders.
Originally in a light metallic blue, it was a bit the worse for wear when she got it. It was resprayed (she thinks at a Birmingham car works) in the mid 70s! Hence the horrible (IMHO) orange. From a British Leyland paint colour chart I found on the marvellous interweb it closely matches a colour "Topaz" used by BL as a Triumph colour between 73 and 75. Strangely enough I owned a Spitfire in the same colour, until its rear end twitchiness got too much (and a family was on the way...). The bike was built up with parts supplied by Swinnertons of Stoke, her LBS at the time.
It has undergone a few changes since. I'll post some detail on it's spec for those of you who can stay awake. It's now in bits and the frame has gone off (not alone - I took it) for refinishing. Graphite grey (RAL 7024) all over, with possibly white panels on seat tube and head tube in the future depending on funds available. All decals still available from hlloyds.
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chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
metallic grey is a good choice, MKM style
chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
