Early Thanet Frameset VERY RARE!

Two sets of numbers are stamped on the bb shell:

252

1660

And one on the steerer tube

252

Thanks again

Hi, if I was you I would take my time, don't rush into any decisions. You have a very very very rare bicycle frame which you will never get a chance of having again. It has a maximum price, which could be found on ebay with a worldwide audience, I'm sure an oversea's collector would pay well ( yet another rare british frame leaves the country ! ) but I'm sure the regrets could last longer than the money. Just some thoughts and at the end of the day, do what is right for you. Terry

Agree with Tel here, but restoration is best left to an expert. These were fairly ordinary lightweght frames of their time, probably silver brazed, and likely built for 26 inch wheels.
Mostly sold to gentle tourists, not racers.
The Silverlight (the other one) is the heap of rubbish that is known to fetch up to £1500 for a frame, but not to be ridden.
I can't find frame number data, I can't remember whether Les combined the numbers of both types, which would explain the 2 numbers, so it could be 1950 ish.
The seat stay fixing was quite common among a number of builders at the time. The Silverlight was joined by a 1/4 inch tube brazed right through at the chain stays and seat stays. I still have 2 of the Dormer drills that were used.

Whilst I agree with you Tel, it's just too specialist for me and I just simply don't like it enough to invest the time and money it needs/deserves. With that in mind, it's going up for sale and will hopefully be enjoyed by its new owner much much more than I'd ever would.

Once again, thanks sooooo much for your help Keith.

The hunt for a classic continues! Hopefully I will find something a bit more 'normal' next time! Haha

Bristol":26fq1l90 said:

Whilst I agree with you Tel, it's just too specialist for me and I just simply don't like it enough to invest the time and money it needs/deserves. With that in mind, it's going up for sale and will hopefully be enjoyed by its new owner much much more than I'd ever would.

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I think that the most important thing would be how much you might use/enjoy the bike. Though having said that, some seem to prefer the process of restoring an older frame, to actually riding the finished result.

To get the very best price, I'd bung it on Ebay (worldwide); from the money that you receive, you should easily be able to afford something that will better suit your needs.

Keith, slightly of topic, but I've just seen a photo of Gary Crewe in his amateur days riding a Thanet. One of yours?

One of my friends has a Silverthan which he has restored and rides. He's also a member here and has a copy of Hilary Stone's book on the history of Thanet Cycles.

This Silverlight (which must have cost an arm and a leg to restore) was on display at this year's Classic Show. The triple triangle and 'inset' BB show clearly.

Note also the unusual 'Waller' frame next to it.

legrandefromage":29w9sco1 said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Thanet-Silverthan-Silverlight-English-Frame-1950s-RARE-/150625636285?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2311fccfbd&clk_rvr_id=244558506066#ht_1672wt_1139

Click to expand...

Sorry, but why say it could be a Silverlight when it is positively 100% that it isn't?

Old Ned":1jh6jcrn said:

Keith, slightly of topic, but I've just seen a photo of Gary Crewe in his amateur days riding a Thanet. One of yours?

One of my friends has a Silverthan which he has restored and rides. He's also a member here and has a copy of Hilary Stone's book on the history of Thanet Cycles.

This Silverlight (which must have cost an arm and a leg to restore) was on display at this year's Classic Show. The triple triangle and 'inset' BB show clearly.

Note also the unusual 'Waller' frame next to it.

Click to expand...

Paul, Gary's would have been badged, after I left, could have been any decent make.
I still say the Silverlight (not very light) was rubbish. Never used by racers, the 1 inch tubes very under specified.
The frame here is clearly a Silverthan, but all the "lugwork" of both models has pressed "T"'s brazed on, not part of the lugs.

Well, it fetched £807. A lot of late snipe bidding. This is where I think eBay should look after the interests of the seller, who is paying them. If an auction has a bid in the last minute the time should be extended. There could have been several other bids which didn't have time to register.

Anyway, ridiculous money.