I've just completed a full renovation of my Arthur Caygill 653 from 1991. I wanted to get it finished for its 20th 'birthday', but have missed out by a few days. I ordered it, made to measure, on 25/10/1991, or so the date on the original receipt says. I collected it on 20/12/1991, according to the same receipt (which I still have after all these years!). It served me well for several seasons, had a repaint in 1997 as a Brian Rourke, and a year or so later when I moved away it was put away in the loft, but not forgotten!
Earlier this year, a friend found an almost NOS Gios, and started building it up with NOS Campagnolo bits (mostly Croce d'Aune I think). That sparked my interest for doing a retro build, and I remembered my old frame. When I got home in July this year I took it down to Bob Jackson's in Leeds for a full respray. Six weeks later, it arrived on my doorstep here in Spain, restored to it's former glory. The build has taken me a long time, as I've tried to use parts that are from the same period as the frame. It has a real mix of parts, because I've tried to use those parts that I longed for back in the day but couldn't afford - the best, most beautiful part (in my opinion!) for the job in each case. I've finally finished, but it's absolutely chucking it down today, so I haven't been out for a ride, and I can't take it out and take photos either!
So I'll just post a scan of the original order form, as I still have that too! When it stops raining, I'll take some photos!
Andy
Earlier this year, a friend found an almost NOS Gios, and started building it up with NOS Campagnolo bits (mostly Croce d'Aune I think). That sparked my interest for doing a retro build, and I remembered my old frame. When I got home in July this year I took it down to Bob Jackson's in Leeds for a full respray. Six weeks later, it arrived on my doorstep here in Spain, restored to it's former glory. The build has taken me a long time, as I've tried to use parts that are from the same period as the frame. It has a real mix of parts, because I've tried to use those parts that I longed for back in the day but couldn't afford - the best, most beautiful part (in my opinion!) for the job in each case. I've finally finished, but it's absolutely chucking it down today, so I haven't been out for a ride, and I can't take it out and take photos either!
So I'll just post a scan of the original order form, as I still have that too! When it stops raining, I'll take some photos!
Andy