1983 Wes Mason

otherself

GT Fan
Raleigh Fan
Feedback
View
I have been lusting after a 1980's period silver British Lightweight for a few years and when this frame came up on eBay in my size I couldn't resist. For £50 it was mine, there was only 1 other bidder. Frame is full Reynolds 531 double butted throughout with nice cutout Prugnat lugs, engraved seatstay ends and Campagnolo dropouts. It came with original 1983 Tange Levin chrome headset. This is my new winter/springtime bike. Wes Mason, a former professional rider in the 1960s, was one of the founders of the famous "MKM" brand (see: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Britis ... M_main.htm), he produced his own line of frames from about the year 1974 until about 1995. Wes, who I believe is still alive and well, would be about 75 years old now.

Was going to build it with period correct Shimano 600 or 105 Golden Arrow components, but I settled on the Suntour Sprint components from the year 1986, so still more or less period correct (+3 years). Sprint was just below the top end Superbe Pro but there isn't much in it really, Sprint is really light and looks fantastic. I have most components in place after 4 months of patient ebaying, just waiting on the brake calipers to arrive from USA before I build it all up. Can't wait to get this rolling :)

7365091460_6e3a508093_z.jpg


7179861865_b34fecedda_z.jpg


7365090202_1534e37708_z.jpg


7179863899_145a937dec_z.jpg


7179862693_c49bba3c31_z.jpg


7365110936_70fc35580c_z.jpg


7179882819_dac9e8234d_z.jpg


7179884937_1ae4fd9b2d_z.jpg


7365174546_bbc9430500_z.jpg
 
very tidy... liking this, look forward to seeing it built up....it will look quality... what bars/stem / saddle etc
 
toomski":1hxd43e5 said:
very tidy... liking this, look forward to seeing it built up....it will look quality... what bars/stem / saddle etc

Thanks for showing interest in my build.

Bars are NOS 3TT Grand Prix from the 90's, stem is a modern Zenith in silver http://velosolo.co.uk/zenstem.html

Brake levers are NOS late 80's Modolo with white hoods from a nice chap in Hungary http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MODOLO-BRAKE- ... 3cc6a40e80

Saddle is a charge Spoon in grey. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3053/2553 ... 8b6a_z.jpg

Handlebar tape is silver deda cork.
 
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
otherself":1zscqqx4 said:
legrandefromage":1zscqqx4 said:
nice! Reminds that I should get around to building my one up.

Thanks LGF. Do you have a Wes Mason?

Yes, its been in the shadows for years as a car boot find from pre RB days. Sadly its just a frame with no forks. I have been toying with it for some time but can never seem to find the right forks.
 
Nice :) I wonder if Wes Mason bought a job lot of that grey metallic paint....... BITD they all seemed to be that colour LOL

Shaun
 
Suntour Sprint brake calipers arrived today from the USA. I had to pay £12.70 VAT & Shipping and Handling fee on top of the £23.77 + £9.00 delivery I paid for them! But they are a really nice piece of kit.

7368818516_555239b640_z.jpg
 
That's nice, looking forward to seeing it complete. I remember Wes's shop in Harrogate, when did the Keighley address come into play? I reckon there might have been a link with Sid Barrass who had a Keighley shop and who possibly took over the Harrogate shop when Wes left it??

Wes is still around and living in North Wales. I met him again a year or two back at the Newport Nocturne race. No connection with the trade - or even cycling - these days.

BTW, have you registered the frame with the MKM website?

http://www.mkm-cycles.co.uk/
 
Old Ned":3rv7m02q said:
That's nice, looking forward to seeing it complete. I remember Wes's shop in Harrogate, when did the Keighley address come into play? I reckon there might have been a link with Sid Barrass who had a Keighley shop and who possibly took over the Harrogate shop when Wes left it??

Wes is still around and living in North Wales. I met him again a year or two back at the Newport Nocturne race. No connection with the trade - or even cycling - these days.

BTW, have you registered the frame with the MKM website?

http://www.mkm-cycles.co.uk/

Thanks for the info. Do you know when Wes stopped building frames? He learnt his trade at Carlton cycles, the latest Wes Mason frames I've seen were possibly late 80s early 90s.

No, not registered the frame... would they accept a Wes Mason?
 
Back
Top