Possible Reynolds 753 Bike ? *Updated* Pic of Silver solder

Finally had the chance to see both specialists.

First one believes it is a 753 frame due to the sound of the frame when you ping it.

Second one believes its a 653 frame as mentioned before the warranty would have been void if the frame was chromed.

In the next couple of weeks its being booked in to have the bottom bracket removed to check for silver solder inside the frame.

Fingers crossed

*Update*

Bike was recently booked into a local specialist for new handle bar tape and tyres.

I did ask the shop to remove the bottom bracket to check for silver solder. After a week I went to pick up the bike and the shop confirmed they did not take off the bottom bracket as the chainset was ceased on and did not want to damage it.

Took the bike to my other mate who has all the campagnolo drenched bikes and we got the bottom bracket off.

Pic below showing the silver solder.

Still sceptical about the provenance of this frame, as I've said previously chroming 753 is a no-no, the tubes are thin enough as it is without subjecting them to an aggressive dip in a chroming tank - if you understand the process you'll know what I mean.

Also, it was not unknown for builders to construct frames from 753 maintubes and 531 stays and forks - and apply the 753 sticker.

How many frames have we seen on here that aren't what they purport to be? I've seen several.

You like it that's fine.

Roadking.

P.S bike shop"experts", not many of those around these days.

yup, i have never seen a TANGE bb shell on any road frame, let alone a 753. doesn't mean to say that a smaller frame bulder who had one kicking around wouldn't have soldered it into a set of 753 tubes mind you!

as mentioned previously, the sound given off of 753 tubes is quite distinctive so unless you can put a recording up of the noise it makes then the ball is in your court to decide "is she, or isn't she?!"



chroming of 753 was a later creation - up until the late 80s no one would consider chroming it as it's too thin. i know that cougar did it and guaranteed it and was a beautiful finish. i got my old raleigh services des courses 753 resprayed and chromed around this time (SACRELEGE!!) and never had any bother with it. it was eventually pot holed by a skinny friend of mine and the down tube cracked at the head tube - no chroming up there!

anyway, for those of you who are too young to remember..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzbvqW_dOwY

and just because this made me howl with laughter..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tShArz5J ... re=related[/i]

yup, spot on - raleigh wouldn't entertain it at all. they could barely cope with the idea of a multi coloured paint job never mind chroming a "waffer-theeen" frame!!

we had a complete arsehole of a customer - a regular who tortured us poor sales folk - he was the most pedantic creature that ever walked this earth. i persuaded him to get a 753 services des courses much to my boss's annoyance as he had an abundance of frames hanging around his monstrous place that would have suited any "normal" customer. they had just made an awesome panasonic frame for me and the manager and they were immaculately constructed and finished. mr pedantic wasn't interesetd in "advertising" and instead insisted on a GRUESOME colour scheme of mainly white with BLACK, OLIVE GREEN AND MUSTARD YELLOW stripes on his cantilever bossed monstrosity!! it has to be said that it largely matched his smile and one would always deal with him well outside the comfort zone for fear of catching something belonging to the world war one trenches.

anyway, i digress...the frame arrived a few weeks late and said customer was already making bi-daily phone calls to the shop to find out where his frame had got to. when it arrived we all WHITE-IED at the colour scheme and more so at the finish around the horrible reptilian stripes around this otherwise beautifully made frame! it looked like the painter had used duck tape instead of masking tape and the edges of the stripes were all "feathered" and looked like stevie wonder had performed the task! needless to say that we were all SHITTING BRICKS awaiting this maniac's inspection of his new SBDU frame!!

he came. he saw. he blew a F"*KING fuse!!! we returned that frame two or three times for repainting and they couldn't improve on stevie's job. he eventually settled for a partial refund and a stock italian frame from the ceiling.

i look into the mirror sometimes and wonder where the lines in my face came from. it's moments of reflection like THIS that remind me!!!

:cry:

Thanks for the help and further advice on this.

Like a classic Ferrari, I just want to know that its 100% Genuine and not a concoction of left over parts from a corner of a workshop.

I know I got the bike cheap considering the chainset is worth nearly the same on its own. Just worst case scenario and I have to sell the bike, I would like to know that its the genuine article or not.

Silver Fox Baz":3ajs1vf0 said:

I would like to know that its the genuine article or not.

Click to expand...

I've been here myself, its easy to become obsessed trying to prove something because you believe there should be a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Unfortunately, a bikes provenance or authenticity can be a very grey area. Especially when components are really meaningless and the frame has been resprayed.

I think you have a good quality frame, although finding the builder would be the ultimate needle in a haystack. The best hope is a general consensus on whether it's Reynolds 753, but you seem to have a split decision so far as that goes.

All I can suggest is finding a genuine 753 frame and having a 'ping off' Not sure it would count as proof but it would be another nod in the right direction.

Other than that I'd accept it for what it appears to be and enjoy the ride.

Robbied196":1pqsbegw said:

Silver Fox Baz":1pqsbegw said:

I would like to know that its the genuine article or not.

Click to expand...

All I can suggest is finding a genuine 753 frame and having a 'ping off' Not sure it would count as proof but it would be another nod in the right direction.

Click to expand...

LOL @ Ping Off

Compared to my 531 Ellis Briggs it has a unique Ping to it, which I can only put down to thinner tubing being used.

I've only been out on the bike twice since ownership. Cycled 1 mile down the road the other Sunday, to see the 'Tour of Britain' go past in Lowestoft and got knocked off by a granny in a Fiat 500, after she did not see me come up the inside of her in slow traffic and she closed the door on me. I had know where to go and could not unclip in time and fell on the grassy verge still attached

'Wiggo' seemed to like my bike when he went past