Classic Orbit cycles etc

Hi everyone,

(I originally posted this in the 'All things Orbit' thread as that seemed the most appropriate place - until I realised it was in the 'Retro MTB's' board, which didn't seem the right place after all. Cheers)

I'm currently in the market for a Gold Medal - we have one in the family already that was bought brand new in the mid-80s and I'd like to get a stablemate for it.

Wondered if anyone could give me an idea of when the 'Orbit' transfers / decals changed from the original script / handwritten style to the more modern and flamboyant upper case font. (The 'Gold Medal' name remained in the old font).

I'm guessing it must have been somewhere between '85 and '88, as the 1988 Orbit catalogue features the new font. But if anyone could put a year on it I'd be very interested to know.

I'm, ideally, after a bike in the older style, but they're not that easy to come by.

Cheers!
Shrubby

Currently 5 to choose from on ebay

Re:

Hi, yeah thanks, seen those...

There's one pretty nice one there, though even that doesn't have the older decal style I'm holding out for. Oh, and I was hoping to get one in Orbit's famous Kingfisher Blue.

I know - I don't want much!

This may be a one-off fault but my brother has an Orbit Gold Medal that he bought new in the late '80s, but it has recently had to be scrapped due to a complete fracture of the down tube. A metallurgy specialist that we know (oxford University materials technology dept) suspected too high brazing temp, which weakens the metal. The frame had never been crashed, is always garaged, and is otherwise in good order. In short, it shouldn't have broken - I regularly ride and tour on much older frames.

Personally, I would be wary of buying one.

Re:

Hi, yeah I’ve heard reports about this - and seen the alarming pictures!
But it still seems rare and I’d only be using it for light use. I just wonder if there’s any way of detecting this kind of weakness before the frame snaps in half...?