Carlton Identify? - domed seatstays & square eylets

[COUPES]

Re:

Beat me to it Shaun. Head tubes with swaged out ends to take bearing races and a headclip, headset were used up to the 1950s. Way before my time but seem to collect them now. Still alchemy how they work haha.

 

[COUPES]

Re:

Just looking at the frame number stamping and 41 stamped, number punched, over the 2 and 9 I would guess its a 1941 frame.

 

[cycletothesea]

Well, it obviously has a better heritage than I'd assumed. Trouble is, now I can't help thinking about putting it back to gears and period parts. It was just supposed to be a run-around for work. Although it's had a respray at some point and also has had the modern decals attached under a lacquer coat.

Spokesmann will be livid that it's been turned to a fixie!

 

[OldTel]

Re:

Hi, if you assume that's a 'A' at the start of the serial number ( the fork should have it as well ), that would place it in 1939, my 39 flyer is A6352, I think the 41 may just be a 'painters' stamp, or a warranty fix by Carlton, just a few thoughts. Also, 'fixies' have been about since Victorian times so its not an issue, I'll be doing my flyer as a period time trail bike which will be fixed. Terry

 

[cycletothesea]

Thanks for all the help. I'll go provisionally with somewhere between 1939-1941, although what model it was will take some further homework. I've just discovered 1930 and 1940's Carlton catalogues online which make interesting reading. A lot of models from Flyer to Royal Sports which could fit the bill.

However, does anybody know about fitting mudguards using these eyelets. Do I just cut down some normal stays to fit?

 

[COUPES]

Re:

Hard to tell from the 1939 catalogue but looking at the fork crown detail on 1939 models. It could be a Massed start, "73" or Continental model?
Keep it fixed or if you wanted to go the resto route a 3 speed hub or gears.

 

[COUPES]

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Yes you can cut down the stays and the small bolts have holes in that clamp them. Eyelets on the frame.

 

[keithglos]

Re:

I Don't know why, but I keep thinking Hercules, but the frame number looks wrong. Perhaps early post war. The D to round fork blades, lack of any finishing to the lugs, crude rear ends, something like the sort of thing hercules did as a "lightweight", and sold very few.
The mudguard eyes were for the Bluemels quick release type wingnut fitting with a flattened head on the bolt, so that it only had to be undone about 2 turns and would slide out. Popular late 30s to early 50s.

The seat stays to seat lug would be typical though.

Keith

 

[cycletothesea]

Don't know about any of that Keith. Looks like bang-on early Carlton frame as far as I can see. Had a look at some early 40/50s catalogues and it's an absolute dead ringer. Any reason why you think it isn't?

 

[keithglos]

Did Carlton do those domed seat stays, also the very cheap type inserted cups in the head lugs. Are the fork blades D to round, in the very cheap fork crown. I thought it looked like it in the pics.
Keith