Help - Carlton bike, frame number D1206, possible mid '50's?

[justridecycles]

Yes will post some photos later on today. I am really looking forward to restoring this as a project.

 

[justridecycles]

Pictures of components

 

[Spokesmann]

The Handle bars and chainset look of the period as does the saddle, the Huret mech is clearly a later addition. Something like a Gransport of Cyclo Benenlux mech would be better here.

 

[justridecycles]

Once again thanks for all your help - I will keep an eye out for the rear mech. hopefully stripping the paint in the next day or two. It appears that the original colour (remains on the fork) was blue so I am going to try and match. I think that the lugwork may have been red (there are some remnants of red under the black). Not sure what to do - a simple one colour or two colours, but am really unsure about red and blue. Oh the dilemmas

 

[Spokesmann]

Lugs were possibly lined in red.

 

[justridecycles]

Started stripping paint and found that the frame was originally chrome. A lot of hard work to remove. Most of it gone. Would having a chrome frame assist with identification? Thanks

 

[Spokesmann]

Carlton's speciality was chromed frames, forks etc.

In the 1950s and 60s they produced the Constellation which was all chrome as well as the Catalina chrome too.

Here is my Constellation full chrome framed bike from 1958...

 

[justridecycles]

That looks so good. I was going to paint the frame myself but now thinking of chrome. Any idea how much rechroming costs?

 

[Spokesmann]

That looks so good. I was going to paint the frame myself but now thinking of chrome. Any idea how much rechroming costs?

Not really, but it isn't cheap. The finish is long lasting if care for. It looks stunning though.