Hetchins - going on eBay

[johhnyp]

I cleaned up the Hetchins, took the steerer out to record the frame number, checked the headset, put in the campag end adjuster screws with some assembly grease (threads are nice and clean), installed the tecalamit nipple on the bottom bracket and gave it another clean. There are some pics for anybody who is interested

http://tinyurl.com/36gr7qy

There is some pitting under the chrome work, but no rust (the pits have been chromed over) - you have to look closely to see it. My uncle didn't ask the restorer to fill in any indents, so there are also two little indents, one in each seatstay, from where dynamo earth screws have contacted the frame. They don't affect the integrity of the frame, and have been painted over so no rust issues, just a pity - but the frame is over 45 years old and was used as his winter bike for 30 years, so maybe that's just part of its history and I shouldn't be worried about it?

I think that it has polished up nicely, (especially as it has been sitting around in a garage for about 15 years). Now I have to tear myself to post it on eBay (bummer, since it is my size )

 

[Spokesmann]

Looks to be in first class order...

 

[stedlocks]

Ask if you could have it as payment in kind for shifting his lovely stuff!

They are a beautiful thing to ride......

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Please state on the ebay ad that anyone who wants to turn it into a fixie and chop the guides off it WILL die a slow and painful death.

 

[johhnyp]

After some research on the Hetchins.org website:

• The serial number confirms that it was built in 1963
  The model appears to be Mountain King, road version

 

[stedlocks]

If you email either len Ingram of the hetchins register, or flash, the editor of the website, they will tell you unequivocally, what it is......they are both very helpful and will reply quickly to your requests.....:0)

 

[johhnyp]

Thanks for the tip, Stedlock - I have written to Len as suggested.

 

[LeicaLad]

Just to whet my dreams.

What are the frame sizes of this bike and the Neil Orrell tourer?

In fact, are all the bikes the same size?

Such utter beauties!

Thanks!

Owen W

 

[johhnyp]

Hetchins: seat tube 22.5" C-T, top tube 22" C-C, rear forks 126mm
Condor Baracchi: seat tube 22.5" C-T, top tube 21" C-C rear forks 126mm (I have recently posted a couple of pics of this on http://tinyurl.com/3a2faom)

Holdsworths are both 24" and rear forks 126mm
I am now thinking about selling these two as complete bikes, rather than splitting them. The professional has mainly early dura ace which is right for its period, and it seems a shame to split it up. The other holdsworth has less interesting stuff on it.

Neil Orrells are both 60cm, rear forks 130mm
Tourer has 3 X 9 gearing
Racer has 2 x 10 gearing and has sprint wheels with Mavic CXP 30 rims. The drive train is Campag Daytona, with Chorus front mech and has never been used - you could eat your dinner off it! I have put a couple of photos up at http://tinyurl.com/368al6o which show some close-up detail of the seat stay and the lugs.
The Orrells are real beauties - I need to get around to cleaning them up and showing them at their best.

 

[johhnyp]

Well, I agonised over it and came to the conclusion that I couldn't arrive at a price which would be fair to the seller (my uncle) and the buyer, so I decided to take the coward's way out and let the market decide. It will appear on eBay, item 270634217471, start time Sunday 12th Sept 12:35

There are also details of this frame, viewable immediately, at http://tinyurl.com/3y8w4ka. (I am also slowly putting other bits of the collection which I am selling on this site).