The Welsh Argos

[Nob]

Having raced against this Welsh Legend (Derek Rogers) & seen his stunning machine back in 81 & loved the way it looked I had an urge to try to replicate it as trying to track down the original frame prooved fruitless as I had word back that Derek had sold the frame long ago. Those that knew Derek in this period knew he rode to events using a motorcycle & my memory of seeing him on a Honda CBX500 rings a bell. At this time he won many TTevents on Welsh & west courses just across the Severn bridge. Derek was a gentleman & always had time for a talk usually after the event as he was pretty much focused on his preparation & ride ahead of the timekeepers countdown.
So below is an iconic picture of Derek on the machine I was going to make a tribute for.

 

[Nob]

The machine was built by Argos & was a fixed based machine for a couple of years as Derek did get it converted to gears but preened never happy with gears. From when I knew him he raced on a huge 128” gear of a 57x12. He wanted an aero look so chose a full set of Columbus Air Mk.1 tubing set. So I knew in the current age this was going to be extremely hard to track down!!
But a project of this nature you have to be patient & luckily for me earlier this year a set came up & grabbed it straight away regardless of price as I know just how rare these things truly are.

 

[Nob]

Derek tried gears but didn’t really work for him in that period of his racing

 

[Lucidone]

Awesome project - tuned in!

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

@Frankenorange

 

[foz]

looking forward to this!

 

[velofrog]

Consider my interest piqued!

 

[Nob]

The project started back in February 2021 & I met up with the original frame builder Garry Needham son of the founder of Argos Arthur who I also met back in 80 & both are extremely knowledgeable on frame building etc.. I met Garry a couple of times to discuss the build & he found the original drawings & plans with Derek’s special requests so this replica frame was going to be an exact clone to the original having found a full set up the tubing.
Never seen before drawing made up by Derek himself when he discussed his requirements with Garry at Argos below

 

[Nob]

The frame taking shape

 

[grantoury]

Great project!