Recent content by frances1966

Hi I'm looking for a few things to finnish my bike I need some mafac brake leavers and 2 Campagnolo chain rings a 42 tooth and a 52 tooth 144 BCD. I'm also looking for some GB handle bars.. the type with swirly engraving on. Any help much appreciated. Cheers Frances

Thanks very much for your help, I will definitely looking in Youngs of Lewisham, the lugs on the one on Classic Lightweights do look quite close. I think the bike is probably early/mid 50s, it does have a grease port on the bottom bracket. The seat cluster is quite similar to my 1954 Mercian.

Thanks that's very interesting. Perhaps if the owner was in in South London then it came from a South London builder. The post code is Norbury nr Croydon.

Hi Does anyone have an idea what this bike might be? Serial number seems to be SW16 4 UZ154 just above this number is an upside down 744 (hard to see in photo) The lugs are a little like a Gillot Fleur de Lis - but not quite close enough. It seems to be really well made and is light, I think it...

Hi I just wondered if anyone knows anything about this marque? My boyfriend is doing up and old 1930s/40s frame and we are trying to identify it. I has the number P4233 on the seat lug. We were told it was an Evans but it doesn't have Evans drops outs. Apparently Ellis Champion also put...

Thanks I was looking at Evans Insurance rather than getting it put on my house insurance. However the question and answer below is in their FAQ. The problem is that my bike is nearly 60 yrs old!!! I'm imagining that most insurers have similar policies. 2) My bicycle isn't brand new - is...

Hi I've just spent a lot of money doing up an old Mercian had it repainted and repaired and bought suitable vintage parts for it. I want to get it insured but reading the small print on insurers websites it seems they only really insure new bikes £ for £ and as soon as its over 3 yrs old your...

From what I can see someone has just put various components on to make it ride-able, eg 70s/80s Weinmann breaks and suicide levers, a sturmey hub etc (though that could be original I suppose?) The Chater-lea bottom bracket has the name (as you said) cast into the shell. I guess we will know...

Hi Keith Thanks for replying we have now bought the bike. Here is the ebay link, need to scroll down a bit to see it. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1940s ... 43a96d0f77 It is listed as a Chater Lea bike but we think it might just be the BB casing that is CL. Any thoughts on what the...

Hi I'm looking at a bike that the seller says is from from the 1940s - it has a 'Chater- Lea' stamped under the bottom bracket lug. I know that Chater Lea made good quality components, does anyone know anything about Chater Lea tubing or what this bike could be? Is it likely to be of good...

Thanks for letting me know that, they certainly look cheaper.

Possibly - but I'd really like to keep it simple. I was really thinking of just having 5 gears.

Thanks very much I'm definitely looking for a bike to ride rather than a show piece, any recommendations for decent gears than will fit 120mm dropouts ?

Thanks I've noticed later 'Nuovo' Gran Sport Derailleur and they seem to be cheaper.. I'm guessing these didn't come with a hanger? could you fit one though?

Ugg another thought do I need Campagnolo dropouts if I want to have something like a Campagnolo grand sport ?