Recent content by Little Al

I spannered for the "Fangio" team 83/86 & they rode Vitus framesets badged "Fangio" some supplied frames for the 85 season were the "losange" but after a couple of the early classics we sere asked to strip off the kit & rebuild on 979's the "boy packed them in his van departed & returned with...

When the MA 40 rims first came out "Jantex" pproduced a tape especially for the job don't know if it's still produced

Pat Hanlon ? I seem to remember head tube lugs with the long points on frames & in the shop could have been built for a third party but to use an horticultural ter there was a good amount of cross pollination in that area at around that time

As per "Pigmans" advice also on the cable you are refitting (Please new) make sure & clean up as required the cast nipple as thre is often flash that "squidges" into the pivot slot jamming the nipple if you can rotate the inner wire in the fitting easily before full assembly

That would be my course of action throwing cash at that particular bike would be a complete waste for the same money you could get a "Scruffy" 531 or if you want more modern a "No Name" alloy framed job for similar money

A #of French retired riders have ranges of bikes endorsed by them & sold through various Super Market chains the con glom of bike factory's in St Etienne usually produce these but having not checked of late they could be product of China Usually the French built ones have French threading &...

Re: Re: I"m somewhat older & had completed my potty training there was always conjecture that Anquetils Helyett was a badged jobbie built by one of the St Etienne bike company's possibly the same as he rode before becoming a star He may have had Helyetts but I have a lurking brain twang that...

Seems strange to get all "fuzzy" over kit that was standard pro peloton for top guys in the 80/90's

Seem to be having problems with" piccies" so Pm me your Email if of interest Regina America Screw on freewheel Dural sprockets 7speed 12/17 minimum use £35 Assos skin suit blue/yellow black shorts flock lettered on back Winchester Olympic CRT #tags so no holes £45 size 5 Gaerne Splash road...

Please correct if wrong or you know better but in the depths of grey matter ISTR that they were in some way connected with Flandria

Re: Re: AFAIR Mercians built the Custom frames no idea if they were involved in the of the peg framesets

One of an oft used saying by Tommy Crowther when he ran Mercians shop " Don't matter if it costs 1£ or 20£ ypu still have to peddle it up hills"

To me it's all about the way the bike rides not who's name is on the tubes the 90/70/80's British quality frame builders were capable of producing equal to European builders The Class riders were issued with mostly European brands although Raleigh did OK The best riding bike Ive owned was...

Huret & Sachs rear mechs should be a straight on fit Some Simplex fit as is some require a 2 pronged washer Think but not sure Mavic rear mech will fit

Seems a bit strange as an advert for Raleigh in the early 50's depicted a black guy riding a roadster bike being chased by a lion extoling the virtues of Raleigh the All Steel Bicycle