1955 Carlton Super Python (Pictures Added)

[rod998]

My Uncle gave me his Carlton Super Python a few years back. He bought it new in 1955!
It was well looked after and it has had a great life. I have used it a few times, however, it has been sitting retired for the last few years!
I feel it deserves to be returned to its good old days when new!
My uncle has told me alot about it and the original parts when he bought it new...
Frame, stem and seat post are only original parts remaining...
Number stamped into frame is 19D 64/C







Info as follows...:
Carlton Super Python. New in 1955 so it's 60 years old!
It had drop handlebars and steel rimmed wheels with racing tyres, 27 by 1 1/4.
It had 8 gears, 4 back 2 front.
It was a Williams crank and chain rings, 47 and 50 teeth.
Not sure of the size of the back rings.
Wheels were secured with track nuts.
Not the original colour!
It was bright green metallic with burgundy panels (right round) on both tubes which join bottom bracket.
Tubing is Reynolds 531 (the best at the time). The saddle was Brooks B17.
Gear change equipment was Simplex.
Brake calipers are original.

I am wondering if to return it with gears or a single speed with single freewheel as this was available also. I will try and upload some pictures soon...
Can anyone help with further information or a source of original parts?
Thanks!

 

[COUPES]

Re:

Ebay is still good for parts and you can get good prices for stuff. Bike jumbles and even gumtree. You can get fixed and free hubs so the best of both. Hopefully you can keep it original. Pictures always help.

Simon

 

[Big Block]

Re: 1955 Carlton Super Python

the 1955 catalogue is useful

and some catalogues
GB bars, stem, brakes
saddle
Simplex gears
Williams chainset

the bright green metallic paint may have been the Flamboyant paint style available at the time.

The Aids to Happy Cycling is a useful snapshot of the components on sale

the wheels, is there any recollection if they were Dunlops, and alloy or steel; if steel chromed or stainless?
helpful advice on period wheels is at Classic Lightweights

and keep an eye on what Hilary Stone has in his Classic Corner. Make sure you tell him what it is for and he can advise on period correct components

and photos please

 

[rod998]

Pictures...
http://s952.photobucket.com/user/rod9981984/library/

 

[Spokesmann]

There is a fantastic frame set under those (mostly) modern parts...

 

[rod998]

Re:

Thanks...
I'm really hoping to get it back to standard.
I know at that time each bike was iindividually hand built and finished to customers own preference.
As I stated,this one was bright green and had 8 gears...however,I know you could also have a single speed...which is really appealing but does limit certain riding.
Decisions...Decisions!

 

[Big Block]

The hubs were specified as Bayliss Wiley No9 and No10
These are seen in the (1952) Brown Brothers catalogue p100
so 32/40 hole, small flange are the key style indicators to look for.

for the paint finish in the Classic Lightweight search engine search for flamboyant and you will read how it was done and some examples, including this 1949 Harrison and H Lloyds has a range of decals


as for gears, remember that the gear range was limited. The derailleurs just didn't have a large capacity. Just look at the illustration in the 1955 Carlton catalogue for the bikes with a front rod derailleur. It is very hard to see the two chainrings!

 

[Midlife]

Very nice

Just as an aside, I came across a lot of Carlton's like this in the 70's that had been added to over the years with new brakes, gears, etc. If you have problems getting original 50's kit then it wouldn't look out of place with late 60's early 70's equipment.

Shaun

 

[ibbz]

wow! Lovely!