1970 Pennine “Marilyn”

[extramedium]

Thought I’d make a little thread of my slow restoration of this lovely but neglected machine. Apparently the “Marilyn” was sold frame only and named as such because it strips easy (a different time I guess!)

I stalked this on Facebook market place and when it came down in price I bought it (still for far too much). I bought it from a youngish chap who had inherited it from his Dad and had used it as a commuter. It had been updated with all sorts of crap and and was in a bit of a sorry state. Not much left of the original other than the frame, some Balilla brakes and a Milremo stem.

 

[extramedium]

I’ve ummed and ah’d about what to do with it for a while. It seemed a bit too rough to claim as a patina build but I really didn’t want to go down the professional respray route and end up with something that looks brand new and much like any other vintage roadie restoration. In particular I didn’t want to loose the little vingnette scenes on the top of the seat stays which are a bit of a signature for the bike.
In the end I’ve tried to strike a compromise I’ve sanded down the roughest bits but simply toothed other parts of the frame and used a candy spray paint to restore the colour. I’ve also had a go at some lug lining to restore some of the definition. It’s still not great in parts - particularly the Pennine logo on the down tube but it’s nearly ready for building I think.

 

[hamster]

I like that. It's kept the patina (which as you say is irreplaceable). Nice light touch job.

 

[curzons246]

I think you are spot on, it's a thing of beauty

 

[padraignolan]

Very beautiful. I finished my own Pennine restoration in the spring. Like you, I struggled with what to do with the original paint that was beyond what I could reasonably call patina. I very carefully re-created the mountain scenes on the seat stay caps from close-up photos. I just couldn't stomach losing those. It is anyone's guess what model it is. The lug work looks like a Richmond track bike I have seen, but it is all-over a steel racer. I got it, frame only, with the Campagnolo headset for $20 US from someone who found it in the trash. I would love to know the provenance, and how it ended up here in Austin, Texas. It is an exquisite ride. Recently updated with recreated vintage Campy brake hoods.

 

[extramedium]

Gosh yes! Bet it’s got a right story to tell. Fantastic job of the little vignettes - really kept the spirit of the bike alive

 

[extramedium]

Quick update on mine. Coming together well - just waiting on a few bits. Decided to apply some humbrol paint to Mrs Maplebeck’s artistry - not perfect but an improvement. Having a bit of an issue with the cable routing as it the rear brake hose comes in at a very steep angle - stepped ferrule doesn’t sit right and it’s annoying me. Any idea? Maybe route the cables in front of the stem?

 

[padraignolan]

That is looking really nice. The stay caps look good!

The cable thing is a head scratcher. I think it would be very annoying to route in front of the bars. Maybe a hose line clip directly in front of the cable stop to pull the cable down to a more horizontal angle?

Also, I don't know if it was a French style to paint the accents on the lugs in front of the lug, on the tube. Your Pennine and mine are the only ones I have ever seen (or owned) with the accents painted on the lugs. I left it like that in my resto, but was always afraid someone would call me out on it for being 'wrong'.

 

[extramedium]

It’s definitely original so they can’t call us out on that! I’m thankful really because they were much easier to trace over that way

 

[extramedium]

All done I think. Went with some simplex running gear and a galli crankset I had lying around. Looks pretty I think. Unfortunately it’s way too small for me (56cm) so it’s going on eBay. Enjoy the pics.