BOBU
Retro Guru
I recently bought the above bike on ebay, it looked to be in very respectable condition and turned out better than I even hoped for.
The seller had owned the bike from new, purchased from Herly Ray in Newcastle U-T on 22-10-1977, receipt and original CB Brochure were included. The owner told me the bike had been used for work-home commutes for about 2 years and was then rarely ridden. In the early 2000's he had it serviced/upgraded. This was new Rigida 27" wheels and indexed [Alivio rear/Suntour Cyclone2 front] derailleurs. The frame/forks are all Reynolds 531, the bike is almost unblemished in Spanish Gold.
The bike had not been ridden for more than a decade but had been stored in a garage and kept pristine. There is some deterioration to brightworks which I'll refurbish/replace in due course.
The bike rides slightly high-geared for the uphill sections here but holds an impressive pace on the downhill return legs, much faster than my Carlton Corsair. At speed it's extremely comfortable and stable in the classic British racer style, I doubt there is much butting on the tubing as it feels/rides heavier than my old Raleigh Record Ace.
There is a very notable sweep/curve to the lower front forks which gives the bike it's smooth ride at speed. As all the images show, the bike was clearly cherished by it's original owner and a responsibility I need to maintain, given it's 46+ years of age, as it's custodian...
There are some little jobs to do but it's a rare find.
Another bit of Retrobike heritage to be preserved..... A nice bike and lucky new owner!
The seller had owned the bike from new, purchased from Herly Ray in Newcastle U-T on 22-10-1977, receipt and original CB Brochure were included. The owner told me the bike had been used for work-home commutes for about 2 years and was then rarely ridden. In the early 2000's he had it serviced/upgraded. This was new Rigida 27" wheels and indexed [Alivio rear/Suntour Cyclone2 front] derailleurs. The frame/forks are all Reynolds 531, the bike is almost unblemished in Spanish Gold.
The bike had not been ridden for more than a decade but had been stored in a garage and kept pristine. There is some deterioration to brightworks which I'll refurbish/replace in due course.
The bike rides slightly high-geared for the uphill sections here but holds an impressive pace on the downhill return legs, much faster than my Carlton Corsair. At speed it's extremely comfortable and stable in the classic British racer style, I doubt there is much butting on the tubing as it feels/rides heavier than my old Raleigh Record Ace.
There is a very notable sweep/curve to the lower front forks which gives the bike it's smooth ride at speed. As all the images show, the bike was clearly cherished by it's original owner and a responsibility I need to maintain, given it's 46+ years of age, as it's custodian...
There are some little jobs to do but it's a rare find.
Another bit of Retrobike heritage to be preserved..... A nice bike and lucky new owner!
