Did a trip to Surrey and back to collect, literally dumped the bike in the garage and snapped some quick phone pics, then jumped back in the car to get to a meeting.
The photos are point and click just to get a record for myself really - but thought I'd share.
Obviously I haven't touched anything, checked anything, cleaned anything etc - it's exactly as I collected it.
At very quick first glance, everything looks in really rather good condition - just covered in a coating of very thick black grease!
Husband and wife I collected from were charming, and if not for current world events [and that I had to get back for a meeting] there's no doubt I would have stayed longer. Was bought from original owner, who used in sparingly before deciding he wanted a larger, more traditional tourer frame - so he bought another FW Evans and hung this up. 35+ years later and his wife wanted a bike as they could no longer do the group walks they used to due to Covid. He suggested this, she didn't like it, it got listed for sale when they decided to use lockdown as an excuse to sort their garage and dispose of unwanted things to free up space.
He was genuinely thrilled that it was going to someone who would cherish it, and even more so when I 'enthralled' him with my local history knowledge, and how my dad used to ride past the Bluemels 'factory' on his way to work etc, etc...
According to the posts of others [ie. Graham], this would not have been available until early 1984, but - and with large respect to Graham - I think it may be from 1983.
I will fill details in another day when I'm more awake, but there are certain things on Graham's timeline which don't quite match in my mind, and for me 1983 would seem more correct. I think, as with a lot of things, certain inaccuracies have been given at certain points, a few gaps filled incorrectly, and then all is combined as gospel. Anyway, for another day!
Some pics before bed - they're shit pics, and I make no apologies.
The photos are point and click just to get a record for myself really - but thought I'd share.

Obviously I haven't touched anything, checked anything, cleaned anything etc - it's exactly as I collected it.
At very quick first glance, everything looks in really rather good condition - just covered in a coating of very thick black grease!
Husband and wife I collected from were charming, and if not for current world events [and that I had to get back for a meeting] there's no doubt I would have stayed longer. Was bought from original owner, who used in sparingly before deciding he wanted a larger, more traditional tourer frame - so he bought another FW Evans and hung this up. 35+ years later and his wife wanted a bike as they could no longer do the group walks they used to due to Covid. He suggested this, she didn't like it, it got listed for sale when they decided to use lockdown as an excuse to sort their garage and dispose of unwanted things to free up space.
He was genuinely thrilled that it was going to someone who would cherish it, and even more so when I 'enthralled' him with my local history knowledge, and how my dad used to ride past the Bluemels 'factory' on his way to work etc, etc...
According to the posts of others [ie. Graham], this would not have been available until early 1984, but - and with large respect to Graham - I think it may be from 1983.
I will fill details in another day when I'm more awake, but there are certain things on Graham's timeline which don't quite match in my mind, and for me 1983 would seem more correct. I think, as with a lot of things, certain inaccuracies have been given at certain points, a few gaps filled incorrectly, and then all is combined as gospel. Anyway, for another day!
Some pics before bed - they're shit pics, and I make no apologies.
