BB choice for a 1963 H Quinn with a perforated BB shell?

[Hillwalker]

Thanks to all for the compliments about the frame (even you Torqueless ) . I've got family commitments over the weekend, but will try to upload some pictures with sprints fairly soon.

HW

 

[Old Ned]

Far be it for ne ti contradict Mr Stone but cut out bb's and drilled out dropouts came about later than 1963 in my experience

Shaun

Hi Shaun and Griff and thanks for the input. It's much appreciated. I have Campag sleeves (both the older 2 part 'push together' NR type and more modern 'bellows' types). Love the washing up liquid version though!

In fairness to Hilary I too wondered about the age of the frame when the cutaway BB is considered. However in his listing for the Quinn on his site Hilary cited an article in Cycling in July 1963 that profiled a very similar Quinn frame (also like mine made from lightweight 531 (that's lighter than usual 531DB of the day)) complete with cutaway BB and drilling (the article is here: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Britis ... inn_UL.htm) . While the 2 frames are similar they are not identical, but close in key features.

Out of interest I also found a 1960 Harry Quinn catalogue. This details a frame called the Vigorelli Special here: http://merseysidebicycles.blogspot.co.u ... -1960.html which also has some similarities (but also with differences and this doesn't mention the cutaway BB).

So, it looks like an axle-and-bearings BB is a goer here!

HW

The 'Cycling' article bike was owned by Eddie Richards Merseyside Wheelers and ridden with some success in local and national TT's in the early 60's. I had a new HQ frame built for me in 1964 (I collected it on Friday 28 August and raced it Sunday 30th in a 25 on one of the Chelford Cheshire courses - photo below). This had HQ 'home grown' rear vertical dropouts but definitely no cut-away bracket! I valued my bearings to much. I recall people stripping out BB's weekly with cut-away shells. I just couldn't see the point - and still can't!



As for the OP's frame, I'd just fit a suitable cassette BB. I won't tell anyone if you do - 'cos I do!

Oh, and I think the drilled Campag rear dropouts came quite a while later than 63/64 - as did brazed on gear levers bosses as a common fitment. No brazings was fashionable in the 60's.

BRW, what's the frame number? This will help date it.

 

[Hillwalker]

Re: Re:

Torqueless asked me:

This does look like a late '70s frame TBH...
Were vertical dropouts around in the early '60s?
Were brake bridges like that around in the early '60s?
What are the clearances like for brakes and wheels?
What is the rear spacing?

If it is a 1963 frame, IMO it may have been 'modernised' and refinished at some point.[/quote]

Righto, thanks for the input and here we go...

-Apparently Harry Quinn did his own vertical dropouts at this time (thanks Old Ned!). I've found a page with Quinn serial numbers registered and will add my own in a mo'. Ref is here: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Britis ... gistry.htm . Scroll down the page to 'Colin Lloyd' and 'Andrew Hockley' (would be nice if they're members here and could chime in) and there's an entry for 1963 that's very similar to mine. Colin's spec is similar and Andrew's colour scheme identical. Sadly, no pics

-Brake bridge? Gotta agree that doesn't look 60s at all. Rather like my 80s Denton.

-Spacing is 120mm at the rear, so we are firmly back to the 60s.

-Also only an RD braze on, so again 5/6 speed and 1960s.

-Clearances:

On its feet with a pair of sprints (these are Campag/Mavic Monthlery Pro). Excuse the mess in my attic



Clearances are tight for the 60s and much more like current clearances. But that is in keeping with Hilary's writeup and description.

Front brake



Rear brake clearance



Front with an early 60s brake caliper (no way could I get the shoes up enough to bear onto the rim)



And with a short drop 80s caliper. Would fit easily (if I were to adapt to nutted fittings - its definitely NOT set up for allen key fastenings).



So, on balance, this seems to be a very 'forward looking' 60s frame with distinctly modern features combined with traditional wheel spacing and RD facility.

Serial number for mine is Q2618. According to the database of numbers referenced above, this appears to indicate early to mid 60s (it falls between entries for 1963 and 1967).

Can I just say as a relatively new member thanks to all for their comments and questions?. This has certainly helped me. And to Predki for his generous comments.

HW

 

[Excel]

Re: Re:

Excuse the mess in my attic

....jeez, if that's your attic it's better than my lounge!
Griff

 

[Old Ned]

Lots of people used Weinmann 500 brake callipers for bikes like this in the 60's. They should fit perfectly. The GB centrepulls are rather deep.

 

[Hillwalker]

Thanks Ned. The GBs were easy to find in my stash of bits, but I rather felt they weren't quite the brakes the HQ would have had. However I do have a pair of Weinmanns but they are later 70s/80s with the black plastic retaining nuts. I want some nice shiny brakes for this frame!

To be honest I'm learning fast about 60s frames and the period equipment. Bit of a learning curve but I'm enjoying it and all the comments help enormously!

HW

 

[predki]

Re:

Universal Mod 61?

 

[Excel]

Mafac Racers coupled with Universal levers were a popular choice on top end bikes back in the early 1960's
Griff

 

[Hillwalker]

Thanks to both of you for the help.

VERY shiny brakes there Predki!

HW

 

[predki]

Re:

You know elbow grease, a lot of... and here's an example of a shiny Racer:

Universals are one of the centrepull brakes with shortest reach.