Carlton Bike from the 70's ? Looking for some informations !

[Peuf]

Hello all,

This is my last bike, a red Carlton in a poorly condition, but it's a nice bike and the parts are quite interesting.

I don't know anything about this bike, I have more knowledge on french bikes than the english ones and this Calrton is a mystery for me. All the transfers are washed out or gone, also I am pretty sure that the yellow transfers are just some adhesive tape. I really hope you can help me on this bike.

It is equipped with Weinmann Vainqueurs Brakes 5610 and 750), the brake levers are probably AG Vainqueur 999 with the brake housing using the Carlton logo. The stem is a GB Neta.

Rear derailleur is a Simplex, couldn't find the model, it really looks like the Simplex LJ4000CP but no the back is in plastic and not metal, also no marking on the pivots. The front shifter is a Huret Allvit luxe if I am not mistaking.

The saddle is a New Style, no idea of this brand, I may change it.

Wheels are in bad shape with a lot of broken spokes.

No infos on the crankset, pedals are 501 Made in England, couldn't find more info on those.

And finally a serial number on the saddle tube: NB5203117

I started stripping the bike down, will post more updates on this post.

Thanks for your help !
Cheers,

 

[Midlife]

1975 Carlton, if that's an N first in the number then made in the Nottingham Raleigh factory. Crespera lugs and full seat stay wraparound frame made of Tru-Well tubing which was the base for a number of Carlton models.

Is there any chrome hiding under the paint?

Spokessman is our resident Carlton aficionado

Shaun

 

[Midlife]

Oooops, just spotted the chrome on the forks, first stab in the dark would be a Carlton Corsa.......

Shaun

 

[Peuf]

Hello Midlife,

Thanks for your infos !
How do you know it's from 1975 ?

Yes there is chrome on the front fork (not that much though).

I will weight the frame, maybe could help.

What about the transfers ? They looks really simple, Carlton in black sans serif typography apparently.

 

[Midlife]

Third letter of the number is a 5 for 1975, the B before the 5 is the code for February so February 1975 made in Nottingham.

The frame will be Tru-Well tubing so not super light but still lightweight.

Back in 1975 Carlton decals looked like this bike

Shaun

 

[Midlife]

The Carlton Continental / Criterium also used the same frame if memory serves, the Continental didn't have chrome though......... Criterium picture with thanks to Spokessman

Shaun

 

[Peuf]

Thanks a lot for these precisions !

So yes apparently I have a Carlton Corsa, will buy some transfers online probably,
Also have more infos on the wheels :
Front has no brand rim with a sturmey archer hub
Back one has a atom 48 hub with Rigida Chrolux rim, Normandy freewheel.

The saddle is a Bassano also.

Weighted the frame it says 2.6kg (but I used a bathroom scale so not accurate, that give an idea though).
Dunno those tru-well tubing is it good ? Compared to the well known reynolds ?

Cheers

 

[Midlife]

Here's me racing on the same frame you have in the early to mid 70's. Tru-Well was heavier than Reynolds but light for a mass produced frame. I don't recall the colour of your frame so may well have been resprayed.

Shaun

 

[Peuf]

Cool picture !
The paint looks a bit dull yes, I am thinking of doing a repaint but that's quite hard and time consuming job !
Still don't really know if it's a corsa or criterium, gonna ask this spokesman !

 

[Spokesmann]

Interesting, looks like it could be a Corsa from around Feb 1975, the frame number should have a W prefix, N was used by Raleigh (Nottingham). Could well be a Raleigh model of that time, but the wrap over seat stays and the badge say Carlton. Of course it could be a Criterium too as above. If the black hoods are original then its most probably the Corsa model.