Clockwork info thread

[Retroms68]

Congrats to all retro dads. Brocks dont even try using that as an excuse my 4th boy is just 5 months old. Besides im relying on you mate , your my guru

 

[Retroms68]

Build the little one a mini orange. You could call it a "Satsuma"

 

[Silvergoat]

or Clementine...

 

[Retroms68]

Now that would be a good girls name. Keep all things orange i say !

 

[Retroms68]

Anyway. Regarding the frame. Today i managed to remove the Infinity , Prestige and Built in halifax decals intact and discovered that underneath was lovely unfaded paint so im happy that they all seem to have been applied at the same time. The San Marco decal on the top tube was applied at a later date and was covering up some paint damage.
Indicating that it has had some touching up done before. Also backed up by the fact that when i tried to remove the Clockwork decals they just crumbled. They appear to have had lacquer applied over them. However when removed they show up the paint bleaching as expected. They also left a noticeable edge to the lacquer.

Sorry no pics of this yet but had to get to work. But will post some up at the weekend showing what im talking about.

I haven't had a go at the mystery decal yet but im not holding much hope for getting it off.

I will keep you posted.

 

[Silvergoat]

The decals on the frame seemed seem to be located/positioned unusually. Are you going to have any repro decals applied in the more usual classic Clockwork way?

 

[brocklanders023]

Thanks all and congrats Dossa.

As for the bike, the decal placing looks ok to me for an 89 groovy. Where do you think it's wrong?

 

[Silvergoat]

Actually, you're right Brocks – had a look at the '91 brochure. I'm just not used to seeing Orange on the top tube and Clockwork on the down tube.

 

[Retroms68]

Some pictures of the decals as promised.

Infinity

Prestige

Hand built in the UK

Prototype

Removed

Removed

I dont think the prototype decal will be of any use
So had a mess around to see what was possible. Font and sizing is
out at the moment but should be ok when done properly.

 

[sinnerman]

Re: Clockwork info please

As I said, I didn't mention the hand built ones as they just confuse the issue and have done in the past. If you can be bothered you can look back to where I have referenced them in other threads. I'd love to see one and hope your clues suggest you have one. If this is the case I look forward to you working your usual magic on it.

I am no expert, I've just held an interest since bitd and have spent too much time looking at them since finding this site. Anthony know far more then me and has corrected me many times.

I looked back to the Prestige thread and although the thought it was hand built is mentioned it is quickly quashed and thats about that from what I can see. I'm also yet to see a retro Orange with 'made in England' on it. I'd genuinely be interested to see one that does. I think it's more a case of people thinking they were bitd because they are now rather then it being thought back then. Might have been different where you live though.

I cant say I paid much attention to the badges then or now to be honest, I was thinking more of there catalogue marketing to be truthful.

It was cleverly written and its plain to see how so many misconstrued the bikes as being made in Halifax, cleverly written and using terms like "Our factory based in Halifax", Head "frame builder" and designer" etc etc, (this was as early as 91 from memory).
It does touch on Far east assembly, so it is there, but quickly makes reference to "Other" manufacturers. (using the 91 catalogue for ref in our archives)

It goes on like this throughout, talking of R+D etc, it mentions Assembly a lot too, but such a grey area it is clear why so many perhaps Just presumed. ( and you cant blame them, if you read it)

I suspect the guys selling at ground Zero didn't help matters in this regard either, my experience of sales back then, a lot of Kudos was placed on English built bicycles, conveniently adding weight to an easy sale perhaps.

Whether it was intentionally written up like this I suspect we will never "Honestly" know.

And don't think this is a slight on my part in anyway to orange, it isn't , I rate them then and now, and whilst they aren't responsible for the smaller firms building by hand, falling by the wayside, so many did feel the pinch due to cheaper far east imports. (which is a great shame, but I suppose the way of the world).

Ref the Clockwork it does come with an additional one piece bar and stem like the formula which is nice, and was designed by... yet built for Orange. (this in itself indicates the catalogue marketing for me.)

Its in a sorry state but as and when ill post a thread.

Oh happy days. Have just spent a relaxing evening fettling the cat, entertaining the mrs, deciding on spokes/rims/hubs/nipples (for my new wheel build), and over my fish supper, revisiting my entire collection of Orange brochures going back to 1991. Ah, happy days…

Having taken time to carefully read again and fully understand everything Orange said in each of their brochures, I’m not sure how people have managed to misconstrue what Orange have said. Aside of the branding and marketing, it’s actually all very clear and accurate information that’s been provided. Orange isn’t the only bike company to have used strong distinctive branding and clever marketing. I really don’t think they’ve misled anyone. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter who/where/how the bikes frames were manufactured. Plenty of companies (including other bike brands) design products and commission outside manufacturers to make them for their specs and brand.

The ‘designed in Halifax’ and ‘hand built in Halifax’ decals didn’t appear on Orange bikes until the late 90’s. The ‘hand built in Halifax’ refers to the monocoque suspension bikes they developed, fabricated, built and assembled in Halifax. The ‘designed in Halifax’ refers to some of the steel and other bikes that were designed in Halifax, but fabricated elsewhere on their behalf, then finished and assembled back in Halifax. A lot of the ‘hand built in Halifax’ statements refer to their range of suspension bikes made from the mid 2000’s onwards.

I’lll happily supply copies of all the brochures for everyone’s pleasure. Flicking through them all brought back many happy memories for me of hurtling down Caerphilly Mountain and many other locations.

Decals like this kinda show were I was coming from in my earlier post.