custom frame ident help

[ktuludays]

My dad has just passed this bike on to me from a friend who was given it years ago by his old neighbour. Bike was custom built at allen's cycles in sheffield but other than that i know nothing about it.

Rear derailleur is a shimano skylark, 5 speed and front is a shimano thunderbird II.
Hubs are shimano but i can't see what model.

There is a serial number on the frame but i'm struggling to ident. Your help would be appreciated.

There is some rust on the wheels and front forks at the bottom and the handle bars but other than that lots of elbow grease should get it sorted.

Frame is in quite good condition for it's age, i reckon it must be pre 80's.

Bike is too small for me so would like to restore and sell if it is worth it.

any help is appreciated

 

[Nob]

I would say it looks like an offshoot similar to the mas produced Coventry Eagle Frames of the late 70"s

 

[ktuludays]

ok thanks. does that mean i haven't been given a hidden gem?

 

[keithglos]

For me it has a far eastern look, low end bike. Oddly the bottom bracket looks like Raleigh. Possibly soon after Raleigh closed.

 

[Midlife]

I have to agree with Keith......the BB guides plus the very old fashioned silver topped forks and the big dent in the chainstay usually means far eastern manufacture for a UK market. Rather like Falcon did

Shaun

 

[Ian Raleigh]

ok thanks. does that mean i haven't been given a hidden gem?

Well you can find hidden gems! For instance Kinder eggs, you never know
what you will get and once its opened you think its ace, then later on
you realise its shit after you have played with it for a while.

 

[ktuludays]

thanks for your help guys. at least i know how much time and effort to put into a resto now.

 

[Ian Raleigh]

The bike shouldn't take much cleaning up but becareful around the frame decals
as they could be water slide decals, go steady on polishing up the chrome
no harsh rubbing, be gentle and the bike will come up rather nice.

Be good to see it put up after its been thoroughly cleaned.

 

[ktuludays]

i'll get it sorted over the next few months and get some pics up when it's done.

Have a team banana to do so what little time i get will be shared between the two bikes

 

[Midlife]

Just be careful in the wet......those dimpled chrome rims made a distinctive sound.......but didn't do much to slow you down

Shaun