Dawes Imperial - any info?

[ZG862]

Re:

Update:
Looks like I'm wrong on the 1 colour option thing. Some searching (on Retrobike. D'oh!) suggests that there was (initially at least?) a pale blue colour with black decals, cables, saddle and bars.

Not sure on the original bar tape. I think it was similar to Benotto Cello tape (which i personally find very uncomfortable but is seemingly highly valued judging by eBay).

Z

 

[oldandslow]

Re:

Old thread I know, but definitely more than one colour. I bought mine as a frame in 1990 - it was hanging in the LBS - and built it up. I've used in Audax events and similar. As others have said, rides well, so not too long ago I had Mercian respray it, and it's just waiting for me to get around to building it up again. Here are the original colours.

 

[ZG862]

Lovely to see another one on the road, o&s. Any chance of some more pics (pre/post respray)?

I ended up with 2 - and neither of them are fully restored yet but life is getting in the way. Oddly enough, I pulled them both out of the garage a couple of days ago to assess status. Much unlocking of cables and U-locks!
Imperial 1 is the older one and I'm going full concourse on that one (down to the Tamlu reflectors). I'm still holding out for a Suntour Ultra 6 chain but they are really silly money. The only thing I haven't been able to find at all is white Zefal toestraps with "Dawes" logotype rather than "Christophe" etc.
The theme for No. 2 is "What mine would have ended up like if it hadn't been stolen" and this is good fun trying to work out which bits to upgrade with contemporary components of a slightly higher grade. So, I have a beautiful Cinelli record stem instead of the original SR custom, a Concor Profil saddle on the aero version of the Laprade seat pin, and so on. Geeky stuff.

Hope you post more pics. And enjoy riding it too!
Z

 

[oldandslow]

Re:

I went for a colour scheme of my choice - it was never an aim to keep the original colours. After some thought I asked them to reverse the red and blue of my Mercian respray, which was some years ago and has always been one with which I am very happy. So here it is:

Embarrassingly, I've checked and I've had it in storage for several years since the respray, just waiting for me to find time to put it together, which I now have, so with luck I'll start this weekend.

I couldn't save the original plain head badge (just the word Dawes), and the best that Dawes could offer is this older design:

I also got this US Dawes transfer, which I'm considering putting between the seat-tube bands, if the colours match. Bands always look as though they need something between them.

 

[ZG862]

Really nice - like the lug lining.
One thing that is a bit odd is that the original forks appear to be painted rather than chromed in your top pic. I may be mistaken but I thought this was a difference between the Imperial and its contemporary the Renown(?).
Original headset was generally a Tange LV-1500 (there are a few to be found and they're very good but be aware that a little frame work is required to fit the ones you can get now) though I've also seen them with Stronglights too.
Are you going for period gearing or fancy modern stuff?

 

[oldandslow]

I noticed the fork thing, but mine were definitely the originals (paint matched exactly and I bought the frame new), and the bike carried the Imperial name. I think my very-reliable LBS was a Dawes dealer at that time. I never really asked why it was frame-only, but I recall that they also had a quite-nice Raleigh frame (not my size) hanging up as well, so I think they were testing the market.

I had updated the parts since I took the picture above, and was using Athena 8-speed with a 7-speed freewheel. I finally stopped using the bike (and so got the chance to arrange the respray) when the rear Gran Sport hub flange broke, so I have to look at parts to some degree. I've secured some Campagnolo-hubbed 9-speed wheels and will probably use those with other parts from that sort of era. Just need to check the OLDs.

Yes I think the headset is Tange. I'm planning to re-fit it.

 

[bagpuss]

Re:

Just had a look through my stack of old cycle brochures .I have two for Dawes cycles from 1985 and 86 so if anyone needs original specification details for the Imperial for this time period please let me know.

 

[oldandslow]

Would be interesting to see some scans. Any sign of a blue one with blue forks?

Edit: You prompted me to Google. I've just looked here. The Imperial does not appear in the 1990 catalogue list of bikes. However, the 1986 catalogue says that it has just gone to ice blue (my colour, presumably) and an "all-race" spec (complete with mudguard eyes!) Would definitely have been sold as an Audax bike if it had been around a few years later.

It makes perfect sense that my frame had been hanging up from the previous year at least when I saw it in March/April 1990.

 

[ZG862]

Every day is a learning day here. I hadn't seen the 1986 catalogue (think it is a new addition since I last went on that site so thanks for the link) but now see that the Imperial has a few changed components as compared with earlier iterations and sure enough, painted forks. Also has brazed on gear bosses that weren't there before and a slightly different handlebar stem (not the SR custom aero that preceded it) and saddle (Isca vs Kashimax). Weinmann 605 brakes have also changed to the 405s (slightly lower drop depths so it looks like the frame geometry evolved a little too). Maybe I should do a side by side table...
Looks like my 2 are 1984 and 1985.

Z
PS/ Anyone who spots my (also stolen) Ranger can claim a reward if I get it back. It has a unique factory custom black frame. Nicked in Croydon iirc. Dunno what I'd do with it though, they weighed a tonne!

 

[bagpuss]

Re:

Frame;Reynolds 531 c , Forged fork crown and drop outs .
1986 colour spec for the Imperial was , I quote the "the exciting new ice blue "
Mudguard eyes, lever bosses on down tube .Saddle Isca aer ,brushed leather . Micro adjustable flutted seat pin ,Weinmann 405 qr brakes. Anodised drilled levers
Suntour Cyclonemark 2 14 speed . Free wheel 12 to 23 . Chainset SR aero 42/52 . gear range 49-116 . Pedals alloy with clips& straps {brand not stated}.
Wheels .Maillard 600cx hubs , rims Rigda anodised 14/16g chromed double butted spokes, foldable 700x20 tyres .Stem alloy {brand not stated} Handle bars Alloy Menton with silver anodised sleeve ,black padded suede tape . Head set Alloy {brand not stated}
Weight stated at 22 Ibs .

I will try and Scan the pictures . {They are not very big}