Graham Weigh 531

[Bike Hoarder]

Wow... this feels like finding a new aisle in my favourite shop!

So, I got given a bike - a road bike... ooooh. It looks like a 531 tubed Graham Weigh, from the graphics I'd say late 70's. Is there a system for his frame numbers? Were they really made in house at his Deeside shop?

Is got an Arabesque chainset, with 'W cut' rings, a later 600 AX rear mech and the rest is tat.

I'm thinking Arabesque the groupset, add some mudguards and a Carradice saddle bag an I'm off for some retro touring.

I'll do some pics later on.

 

[widowmaker]

Score

 

[sjcprojects]

I’m pretty sure the bikes were made by other frame makers and just badged as Graham Weigh, not made in house. I don’t know who actually made them, mind you.

I had an early 90s one (531) for a while - it was a pretty nice ride, so I expect yours will be nice too.

 

[pigman]

I suspect Dolan might have had a hand in some of their frames, them all being in that neck of the woods

 

[Bike Hoarder]

It's weird, I grew up reading cycling weekly, and they always had a big advert - dream bike building, but never 'really' hankered after a road bike. It wasn't until we moved to North Wales that I actually realised where the shop was.

After I got talking to an old roadie at a close relatives funeral, I'd started to think about something from maybe my birth year ('77). And then one turns up in my lap!

 

[sjcprojects]

I suspect Dolan might have had a hand in some of their frames all being in that neck of the woods

Yes, you’re quite right - that rung a bell, and indeed apparently Terry Dolan did make some of their higher end bikes.

 

[The Bat]

Looking forward to seeing the photos.

I was in the shop a couple of years ago and the guy who has worked there for years was showing me their historical collection upstairs. I asked about the GW-badged frames and if, as I had had also heard, Dolan made them but, from what I recall, only a few were made by Dolan and I think it was early in their production. I'm sure he told me that a lot were made overseas, maybe Belgium or the Netherlands. As I say, I can't remember all the details but I'm sure if you call in the shop @Bike Hoarder they will be happy to tell you all about them; take your bike with you and get the story of that, too.

 

[Bike Hoarder]

I have thought about riding it across when it's 'finished'... If it's anything like my MTB builds it'll be a while yet.