Heard of a framemaker called Richards??

[converse320]

Has anyone heard of a framemaker called Richards? Can't find anything on line on them. I picked up quite a nice frame on Ebay with pantographed "Richards" on the rear stays. Its been finished by Argos with no original paint. There are some serial numbers under the refinished paint but its too thick to read. Spearpoint lugs.

I'll stick some picture up once I've cleaned it up a bit.

 

[Old Ned]

Could be Alan Richards who owned Tower Cycles in Birmingham in the 70's and 80's?

He was a very good time triallist as well, shown here in 1976 finishing a 25 at Catterick.

Mind you, his bikes generally had 'Tower Cycles' decals fitted. He wouldn't have built frames himself but bought them in.

 

[converse320]

think you're right...

Thanks, the lugwork is the spitting image of the one on this bike:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... rds002.jpg

The cable braze-ons on the top also look identical. But the paintwork not lasted as I would have expected - its very thick and has cracked and rusted in places.

Wonder where Richards got their frames built?

 

[Old Ned]

Re: think you're right...

Thanks, the lugwork is the spitting image of the one on this bike:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg26 ... rds002.jpg

The cable braze-ons on the top also look identical. But the paintwork not lasted as I would have expected - its very thick and has cracked and rusted in places.

Wonder where Richards got their frames built?

Those are pretty standard Haden or possibly Bocama lugs, used by many frame builders so cannot be used as a guide to the builder. I'm currently renovating a frame with the identical design. Lugs, cable braze-ons, brake bridges etc. were all bought from a wholesaler such as Saba.

The Richards name as seen on this bike I can't remember seeing before.

Being in Birmingham he may have bought from Major Nichols.

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bu ... chols.html

 

[converse320]

Bit the bullet and scraped the paint off over the serial no. Its TC82*****, so I would assume that the TC is Tower Cycles, and the Richards is indeed the person who ran Tower Cycles. It would be great to think that Major Nichols built it, but that's a leap too far.