Les Ephgrave - Have I described this correctly - help please

[anniesmum]

My husband was a keen cyclist in the 1960's and was very proud of his bike. He didn't get to use it much but when he retired he started to restore it. Then he became ill and died quite unexpectedly.
I am left with his precious bike and want to sell it to raise money for his charity

I have listed it on ebay. Someone kindly told me it was 'A Les Ephgrave with No. 1 lugs' so I added that to the listing

Could any of you please tell me if I have listed it honestly and correctly. Is there anything else I should add to the listing. I really want to get the best price for the charity I can

Any help is welcome, many thanks

I have to make one post before I can add a link to my ebay listing number: 330810628841

 

[anniesmum]

Hello again
This time I will try to add the link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330810628841? ... 1555.l2649

 

[godders]

Good luck with the sale and i hope you raise a good sum for the charity i have a Ephgrave no 1 lug frame as well and have been informed that it is worth several hundred pounds :shock: so i hope that it sell for a good price !!
just a thought but have you posted it in the road section as well ? worth
letting as many people as poss getting a look at it ...
Mick

 

[oldave]

You ask about sizing(s). If you measure from centre of the axle to which the cranks are attached to the top of the tube up towards the saddle (the seat tube) where the seat post goes into the frame, then that will do as frame size!

As for wheels, try and find either "622" OR "630" on the tyres. If the former, then 700c wheels, if the latter then 27" wheels (in common parlance!).

Bluntly, the condition of the frame is not encouraging. The rust could well be more than surface, the frame COULD be little more than scrap. (And no I'm not trying to talk the price down - not my sort of bike these days!).

Good luck with the charity fund raising.

 

[wm4wm4]

Just to say, lovely bike for a lovely cause. I'm afraid i know very little about bikes of this era.

I really hope you make as much money for your husband's charity as possible.

Good Luck!

 

[anniesmum]

oldave, it is rusty, do you think I should have a brush about with the wire brush? Do you think I could tell how bad it is? Or am I best to leave well alone?
It was being ridden until just before Christmas, although only round the block and up to the park - 3 or 4 miles. I suspect rather more sedately than in the 1960's pictures I have seen!
Thank you

 

[wookiee]

Good luck with the sale...I'm sure it will go to a good home and to someone who appreciates it...

Wookiee

 

[wookiee]

oldave, it is rusty, do you think I should have a brush about with the wire brush? Do you think I could tell how bad it is? Or am I best to leave well alone?
It was being ridden until just before Christmas, although only round the block and up to the park - 3 or 4 miles. I suspect rather more sedately than in the 1960's pictures I have seen!
Thank you

Leave it as is...the new buyer can choose to restore it how they wish...They might want a good look at the transfers and logos to replicate new ones which may get worn off if you de-rust...

 

[oldave]

You've provided good close up photos - my advice would be to leave it as it is and let the bidders decide. If asked, then say you don't know. To find out how good/bad it is is not always simple.

 

[anniesmum]

I would just like to say many thanks for all the help and advice you all gave me on here. I have canceled the listing because I think you are all right - I need to do more research and thinking.
My son is a keen cyclist, well he commutes in London by bike. He now appreciates what we have and wants to keep it for the time being. (I showed him the pictures in the link someone gave) It does look good done up!

Just one more question. It is a fixed wheel. Is it possible to convert it to a normal bike? We all (2 sons, 1 daughter and me) tried to ride it as it is and fell off Also, how is it that there is only a front break? Why don't you end up flying over the handle bars!
Sorry if these are really stupid questions.