M Steel Tourer in a Fetching Shade of Lilac

[winjohn]

It now looks less black

 

[fiveSixteenths]

I had convinced myself I must not buy any more bikes but then I sold three over the weekend so I didn't feel so bad about pressing the button on this beauty on eBay.
An M Steel frame with MC70 cantis included in 59cm which is a great size for me.
It arrived this morning and it is a gorgeous colour IMHO.
If anyone can decipher the MS1225 serial number I would be grateful.
Here it is mocked up with some newish 105 bits but I don't think the black works and I'll try a silver Ultegra groupset next.
Small downside is a slight dent on the toptube but I guess that was reflected in the price paid.
View attachment 958939

View attachment 958934

I was very pleased that it fits a 35mm tyres with room to spare.
View attachment 958940

That is super-nice.

 

[winjohn]

Reached out to Dave Yates on LFGSS forum and got the following:

Hi John
1225, a 23 1/2" tourer in 531st was ordered by a chap called Brant on 14/2/85, delivered 23/3/85. Thats all the info I have from the order book. Most of the original order forms were destroyed in a flood as we moved out of the Workshop at Wallsend in 2005

How great that he is still answering queries on his bikes. What a legend!

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Is it finished yet

 

[winjohn]

Not yet, trying to clear the decks so I can take my time on this one.