Mystery chromed mid 80s bike with a 'T' serial number and engraved 'M' - Bob Read Cycles stickered

[sjcprojects]

Yes, it does make sense. I was expecting a UK maker, but there's no reason why a bike shop here wouldn't import frames from elsewhere if the price was right. Or, perhaps just as likely, the frame was rebadged with the bike shop decals at some point. It had quite an odd selection of parts on it, so it was definitely built up from the frameset by the shop or the customer, anyway.

 

[non-fixie]

The serial number has me wondering who the actual maker was, as it looks decidedly Asian.

In which case the first two or three digits would be significant. "T" could be a manufacturer or a fortnight indicator. "8" or "80" could be a year.

Perhaps @dihummer has a clue?

 

[sjcprojects]

Indeed, the serial is what made me mention the Far East in my first post. 1980 would certainly be very possible as a year, I would think. Maybe this is an example of a frameset made in Asia, exported to Belgium, and then finally to Doncaster here in the UK. In which case, I suppose it would be an example of the increasing globalisation of supply chains...

 

[non-fixie]

Or maybe just a bloke in Doncaster having fun with a die set. "This will have them scratching their heads for a while!"

 

[sjcprojects]

Or maybe just a bloke in Doncaster having fun with a die set. "This will have them scratching their heads for a while!"

I'm not ruling that out as a possibility!