Mystery Frame - originally with "Martyn Young" name...

sjcprojects

Orange 🍊 Fan
So...yes, it is another "name that frame" post. I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light on the frame maker for me - not sure there's much to go on from the frame details in themselves, or the frame number, but maybe the name Martyn Young will ring a bell with someone?

The frame obviously at some point belonged to a "Martyn Young" - and indeed it seems reasonable to guess it might even be a custom build. When I bought the bike, the name had been removed, but attached here are some pics the seller took before he took the name off and built the bike up.

Frame number is apparently "223" - I say apparently, because I actually can't find the frame number on the BB myself, only the Nervex numbering - seller reckons he might have painted over that area, which is now quite rusted, so the number is not now visible. Also same number on the steering tube, I'm told. A 3-digit number is unusual, so far as I know, but then I also know smaller frame makers sometimes used quite a few variations of numbers, and that also maybe points to it being a custom build?

I'm in Sheffield, and bought the bike in Doncaster, so I figured it was worth a punt on it being a JF Wilson, so I contacted them, but they could only say it might be one of theirs if the frame is actually from the 60's - but their records don't go back far enough to confirm that. I had presumed the frame was newer than that, but maybe not?

What I do know:

Campy dropouts and BB
Nervex Pro lugs, including BB shell
This is a guess, but forks look like later replacements
Probably safe to say it is 531 tubing, but don't know 100%
Rear brake cable guide indicates originally built for centre-pull brakes?
It rides very nicely!

My only other thought was Ellis Briggs, purely because of the Yorkshire connection, but they use 4-digit frame numbers, so I think not, actually.

Any help much appreciated, it's bugging me that I don't know who made this frame! :?
 

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Hi - that's a decent shout, thanks. Just remembered that I had looked at that before, and the frame number doesn't fit with it being a Bob Jackson, though that doesn't rule it out for sure. Also, from a bit of Googling, it looks like BJ have always used less ornate lugs?
 
The lugs look a bit strange to me, almost as if something's been cut off or reshaped down the 'bottom side corners'. With the style of cable guides, cable stops etc. it definitely looks early/mid 60's but the brazed on gear bosses weren't common then. A nice looking frame whatever.
 
Re:

I didn't remove the frame decals, the bloke I bought it off did. I would have kept them on myself - seems a bit of a shame to have removed them, but there you go...

Paul
 
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