Mystery Frame

[fullbasement]

Hi, I picked up this bike at the local dump shop, mainly because it was cheap and I wanted the tyres. I have since found out that it is a 27" frame with 700c wheels on it, there is no serial number that I can find and it has been suggested that it might be a Bertin frame, any help to identify the frame is appreciated.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

RGF is the brand of the bottom bracket shell. A nice frame, made for bar end shifters. Is the seat post and handlebar stem free and not seized? Frame looks to be 1960s, possibly 50s but I don't think so. Modern bottom bracket has been fitted which is why the left hand cup sticks out. Edit, needs a lock ring which will cover most but not all of the cup. Modern shell standard is 68mm the older shells ranged from 64-65mm. Put a spacer on the right hand cup when re fitting. Wish our tip sold bike. A nice find with some nice parts.

 

[Canuk]

It's a nice quality frame, RGF well known investment cast bottom bracket. Identifying a frame without decals/badge or a relatively standard serial number is a challenge. But not impossible

Our local dump gives bikes away (they've got an open back van goes round the town once a week collecting) - which is why I never go there!

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

RGF bottom bracket shells are not investment cast.

https://classicrendezvous.com/country-of-origin/france/rgf/

 

[Canuk]

Hi, I picked up this bike at the local dump shop, mainly because it was cheap and I wanted the tyres. I have since found out that it is a 27" frame with 700c wheels on it, there is no serial number that I can find and it has been suggested that it might be a Bertin frame, any help to identify the frame is appreciated.

Having a look at the seat stay caps and the RGF bracket, it does put me in mind of a quality Raleigh from the 1970s (Raleigh used these caps and the brackets on a number of models), which has perhaps been modified later on with braze on additions. Heres the seat stay cap from an Raleigh road frame. What's the frame number?

 

[Canuk]

RGF brackets and Nervex lugs were also a very common feature on French quality frames from 1940s-1970s.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

One thing this bike isn't is a 1970s Raleigh. If it's French then bottom bracket will be french thread, quill stem will be 22.0mm as opposed to the English 22.2mm. Tube size's differ also.

 

[Canuk]

I'm pretty firm on a British bike - there's not a single piece of french equipment on it, and the headset looks a standard Shimano 105, again likely British threaded. It does have the look of a few Flying Scots I've seen (and owned), here's a A registered (1951) Flying Scot with virtually identical lugs and fork crown, they also used this pattern of seat stay cap. You'll find the frame number under the bracket and/or behind the fork crown on the nut side