Old cross bike - hole in down tube

[Johnsqual]

Hello,

I came across an old bike which I think is a cross bike. It has cantis, big clearances and tyres with profile. Doesn't look like a tourer to me. Also seems to be fillet brazed/welded.
Seller says it's 1930s, but components suggest to me it's more like 1940s.

Main issue is that there's a hole in the down tube about 1/3 the way up from
the bb. See pictures. It doesn't seem from the photos to be corrosion, but I may be wrong.

What do people think? Is the frame wrecked by the hole? What purpose might it serve?

Thanks for looking and for any comments.

Johnny

 

[mattsccm]

I would have guessed that thats a boss for something thats been damaged.
Firstly I'll qualify my points by saying that there are exceptions to every rule!!
I would suspect that the idea of a CX bike from that period is unlikely. At that time most bikes would have been more general purpose and this is most likely to be something used for everything. If its 30's I would question the use of cantis as they we very much a continental thing although Resilions were about as much as anything. They clamped on though.
What makes you think its so old?
lets have more pics.

 

[Piperdave]

Really need more pics of this.

Bottle carrier?

D

 

[Old Ned]

If it's a tourer then could it be a fixing point for a Primus Stove carrier? I'm sure there was a 'wotsit' made to attach to a tube.

 

[Johnsqual]

Thanks for quick replies.

I only posted one picture because I wanted to know first of all if the hole in the frame meant this was a write off before I get carried away with this one.

I think the RD is a simplex tour de france, which is from late 1940's afaik.
Later than what the seller says but still pretty old.

Brand of cantis is 'Bowden Luxe', not found anything about them. I do recall seeing a picture of Anquetil riding a TT bike with cantis - maybe to save weight?

Is it possible the hole is to attach an old lever operated front derailleur?

Besides the tyres, I thought it was a cross bike because of the clearances and the tyres, which seem to have a profile to them. It could be wishful thinking - I have been looking for proper old cross bikes for ages.

Here are some more pics.

 

[Johnsqual]

Couple more pictures...

 

[Piperdave]

It'as a GT :twisted:

 

[Old Ned]

It'as a GT :twisted:

'Hellenic' design frames were around a LONG time before GT 're-invented' them. But a very interesting frame. Is there no name anywhere (head tube 'badge)?

Interesting brakes, are the 'straddle wires' solid wire? Cantis were used to save weight, even Laurent Fignon used them on mountain stages of the Tour de France on occasion. My 70's TT bike had them as well.

The only front mech that I can think of that MIGHT need a hole in the down-tube COULD be a Vittoria Margherita but I'll need to look through some photos.

The hole could easily be repaired by a competent repairer. Having seen some of the frames that Chris Marshall has refurbished this would be a doddle

 

[Jonny69]

That is a very very cool bike. Doesn't look like the hole was caused by corrosion to me because it is too round and not jaggedy enough. I probably wouldn't bother filling it, but any competent welder would be able to weld something flush in there and dress it back like new.

 

[Lysander]

It'as a GT :twisted:

Damn you! *shakes fist* :x

I was just going to say that it was an authentic Zaskar!!