First post here, so please be gentle. I have recently come into possession of a touring type bike. The decals on the frame say that it is a Roberts with 531 tubing (handbuilt). The Roberts decals are the only identifiers on the frame, along with a 6 digit frame number on the bottom bracket and fork stem that follows the format for a 1995 bike (951242). Having spent time trying to identify the bike, I believe that if it was a Roberts that the frame would be stamped somewhere with an R, or Roberts, or the logo embossed on the frame - it has none of these and I know how easy it would be to just get decals and put them on to deceive someone. I have found images of Roberts bikes with same/similar head tube lugs from 1988 and 1994 and the cable guides look similar, however, the frame is also lacking the bosses for the downtube gear levers that I have seen on every Roberts bike so far. The bottom bracket has Everest stamped on it - I know this to be a make of BB, did Roberts ever use Everest BBs?
The frame has has a bit of a hard life with a few dents here and there that I have managed to remove - bike now needs a respray. It also has some nice components on and I do intend to rebuild the bike, replace necessary components and use it, but do I rebuild it as a Roberts and put new decals on it or just leave it blank if it's not a Roberts? Hopefully some experts will be along to give me an indication as to what the frame is.
Thanks
The frame has has a bit of a hard life with a few dents here and there that I have managed to remove - bike now needs a respray. It also has some nice components on and I do intend to rebuild the bike, replace necessary components and use it, but do I rebuild it as a Roberts and put new decals on it or just leave it blank if it's not a Roberts? Hopefully some experts will be along to give me an indication as to what the frame is.
Thanks