lastpubrunner
Retro Guru
Hi,
I have a Rory O'Brien bike, but so far, I've not managed to find anything about either the bike or Rory O'Brien.
I believe that the bike dates back to the early 1960s. It has a nice Brooks Colt saddle and the original Bluemels mudguards. (Is the Brooks Colt a 'lesser' model in relation to the B17? Where did it 'sit' {pardon pun} in the Brooks range ?).
The headset is Campagnolo. It has 26" wheels.
It has no badge on the headset, though it looks as if one may have been there many years ago.
It has nice curved lugwork on the headset; by the seat post & on the bottom bracket. These are shaped a bit like a Fleur De Lis. (There is probably a name for this, but I don't know it). On the front of the headset, the lugwork becomes a long downwards pointing spear.
I can't see any serial numbers, but under the bottom bracket is stamped the letter 'M' or possibly 'E'; it looks rather like two overlapping semicircles. Should I look elsewhere for identification marks ?
The only identification it carries is the name 'Rory O'Brien' on the downtube.
I would be greatful if anyone could tell me anything about the bike. Who is/was Rory O'Brien ? Did he make the frame or was it a model name for another manufacturer ? Will it have Reynolds tubing ? What sort of quality are these bikes ?
Thank you for any information.
I have a Rory O'Brien bike, but so far, I've not managed to find anything about either the bike or Rory O'Brien.
I believe that the bike dates back to the early 1960s. It has a nice Brooks Colt saddle and the original Bluemels mudguards. (Is the Brooks Colt a 'lesser' model in relation to the B17? Where did it 'sit' {pardon pun} in the Brooks range ?).
The headset is Campagnolo. It has 26" wheels.
It has no badge on the headset, though it looks as if one may have been there many years ago.
It has nice curved lugwork on the headset; by the seat post & on the bottom bracket. These are shaped a bit like a Fleur De Lis. (There is probably a name for this, but I don't know it). On the front of the headset, the lugwork becomes a long downwards pointing spear.
I can't see any serial numbers, but under the bottom bracket is stamped the letter 'M' or possibly 'E'; it looks rather like two overlapping semicircles. Should I look elsewhere for identification marks ?
The only identification it carries is the name 'Rory O'Brien' on the downtube.
I would be greatful if anyone could tell me anything about the bike. Who is/was Rory O'Brien ? Did he make the frame or was it a model name for another manufacturer ? Will it have Reynolds tubing ? What sort of quality are these bikes ?
Thank you for any information.
) a bike shop called Rory O'Brien's in Romford, Essex. 
