stamped geometry frame markings

[Midlife]

Crespera lugs were 1968 to 1974 IIRC, the over BB cable routing, nutted brakes on that frame is certainly that era.

Carlton sold off kit in the 80's when they closed so there is the odd bike with Capella lugs from that era, Raleigh SBDU bikes also nicked the Capella lug.

Aside from that; Massed Start, Capella , Flyer, Crespera etc lugs only appeared on Carlton made bikes.

What is it being sold as?

Shaun

 

[Diamant_Don]

Hi Shaun,

It's being sold as an Ian May (Wirral builder from 1981-ish to 1997).

Ian May built his own frames, but also bought loads in - apparently, he bought older bikes, too, towards the end of the business and rebadged and resprayed as Ian Mays.

So, it's reasonable to suppose that this bike began life as a Carlton - unless the seller is lying and this never was an Ian May badged bike.

I wouldn't bid on the price he wants (£100), but thought a cheeky offer may be in order as a project bike, to keep my other Ian May company.

 

[Midlife]

The long dropouts at the rear put it before the 80's

Anything half decent built from 1978-9 onwards either had short Portacatena dropouts or the shorter Campag 1010 dropouts.

Probably one of these .....................

Shaun

 

[Diamant_Don]

Hi Shaun,

Thanks again - that does look a likely suspect.

Here's a few more seller pics:

Apparently the drop-outs are Shimano. Sound right?

So what's this beast worth as a Carlton in need of a new paint job, bearing in mind the components I listed earlier in the thread?

Once again I find myself in awe of RetroBike knowledge! Ta guys

 

[Midlife]

Shimano dropouts have a smaller triangle than those IIRC........

Still looks like a Carlton, sorry

Shaun

 

[Spokesmann]

Re: Re:

Spokesmann, thanks!

In your esteemed opinion,is this a Carlton then?

It wasn't listed as a Carlton, but I know the 'maker' bought bikes 'in the rough' and sprayed/badged them as his own.

What era would you say? I thought mid 80s?

Its not crying out Carlton to me, its hard to see the lug details for a start. I can just about make out a 'Crespera shaped lug'...

Its a big frame and as far as I know only the Continental was made in that size, if so the forks look wrong, the rake is too shallow, more in keeping with a TT or track bike. It may well be later machine as has been alluded, in which case they did offer larger frames...

Looking at this further it has cast rear drop outs which point to a better frame than a Continental... Bit of a mystery so far...

Any better images?

 

[Diamant_Don]

Re:

Spokesmann, no more images I'm afraid. That's the seller's complete range!

Thanks

 

[dorset boy]

Re:




Dawes Galaxy Reynolds 531,mid 80's I think.
Mike.

 

[Diamant_Don]

Re:

Sawed, eh? Interesting - lugs and markings look very similar. Cheers

 

[Spokesmann]