Stokes of london 1950's 4 speed?

[dazaa]

This one finally reached the front of the to do pile. I think it's a 1950's bike? Looks like it was green with chrome bits on the forks and rear triangle. I noticed it is much lighter than any gas pipe bike I've seen. The brakes are Donhou(spelling?) and appear to be worth a few quid, rear mech is Huret, the brooks saddle is a bit worn but certainly still usable. I'm not quite sure what to do with it, I don't have the time to restore it and can't see anyone else wanting to take this on since Stokes don't appear to be well known. Would I better off just selling the brakes and using the rest as the basis for a single speed beater bike?

Or am I totally wrong and is this actually a really collectible bike?

 

[Diamant_Don]

Re:

Don't use it as a beater bike! I reckon, from the photos, that this would make a lovely retro racer when cleaned up and restored. Some nice touches there suggest a good build...

 

[OldTel]

Re:

Hi, lovely project, don't rush at it, its a piece of history, a rare frame but more than likely 1940's, and the brakes are probably doherty but its a good opportunity to do a full vintage restore, and they don't come along like this very often. Terry

 

[Bats]

This isn't some generic 80s gaspiper you can SS with no loss. This is something a bit more special than that.

Noticed you got a Mega CD in your workshop? Tasty.

 

[quiet mike]

Re:

That has the makings of being a lovely lightweight! Just clocked the rusty chainset as the same as on my Jim Guard, a french Durax Supercourse. Lovely fluted cranks. Looks just postwar, early '50's?

Nice bacon slicer hubs, and are those aluminium rims as well? This would have been a good spec racer back in the day.

Agree with everyone else on here, a piece of history that needs preserving.

 

[quiet mike]

Mine current project is the same vintage, and in similar condition >

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=277100

 

[Old Ned]

Re: Re:

That has the makings of being a lovely lightweight! Just clocked the rusty chainset as the same as on my Jim Guard, a french Durax Supercourse. Lovely fluted cranks. Looks just postwar, early '50's?

Nice bacon slicer hubs, and are those aluminium rims as well? This would have been a good spec racer back in the day.

Agree with everyone else on here, a piece of history that needs preserving.

I think the hubs could be Racelite ones? The frame has some very nice lugwork and appears to be a worthwhile restoration project with some interesting components. PossiblyTitan Maes bars? The rear mech is a Huret Svelto and is a later (probably 70's) addition.

 

[Jonny69]

Beautiful!

I agree with the above - there is too much of it surviving to let it become a SS beater.

If it were mine (and sadly it isn't, because I'd love a bike like that!) I'd re-lace the wheels with some new spokes; polish up any aluminium to a dull shine; new tyres, chain, cables and brake blocks; clean and repack the bearings; slather that Brooks in Proofide and clean everything else with oil and grease. No new paint: it'll look great with that patina!

 

[dazaa]

Re:

The rims are indeed alu, the bars are "strada". It certainly deserves more than I can give her, and I am currently working a deal with an rb member who wishes to restore it! Watch this space!

Daz

 

[keithglos]

Re:

My best guess is late 1940s, class frame.

Keith