Sun Snipe dating

[thebobajob]

Having recently purchased a Sun Snipe which has some terrible homemade decals (vinyl stickers!) on in order to renovate I have been trying to research into it.

The wheels don't seem to match - rear is smooth rimmed and the front is pattern rimmed - but most of the parts are original as far as I can see with Huret 5 speed gears, Weinmann centre pull breaks and white Sun brake hood covers. It has wrap-over seat stays.

Firstly I am trying to date it. I THINK it is circa 1970 going by the 1970 Sun brochure but is there anyway of doing it from the serial number (3004344) as the link on one post to the Carlton dating doesn't seem to work anymore.

Secondly, does anyone know where I could get some S branded nuts just to add that extra touch? I have seen them on one Sun bike image and on the Carltons.

Thirdly, I am interested in finding out more about the Chris Barber racing team. I have read a bit on here and found a few images bet there seems to be a distinct lack of anything else on the Net. This is more for my father who is also a Jazz Trombonist and a part-time cyclist.

Thanks. Images of the bike I bought is attached.

 

[Midlife]

The numbering system between 1968 and 1973 went completely pants and seems pretty random. Before that there was a letter code and in 1973 they adopted the Raleigh numbering convention. Best thing is to look at brochures or see if any original kit has a date stamp / code.

Shaun

 

[thebobajob]

Re: Dating

Good idea on the dating the parts and not the frame. Thanks for the pointer!

Bob

 

[Midlife]

If it's a Williams chainset they can be dated......

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/co ... ation.html

Shaun

 

[thebobajob]

Thanks Shaun. Once I have got the cotter pin out (had no idea how to do this but watched some helpful videos on YouTube last night) I'll be able to find out what it is hopefully.

 

[Spokesmann]

Bit of a mixture of parts there, the chain wheel looks 50s or 60s to me, the Huret success rear mech is 70s... The Snipe was around in the 60s right through to the 1970s. S-nuts are very hard to come by, Carlton C nuts are nearly as bad, especially in good condition. Cant tell much as the pictures need to be much better and bigger for starters. As Shaun has said numbers went all to cock in the period 68-72. Sun were supposed to have acquired the Carlton numbering with a letter prefix when the marque was built at Worksop from c1962/3, but that doesn't really hold either. I have two Snipes form the early 60s and from around 65 which may be a help for dating and also a source of ideas for restoration if that's your thing. Better close ups would help a lot. Look forward to seeing more!

 

[Top Ghia]

Re:

The stem on your bike is identical to the one on my Carlton which is original from 1971. I saw this bike for sale, looking forward to see how you get on with it.

 

[OldTel]

Re:

Hi, I think you nearly have all the info, just to make you aware the chris barber team has been discussed in an earlier thread. http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... ris+Barber Terry

 

[thebobajob]

Re:

Will get some better pictures taken when I start dismantling it this weekend. The ones posted are from the Ebay listing. I am planning on restoring it and using as many of the parts as possible even if they are a mishmash of years, haven't got too much money to put into it. Colour scheme I have in mind is based around the 1970 catalogue listing.

Thanks all for info and help, much appreciated, and yes I have seen that Chris Barber post thanks OldTel. Seems strange that there seems to be so little info on his team and so few photos anywhere. Found a great one taken from a card called Velo Orchestra but the image is a bit small. Can't find the card for sale anywhere anymore.

Will keep you up-to-date...

 

[bagpuss]

I can supply you with copies of the 1968 & 1969 Sun catalogues for info if you need them .