The British bike thread

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

(First British bike was a Raleigh Arena with 24" wheels & 5-speed Huret gearing - got through a few miles of paper rounds.)

The John Perks is something of the blueprint we would only dream about in the early 80s & never afford: 531db, centre-pulls, Suntour, B17, & l/f hubs.
Tubing & frame building from the cycling heartland of Brum. Frame angles measured at 73/73.5 - handling is fantastic.
View attachment 974986

Very pretty

 

[Mark south wales]

Not sure how many l can load as they're quite large files,

any chance of some pics of the stickers, for my xc trail please butty?

 

[Mark south wales]

out and about on my Holland Spec, 1984 Raleigh Superbe

 

[bikeworkshop]

Can't remember if post-uk- manufacture was acceptable, but this feller... the Dawes Sardar...

has finally got the discs he was made for.
British brand, with Tubing made in UK iirc
Interestingly, although it's an IS disc mount, they hadn't spaced it correctly, so the rotor fouled the fork and the caliper fouled the rotor.
This is probably why the production bikes ended up with cantis
Early days, many bikes were a pita to diskify.

We were obliged to redish and respace the front wheel.
Now ready to Gravel

 

[paton]

Arthur Caygill frames

 

[AngieMc]

My Dawes Street Sharp which I bought for £80 recently. Plan to respray in denim blue with purple lugs and accents. Not sure though it will go well with the black rims and drive chain ......decisions, decisions

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

My Dawes Street Sharp which I bought for £80 recently. Plan to respray in denim blue with purple lugs and accents. Not sure though it will go well with the black rims and drive chain ......decisions, decisions View attachment 975929View attachment 975931View attachment 975932

Welcome to RB. That's in really nice condition. I'd be inclined to leave that original and find a project if you want to paint a bike, feel free to post more pictures. You can have 10 pictures in a single post.

 

[bikeworkshop]

My Dawes Street Sharp which I bought for £80 recently. Plan to respray in denim blue with purple lugs and accents. Not sure though it will go well with the black rims and drive chain ......decisions, decisions View attachment 975929View attachment 975931View attachment 975932

That pearlescent paint is period-perfect, and in reasonable order - I hope you can save it!

 

[AngieMc]

I'm glad for your input as I was really wanting a project but as you say the paintwork is in good condition. I do have another project, a tiny Raleigh Chloe that really does need a paint job so I'll take your advice and leave as it is. The Chloe was only £25 and it wouldn't be a disaster if I made a mess.

The worst parts of the Dawes were the decals on the downtubes. Very scuffed. I've given it a quick degrease and I've taken off one side of the decals and already it looks much smarter. I will persevere with the other side then get replacements made in town. Not sure whether to replace them all? The on / off road I like but is it necessary ? They're still on at the moment.

I will just update it with matching grips and outer cables in turquoise to pick out the logo. And v-brakes as I'd feel safer with them.

 

[AngieMc]

That pearlescent paint is period-perfect, and in reasonable order - I hope you can save it!

Yes, mind made up, it will be kept as is, just with replacement decals for the down tube. Glad you like it. I've suddenly fallen in love with mixtes and step-throughs as I head to my sixties. Previously I dismissed them as "just for girly girls" . The guy I bought my £25 Raleigh Chloe from says he thinks he has a small frame ladies Galaxy that if like and when he can get to it (he has 40 bikes ) he will let me know. I've never found a Galaxy in my size despite looking for a couple of years.