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My first pair of sprints were Harden hubs with Constrictor rims and chrome spokes. The rear hub was double fixed but I used it with a screw on block - until the hub thread stripped! The Constrictor rims were very deep and light tubulars of the day (not that I had many!) were almost swallowed up!

Steel Merlin (made by Bob Jackson in Leeds) or an American (probably titanium) one?

A pro-rider's bike - with 'safety' brake levers and a speedo? Hmm, not to sure about that. 14500 miles isn't that far for a 'proper' road pro. Probably about a year's worth at the very least. What bike is it?

The fork crown is a fairly common one used by many builders. The wrap-over seat stays do look like they could be from the Holdsworthy stable (Claud Butler, Holdsworth, Freddie Grubb) and remember that Holdsworth built for the trade so many shops (including possibly Jack Hearne) would have...

Nice frame. The round forks, double crown and rear facing ends point to it being built as a 'road/path' frame for general fixed gear use. The gear hanger may have been fitted later by someone wanting to use gears as well. I fitted gears to an old JRJ road/path frame when I was a lad for...

Could be from the Prestige mechs. There were two versions at least. The first were all plastic in a sort of geometric shape - they snapped. The second were more 'normal' with a metal clip. Your piccies should confirm.

Is that an early Stronglight cotterless axle with the threads on the axle end? I had a couple MANY years ago when I were nobbutt' a lad - and I reckon they were a few years old then! Or is it some modern 'budget' axle?

All lovely bikes - but much to small for me as well! And Mrs ON would have a fit if I acquired another bike (or two.....:rolleyes:...)

That's a shame, definitely to small. I wonder who originally owned it, perhaps I know/knew them. I was going on to say that Mick Donovan sold the shop to Hargreaves Cycles (based in Dewsbury and still in business). This was, I think, around 1980 and he then became a sales agent for...

What size is it? For me it would have to be 22.5" to 23.5". Whereabouts are you?

This was the local bike shop to me BITD. When we moved to Wakey at the end of '71 it was only Mick Donovan running the shop. The Rushworth name (can't remember his first name!! He was Val Rushworth's husband. Val was a top lady rider and became a trusted local coach) had gone by then. The...

I've probably seen Ken riding that! Ken was the original owner of Kendell Cycles in Castleford before Gary Proud took it over. Ken was often at the local cafes a year or two back when I was getting out regularly.

Dave Akam I believe. A High Wycombe clubmate of mine back around '68/69 had a Ron Cooper that he bought from the man himself, previously ridden by a very good - but soon to disappear from the racing scene - young rider named Steve Smith from Woolwish CC (I think?). When he took the 'bar tape...

First time I've read right through this thread, very interesting, particularly Mike Mullett's article. I've a recollection of visiting the Raleigh Head Office some time in the early/mid '80's and seeing a team bike in the foyer. Was it Zootemelk's bike?

I understand that Rick is working with Dave Marsh on frame repairs and the like. A friend has had a couple of frames repaired by him.

A bit after my time there, Chris's Dad Keith was a regular 'rival' although rather speedier than me at the time. My era 'fast men' were Charlie McCoy, Dave Allan, Brian Green, Geoff Hughes amongst many others. My first 'inside' ride (just inside!) was July '68 on the Bath Road course. I then...

Merseyside and North Wales '62 - '67. West London, Bath Rd etc. '68'-'70. Back to Merseyside (and also venturing to K16, K8 at times) '70 - '71. Yorkshire '72 - 2012. A few 'semi-retirements' occasionally at odd periods. Packed in racing end of 2012 due to getting pneumonia and deciding I...

Very nice, I like a good period 'proper' TT bike. Takes me back to my youth (and a bit later!). Where did you ride most of your TT's BITD?

Yes, there were two, both of them very good riders. It got quite confusing at times. Good job they never rode for the same club!