1953 Ellis Briggs Superbe
- Thread starter nonowt
- Start date
PeterPerfect
Senior Retro Guru
Re: Paint job
I can testify to the quality of their work as well. They're not the quickest but definitely value for money. You'll struggle to get better IMHO.
I can testify to the quality of their work as well. They're not the quickest but definitely value for money. You'll struggle to get better IMHO.
Re:
Thanks for the reassurance. I'm pretty sure it will be going back to Ellis Briggs for a one colour respray and decals - once I get the firmly stuck stem to shift! I've tried wd40 soaking, boiling water and mallet whacking all to no avail...
I'd love to go original two colour plus lining but that's beyond my means. I'm currently thinking Flamboyant Royal Blue ala Ken Russell's bike on Classic Lightweights (I wonder if Ken's win inspired someone from Leigh-on-Sea to go for a Briggs rather than a more local builder).
The bike is now stripped to the BB, headset and stuck stem/bars. So I'm slowly starting to clean up the parts, reshaping and proofiding the Brooks (which Hilary Stone confirms to be pre-WWII) and attacking the rust. The front wheel has come up a treat.
Before and after:
Thanks for the reassurance. I'm pretty sure it will be going back to Ellis Briggs for a one colour respray and decals - once I get the firmly stuck stem to shift! I've tried wd40 soaking, boiling water and mallet whacking all to no avail...
I'd love to go original two colour plus lining but that's beyond my means. I'm currently thinking Flamboyant Royal Blue ala Ken Russell's bike on Classic Lightweights (I wonder if Ken's win inspired someone from Leigh-on-Sea to go for a Briggs rather than a more local builder).
The bike is now stripped to the BB, headset and stuck stem/bars. So I'm slowly starting to clean up the parts, reshaping and proofiding the Brooks (which Hilary Stone confirms to be pre-WWII) and attacking the rust. The front wheel has come up a treat.
Before and after:
Attachments
PeterPerfect
Senior Retro Guru
Re: Stuck stem
Plus Gas to release the stem. Your local bike shop will have some or point you in the right direction.
Plus Gas to release the stem. Your local bike shop will have some or point you in the right direction.
OldFatBastard
Retro Newbie
Re:
Classic beauty! Restore it and ride it...
Classic beauty! Restore it and ride it...
rogerzilla
Retro Guru
Re:
I've always been able to shift stems with a lever (piece of wood to save rhe paint) through the blades at the crown end, working against the bars. Yours might have been stuck for decades, though.
I've always been able to shift stems with a lever (piece of wood to save rhe paint) through the blades at the crown end, working against the bars. Yours might have been stuck for decades, though.
OldFatBastard
Retro Newbie
Had a problem with frozen/stuck seat post and stem - my solution is pouring an ounce of vinegar around the base of part. Possibly some chemical reaction with alloy and steel?Usually works within ten to twenty minutes. Some problem areas may need a second application.
velo6
Retro Newbie
I was so annoyed when I spotted this Ellis Briggs on ebay, because I was sure it was the one from Southend... I gave the chap who sold it a call to buy it, when it went unsold - but someone had collected it the day before.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Ellis ... 1438.l2649
Now I see it is a different frame and the one from Southend actually went to someone who cares
Good luck with the rebuild and I am looking forward to see more. Lovely bike with even better components - if you got it for the starting price (or even under) it was a proper bargain!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Ellis ... 1438.l2649
Now I see it is a different frame and the one from Southend actually went to someone who cares
Good luck with the rebuild and I am looking forward to see more. Lovely bike with even better components - if you got it for the starting price (or even under) it was a proper bargain!
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Re:
I spotted that one too and for a split second thought it was my frame! That one's a top of the range International - crazy price though.
Not much movement with mine. The LBS got to the stem out with plenty of plus has and a vice (destroying the topnut in the process). I had decided on a colour and was hoping to put a Ken Russell decal on for contrast but they are no longer available so I'm having a rethink. Maybe a Poly Azure Blue...
They're a nice mid-50s one on eBay and gumtree at the moment in West Yorkshire.
I spotted that one too and for a split second thought it was my frame! That one's a top of the range International - crazy price though.
Not much movement with mine. The LBS got to the stem out with plenty of plus has and a vice (destroying the topnut in the process). I had decided on a colour and was hoping to put a Ken Russell decal on for contrast but they are no longer available so I'm having a rethink. Maybe a Poly Azure Blue...
They're a nice mid-50s one on eBay and gumtree at the moment in West Yorkshire.
