1987/8 'Welsh' British Eagle 531 'Force 18'

[Ciclista772]

It's not a bad bike, derailleur hanger is a little bent and needs straightening out and the seat post top clamp is beyond saving, I've ridden it a couple of times, just needs a bit of TLC and new cabling. Decals are all missing except for the reynolds badges and a British Eagle sticker on the down tube. I had ideas of fat tyres and cafe racer bars and a brooks, but as i've struggled to find much info about it and also the fact that it is from God's Country I'll probably leave it as it is for now.

 

[xxnick1975]

That a rare beast, no bosses for cantis either

 

[legrandefromage]

Heres the one I stupidly sold, built by a chap called Jeremy Torr viewtopic.php?t=44909

 

[kingoffootball]

Both very nice (as of course is that Jeremy Torr). Your bike deserves its own thread Ciclista, it would be good to see more pictures.

 

[legrandefromage]

Been playing with this, no pics yet, found the crappy 'Painters Touch' is an almost exact colour match for the original pink. Expect redone forks if the weather holds today.

Frame is light - for a 1980's 531 build (and I've had a few!) it is very light. I will weigh it today just to see and take some close ups of the detailing. The build quality is quite high but the choice of paint isnt.

If it wasnt for the British Eagle brand name, this would have been quite sort after, perhaps its better than an Evans or Overbury's and up there with the SBDU Raleigh, viewtopic.php?f=6&t=293496&hilit=sbdu yet overlooked because of a name.

 

[legrandefromage]

Re:

Some close ups of the frame details. Completely different approach to other frames I have had from this era. Properly handbuilt with all the touches of somebody who actually thought about their work.

 

[legrandefromage]

Slowly does it

 

[letmetalktomark]

Ready for the gates ride?

 

[legrandefromage]

Its a bit small and a bit wonky but very possibly