1990's 531 Swinnerton (George Longstaff built) - retro-mod build - photos added

[velocipede]

Picked up this rather lovely Swinnerton 531 a couple of weeks ago - it's a George Longstaff built one (I believe Swinnertons were usually built by Longstaff, Mercian, or Paul Washington).

The overall condition is really nice - no dents or dings, hardly any scratches - a tiny bit of crazing to the flam blue paint but otherwise it's in great shape for what I'm guessing is a late 80's build.

At around the same time, I was lucky enough to acquire two donor bikes bought from an older couple aho had moved across to e-bikes; matching Dolan Preffisio bikes with exactly the same specs - full SRAM Apex 10 speed groupsets - so my plan was to use the kit from the smaller of these two bikes (simply because that one was in virtually unridden condition so groupset is superb) and save the other for another 531 build.

I was planning to use a Deda ahead converter and would also need some downtube cable stops, new cables obviously, but in the main the transfer of parts looked pretty straightforward. Also planning to use some parts I already had in the parts bin - Brooks C17, a nice Ritchey stem and some tasty (and comfy) Easton EA70 bars.....

The ahead conversion won't be to everyone's taste but I had a nice stem and bar combo that I wanted to make use of so the Cinelli bars and stem I have can wait to go on the next build I have planned.

Overall the plan is to come up with something that will benefit from a handbuilt, 531 frame from a great builder, the with modern practicality of brifters and a compact chainset and associated gear range -

Here's the frame and the donor bike and parts - more news to follow!

 

[peetee]

I remember seeing that listed and was tempted but wasn’t convinced enough that it was really a Longstaff. Had it been lugless - something he really excels at - I probably would have investigated further.
Well done for getting it though. A lovely frame regardless.

 

[velocipede]

I remember seeing that listed and was tempted but wasn’t convinced enough that it was really a Longstaff. Had it been lugless - something he really excels at - I probably would have investigated further.
Well done for getting it though. A lovely frame regardless.

He definitely didn’t do his “finest” work when he built for others - I’ve seen a a few GL Swinnertons and none are lugless - having said that, I’ve owned a couple of Longstaff frames that were relatively “basic” or “plain” and they were very much like this one - I guess when he was building for others he would have been doing them to a cost an not putting quite as much into it - nevertheless, it’s a lovely frame and you can tells it’s had some effort out in to file and refine the lugs, not so much the BB, which again says it was built to a cost point -

The ride is fab though - absolutely love it - it’s going to be my ride in the Ride Across Britain next year - it’s that comfortable

 

[velocipede]

Here's some photos - taken after the first 5 mile shake-down ride - rides beautifully - really pleased with it & as above it'll be doing the End to End next year:

 

[CTK]

Thats a beaut

 

[velocipede]

Had a change of heart - decided to fit the Cinelli bars and stem afterall - and pleased I have - really sets it off -

 

[Nob]

Had a change of heart - decided to fit the Cinelli bars and stem afterall - and pleased I have - really sets it off -

That looks Ssoooooooooo much better

 

[velocipede]

Thanks @Nob - funnily enough it rides/suits me a bit better too with the slightly narrower bars (much to my surprise) - so all round a good move

 

[velocipede]

Just a few more pics….