A beautiful original SBDU 753 Time Trial Special SB1500

[originalshinkicker]

There is no question about renovating this one, it doesn't need any work - it is in amazing condition for a 40 year old frame.

 

[Midlife]

Class . My Jackson TT has the brake bolt brazed on front and rear, is that just on the rear of yours? Unusual square brake bridge as well.

 

[originalshinkicker]

Yes, just fitted to the rear. The fork is standard.

 

[Midlife]

Ah, good old Andrew Hague. Titanium if memory serves. .

 

[Rod_Saetan]

I love how dedicated you are to the Marque, such a great collection and you're so knowledgable about it too. Thanks for sharing!

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

To quote....

A thing of beauty is a joy forever :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[originalshinkicker]

Thank you for the comments everyone, it really is a gorgeous frame. It came with an almost unused EDCO Competition headset, the Andrew Hague bits and Caliper arms and this cut down early Super Record Fluted 2 Bolt seat pin...

 

[originalshinkicker]

It also came with an interesting story that appears to be correct.

This frame was given to Ken Evans (Cycling Editor) by Gerald O'Donovan. It appears to be one of two frames built by the SBDU to use at Harrogate in 1977. This snippet from an article about the show has an SBDU frame in the foreground and an SBDU bike in the background. I believe that mine is the built up bike at the back as the front frame has a standard rear brake bridge. I think they built this frame to be light; everything about this frame is light, they made the frame detail more interesting than normal SBDU.



The transfer layout of these frames is slightly different to standard Time Trial Special frames. The seat tube of the frame in the article has two Red/Black/Yellow TI-Raleigh coloured bands above and below the seat tube badge, with the Ilkeston oval at the base of the seat tube instead of the chain stays - identical to SB1500. The frame number of SB1500 also comes from this period of 1977. You can just about make out that Ilkeston oval on the bike at the back of the picture. If you squint you can also make out a single drilled chain ring. The fork column of SB1500 is stamped with 'SH' or 'HS' depending on how you hold the fork.



After Ken passed away, this and other frames he had such as a Hand built Carlton TT frame were put in the loft - that is where a slight bit of moisture has got to some areas of the paint.

 

[Spokesmann]

Very classy indeed. Top notch.

 

[Midlife]

I went to Harrogate in 1977 . Love the black EDCO headset, like the gold ones the black was rare. I had to slum it with a silver one lol

Is the paint really thin and almost see through in places?