Carlton Constellation chrome restoration

[Spokesmann]

Re:

Having trouble keeping up with this astoundingly popular thread...

Today made some progress on smaller details, made a start on cleaning the Milremo sprocket, a 22 tooth affair - going to be fierce on Plymouth's hilly terrain.
Also my decals arrived from H Lloyd. I also made a start on cleaning the rear wheel and freshening up the chrome (or lack of it) on the front forks. Saddle is responding well to plenty of proof ide. Undercarriage is cleaned and re-assembled. Brakes loosely put back together. A few pics to keep the few interested...

The pump is Blumels NOS.

Ive dug out an old Huret lever which will fit on the brazed on gear fitting. This will control a period Huret Allvit rear mech - still to arrive.

 

[Spokesmann]

Re:

Mostly cleaning/polishing components today. rear wheel is responding well to cleaning and de-rusting, tensioned one or two spokes too. Made a start on dealing with the chrome on the frame. I ahem got the forks to as good as I think they will get, too much pitting on the metal. I want to retain as much of the acrylichrome paint as possible. Took a few pics of the other parts to go on the bike. its going to be quite 'red'.

The Williams chain set has come up very well. A thick film of oil had protected the chrome well.

Weinmann 730s look nice. These are a slightly different casting to the later ones I used to have on my Continental.

The B15 saddle is still having a daily dose of proofed, the underside seems to some sort of liner on it.

The fork are looking much better. The whole bike must have look absolutely stunning back in its day...

I have cleaned the GB steam and bars, these now look more presentable.

The brake lever are clean and today, the carlton hoods have an aged look!

 

[Spokesmann]

Re:

Working on the frame chrome. Lots to do, but the headstock/forks are beginning to look a little more presentable now.

 

[Spokesmann]

Re:

Been busy cleaning and tidying the frame as much as I can. Still much to do on it, but it is looking better. I have tacked on a few bits to get a view of the effect I want. The Allvit rear mech arrived yesterday, this is a second generation version and is in great condition. It will be interesting to see how it performs. It would have been fitted to Carltons and Suns of the time. It certainly looks more in keeping with the machine that the tatty Simplex Prestige it replaces. I have also been continuing to clean, degrease and polish the pedals and hubs. Hopefully this bike might be on the road late summer.

The red mudguards have been hanging around in my workshop for a long time...

This still has a lot of grime in the Nervex lugs on the BB shell.
\

The mech fits the Cyclo drop outs neatly...

 

[Spokesmann]

Re:

Ive decided to leave this cycle as a Constellation, too much points to that model rather than the Catalina.

More soon...

 

[MrW]

Re: Carlton Constellation/Catalina chrome restoration

A nice soft (children's) toothbrush is what you need to clean out those lugs

 

[Midlife]

Re: Carlton Constellation/Catalina chrome restoration

Hi Mike

Just out of curiosity have you cast your eye over this thread.........

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=300028

It that's not a carlton I'll eat my hat

Shaun

 

[Spokesmann]

Re: Carlton Constellation/Catalina chrome restoration

A nice soft (children's) toothbrush is what you need to clean out those lugs

I have one at the ready!

 

[Spokesmann]

Re: Carlton Constellation/Catalina chrome restoration

Hi Mike

Just out of curiosity have you cast your eye over this thread.........

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=300028

It that's not a carlton I'll eat my hat

Shaun

Yes that looks to be a Flyer. They did a few chrome bikes Flyer, Clubman and the Catalina all chrome as well as the Constellation. This frame has no trace of Catalina decals, some of the detailing is very similar to my 58 Constellation (except lugs) and the tubing looks better than you may find on a Catalina, i.e. 531, the quality Cyclo drop outs point to something better too. TBH it always involves a bit of guess work with some Carlton models.

 

[daccordimark]

Re: Carlton Constellation/Catalina chrome restoration

It's all coming together nicely Spokesmann - another fine Carlton will soon be turning heads in Plymouth.

Mark.