"Carlton Cyclone" RK, your wisdom please :-)

[Lazarus]

HI RK: I know you'll know this so thought I'd ask outright "what is the lowdown buddy on Carlton Cyclone's please ?". I've just acquired 1 as part of a job lot buy, and to be honest you know that much before 1970 is just not my scene. I recognise the "wraparound rear stays" but thats about it. What tubing for example, 531 ? Your thoughts, or anyone else for that matter on "are they worth saving ?" I look forward to hearing from you if you have the time, yours Laz.

PS: this is the only pic I have, sorry.

 

[biggs682]

looks a nice base for whatever you decide to do with it . some nice large flange hubs always look good .

 

[Midlife]

IIRC the cyclone continued the Carlton line up with names beginning with a soft or hard C/K (Cobra, competition, kermesse, continental etc). It launched late 70's (as I was leaving cycling) so likely had Truwel tubing rather than renolds.........Raleigh bought Carlton to be their lightweight arm so they were always better built with better kit than the "equivalent" raleigh.

I always liked PDI'ing Carltons 9and Falcons) as they were quite nicely finished from the production line.........even the wheels were straihght !

The 70's were not a god time for industrial relations and some manufactureres bikes were shocking !

Now RK will come along and tell me different........

Shaun

 

[Lazarus]

Thanks fellas That's made me think about making her good again. Love to hear more about that tubing NOT being Reynolds etc " RK only adds the missing bits, crosses T's & dots I's, which is always good to know RK never tells folk different, just adds different slants. I quite like "Othelo", lets me see both sides of the coin.

MORE please gents, I'm more than intrigued. Write reams .... "I'll read every word " You guys are thin on the ground, and my sponge head needs to listen to your stories re: bike building 70's-90's. Thanks again, Laz.

 

[Midlife]

Spokesman is the man for Carlton on here.........

http://spokessmann.tripod.com/id11.html

I had a similar bike to that but in chrome (the Cobra model), typical Carlton wrapover and brazed rear for centre puls...... it had Crespera lugs which were quite fancy for factory bikes at the time as they were looking towards more plain lugs...

Truwel is unkindly referred to as Gas Pipe but I swapped the 27X1/14 inch wheels for sprints and tubs and raced mine

Even did Grasstrack on the old Cobra

Shaun

 

[Spokesmann]

A late 70s/early 80s product. Nice enough bike and worth preserving as I always say. The tubing will be nothing exotic but solid and well made. Most parts will be Raleigh branded like the chain set...

Will clean up well and be a reliable mount. Looks quite tidy from the image.

 

[Spokesmann]

PS first thing Id do is loose that 'saddle' and re-introduce the bike to drops...

Here is one thats scrubbed up quite well, with new decals, albeit older design and some well polished components...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36819915@N ... otostream/

 

[Lazarus]

Thank you for the drop by Spokesman. Appreciate the pics too my friend They do seem to scrub up rather well. Truwel tubing. Have to remember that. Heavier than 531 I assume, but strong & reliable. That's the kind of thing I tend to want to "save". Haven't got her in my hands yet, pick it up next week along with 3 others. An OK buy then for £20 ? :roll: My best to you, and I'll upload some real pics when she's with me. Yours Laz.

 

[roadking]

Keepers or..?

Unless a bicycle such as this has sentimental value I would not keep it, Carlton made much better machines than this.

We all know(?)the rationale behind Raleigh's purchase of Carlton; but it wasn't for bikes like this. Many of the Raleigh Carltons were built with Truwell tubing (which was double butted I recall, but not drawn; it was seamed and welded). Truwell tubing was made by TI who owned both Reynolds and Raleigh at the time.

In the 1969/70 season there was a Carlton/Truwell/Campagnolo team - so TI were promoting the tubing.

Ok, only £20. I could fill my huge garage with £20 bikes...what would I have?

A huge garage full of grey porridge. Stay with the top end stuff, spend your time on those artisan works Laz m'boy.

Rk.

P.S I personally wouldn't save an Austin Allegro; this doesn't mean they're nnot worth saving, someone will always have an interest...

 

[Spokesmann]

Please don't ever compare a Carlton to an Allegro, the Carlton is much better designed.