Sir Neil d'Menture
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Does anyone know anything about this firm?
Long story short...BIL has bought a place in France. In an outhouse is a Wonder bike, in "distressed" condition.
It obviously hasn't been ridden for a while although the bearings are still smooth and free.
It has two brakes and the rear wheel is a single free, not fixed. However there is something odd with the wheels. They are definitely rod brake rims but being ridden with rim brakes. Wear on the brake blocks shows that it has been ridden for some time like this.
Tinterweb throws up little snippets about this firm but nothing of great note.
There are three possible courses of action here...
1) Clean and tidy it and use it as a hack bike in rural France.
2) Spend some time, effort and money to totally refurbish and rebuild it, always assuming that appropriate parts can be sourced.
3) Take it to the tip!
There is no number under the BB shell and the simple lugs may indicate a relatively low end bike.
Pedals and Chainwheel appear to be in-house as they sport the "W" logo. Brakes are Mafac Racer which could well be a later addition.
There is a grease port, but no nipple. Maybe this was an oil port that has lost its lid??
Saddle is by Brown but is probably beyond use.
Lots of rust and being 21" is far too small for me so maybe I won't become involved.
Does anyone know anything about these bikes and can you throw any light on the age, history and quality of the bike?
Long story short...BIL has bought a place in France. In an outhouse is a Wonder bike, in "distressed" condition.
It obviously hasn't been ridden for a while although the bearings are still smooth and free.
It has two brakes and the rear wheel is a single free, not fixed. However there is something odd with the wheels. They are definitely rod brake rims but being ridden with rim brakes. Wear on the brake blocks shows that it has been ridden for some time like this.
Tinterweb throws up little snippets about this firm but nothing of great note.
There are three possible courses of action here...
1) Clean and tidy it and use it as a hack bike in rural France.
2) Spend some time, effort and money to totally refurbish and rebuild it, always assuming that appropriate parts can be sourced.
3) Take it to the tip!
There is no number under the BB shell and the simple lugs may indicate a relatively low end bike.
Pedals and Chainwheel appear to be in-house as they sport the "W" logo. Brakes are Mafac Racer which could well be a later addition.
There is a grease port, but no nipple. Maybe this was an oil port that has lost its lid??
Saddle is by Brown but is probably beyond use.
Lots of rust and being 21" is far too small for me so maybe I won't become involved.
Does anyone know anything about these bikes and can you throw any light on the age, history and quality of the bike?
I recognise some of this .... and have a bit of experience with barn finds and old French bikes.
