Date Identification - Frank Lipscombe

[Christoph2.8i]

I am trying to identify a build date for my Frank Lipscombe bicycle that my Dad purchased second hand in 1974 ish.

We checked the bottom bracket casing and it is stamped with “531A” which I initially thought may be linked to the build date (1953) but I assume this is actually related to the Reynolds tubing used?

Here are a few photos. Any ideas?
Chris

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Have a look at Classic Lightweights entry for Frank. Interesting about your frame number maybe. Less so if you compare your frame's lugs to those which he preferred.
I wonder if yours is "badge only" job?
Have you any provenance?

 

[Christoph2.8i]

Have a look at Classic Lightweights entry for Frank. Interesting about your frame number maybe. Less so if you compare your frame's lugs to those which he preferred.
I wonder if yours is "badge only" job?
Have you any provenance?

Thanks for the reply, yes they are Prugnat lugs which I know he used when building frames. The bike itself was purchased in around 1975 from Brian Wilkins in Gidea Park (Essex). Brian bought the business from Frank in early 1973. My dad remembers buying the bike and knows it’s a genuine Frank lipscombe frame.

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Thanks for the reply, yes they are Prugnat lugs which I know he used when building frames. The bike itself was purchased in around 1975 from Brian Wilkins in Gidea Park (Essex). Brian bought the business from Frank in early 1973. My dad remembers buying the bike and knows it’s a genuine Frank lipscombe frame.

Ahh! Prugnat of course. And excellent provenance.

 

[chickendrumsticks]

I am trying to identify a build date for my Frank Lipscombe bicycle that my Dad purchased second hand in 1974 ish.

We checked the bottom bracket casing and it is stamped with “531A” which I initially thought may be linked to the build date (1953) but I assume this is actually related to the Reynolds tubing used?

Here are a few photos. Any ideas?
Chris

Could it be 5314?

 

[Christoph2.8i]

Could it be 5314?

You could have a very valid point there, I’ll check later to see if that’s the case.

 

[Christoph2.8i]

Definitely looks like “531A” to me - I converted to black and white as it made the stamp clearer. What do you think?

 

[Christoph2.8i]

So today I removed the forks from the frame in an attempt to locate a build date for the F.Lipscombe.

The 531A stamp was present on the fork which matches the frame, tieing back to my assumption that this stamp is the Reynolds tubing.

Further up the steerer tube was another clear stamp - 204170, assuming this means it’s a 1970 built frame?.

My dad bought this bike second hand from Brian Wilkins in around 1974 so ties in.

The stronglite headset was in remarkable condition.

Thanks
Chris