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Thursday evening. Shed full, projects none, noodling on here and ebay when somebody flags this up. Took me two minutes to hit the button. Just up the road and sufficiently cheap to take a punt. Mrs HM off to see her mother Friday morning until Saturday afternoon. Perfect smuggling opportunity! I explain my mission the Frank the seller who totally gets it. Little did I know just how much he got! Next morning. Wave off the wife, walk the hounds, 45 mins drive and Frank is waving me down as he pulls onto his drive in his Kangoo with permanent but empty rear bike rack. Looks promising. We walk along the garden path as I survey the estate. The whole of which is literally head height in well stacked parts. He explains that he keeps the sale ones inside and nips in while I take a quick snap.
Apparently Frank, now 72, was involved in a car accident a few years ago that led to his being unfit for work. Having time on his hands he started to collect and repair bikes. Mrs Frank now wants a little space back hence the sales.
And so to the Ranger. Best £45 i ever spent. Having now properly read the viewtopic.php?f=1&t=260739 i realise just how significant this bike is.
I pop it in the car and head for home. I hide it in the back of the shed, thinking it will make a great winter project. I have work to do. Despite my best efforts, having such a massive reason for task avoidance and wanting to try it out wins the day. Drag out the bits, re assemble, couple of pics,
couple of question threads and here we are.
Made a few changes to get everything to work. So i could ride before I invested further. Mechs changed, 7spd wheels 'dropped' in. Just been out for a bit of a ride and absolutely loved it. I'm 6'3" and 17 (cough) stone. A lovely long relaxed and classy ride. Under all that crappy paint is a really nicely made 531ATB that deserves some love and to be ridden.
Shifters cope with 7spd
Just a little bit of clearance
Lost lugs. Knurled thumb wheel headset adjustment.
Decision made. I have 130 OLD wheels on way and will strip and get it blasted with new powder coat. Will try and save the crankset (one of the few original bits) shifters and levers will stay, bars and stem probably not, depends what i can find. Thinking deep purple metallic. Simple white Dawes downtube decal, 1953 Brooks in shed would look ok?
Maybe this colour?
Awaits time and funds.
Oh and mrs HM loves it too!
Apparently Frank, now 72, was involved in a car accident a few years ago that led to his being unfit for work. Having time on his hands he started to collect and repair bikes. Mrs Frank now wants a little space back hence the sales.
And so to the Ranger. Best £45 i ever spent. Having now properly read the viewtopic.php?f=1&t=260739 i realise just how significant this bike is.
I pop it in the car and head for home. I hide it in the back of the shed, thinking it will make a great winter project. I have work to do. Despite my best efforts, having such a massive reason for task avoidance and wanting to try it out wins the day. Drag out the bits, re assemble, couple of pics,
couple of question threads and here we are.
Made a few changes to get everything to work. So i could ride before I invested further. Mechs changed, 7spd wheels 'dropped' in. Just been out for a bit of a ride and absolutely loved it. I'm 6'3" and 17 (cough) stone. A lovely long relaxed and classy ride. Under all that crappy paint is a really nicely made 531ATB that deserves some love and to be ridden.
Shifters cope with 7spd
Just a little bit of clearance
Lost lugs. Knurled thumb wheel headset adjustment.
Decision made. I have 130 OLD wheels on way and will strip and get it blasted with new powder coat. Will try and save the crankset (one of the few original bits) shifters and levers will stay, bars and stem probably not, depends what i can find. Thinking deep purple metallic. Simple white Dawes downtube decal, 1953 Brooks in shed would look ok?
Maybe this colour?
Awaits time and funds.
Oh and mrs HM loves it too!
