help I.D this old dawes racer,now with bike number

[one-eyed_jim]

Now I wish I'd uploaded the pictures from that eBay auction. It was a very similar bike with a "Celeste" decal on the top tube.

This bike on flickr is identified as a Dawes Celeste:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/338 ... f0a0_z.jpg

Note the very similar features - those chromed head-tube rings, top-tube pump pegs, cable stops at 5-o'clock, stamped dropouts with an integrated mudguard eye, four metallic bands on the seat tube...

 

[one-eyed_jim]

Another eBay auction, this time a "Star Celeste" with the same head-tube rings, but a later badge:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0540640948

and another, with a red and green colour scheme, and those chromed head-tube rings again:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0468865482

 

[one-eyed_jim]

Continuing my unhealthy interest in this old wreck (don't mind me) the Celeste and Star Celeste appear in this "mid 70s" catalogue:

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Dawes_mid_70s/

"The foundation of the Celeste model is the bronze welded frame, built of high carbon tubing and fitted with chromium plated head motifs. These have been granted a British patent."

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/D ... _70s_2.jpg

Note that the pump pegs are now on the down-tube.

Tracking down that patent would be an interesting project for somebody...

 

[yonze]

Sold a 1971 Dawes RealmRider last year, completely original and little used. Lugs a little different but I think the head badge was similar - silver, no colour on it.

 

[mattouli]

Re: Dawes racer

I had a Dawes "Star Celeste" that looked very similar. Same chrome lugs and banding on the frame. It was however white, and had the round Dawes head badge... Presumably a year or two later.