Hetchins advice/help

[obstando]

Hi

I'm a new member here but not new to vintage bikes as I have accumulated a few over the years including a Holdsworth Mistral bought new in the early 80s that I cycled down the length of the Nile on (fitted with GP4's!!) - and yes I still have it!
I have a 50s Hetchins which I believe is a Magnum Bonum which I would like to upgrade the current components to ones more suitable for the bike.
I would love to hear what thoughts you have on components suitable for a mid to late 50s bike build and any good sources for those parts (preferably in EU or UK) other than Ebay.
I have always leant towards Campagnolo on my bikes but appreciate that may not be the preferred option here.
I have added a couple of pics as they always say they are worth m ore than a thousand words!

Many thanks in advance

Dominic

 

[Holiocornolio]

absolute stunner! Beautiful bike. Is that 600 tricolor on there at the moment? Hilary Stone, pedal pedlar are worth a look, but I imagine you know them already. I think a campy gran sport from the 50s would be the absolute shizzle on this machine

 

[obstando]

absolute stunner! Beautiful bike. Is that 600 tricolor on there at the moment? Hilary Stone, pedal pedlar are worth a look, but I imagine you know them already. I think a campy gran sport from the 50s would be the absolute shizzle on this machine

Thank you Holio - yes it's Shimano 600 on there for some reason but I will almost certainly go for Campy gears and possibly chainset although considering Williams or Stronglight

 

[Holiocornolio]

Re:

Nothing wrong with 600. Nice kit, and I guess a previous owner wanted something that indexed. but i'm sure that campy will look a bit more in keeping.

 

[mdvineng]

Omega, Gippieme all good too

 

[Big Block]

Re:

Good work in posting here. For this period, the knowledge is on the British side of the Atlantic rather than the Bike Forum membership.
Please think more broadly than Campagnolo. The 1950s saw much innovation and groupsets didn't exist. Many manufacturers specialised in certain components, and it is reflected in those components which have survived.
Look through the Holdsworth Aids that I linked to.

When you can establish the frame date I am sure we can be clearer as to the components that we would put on the frame, depending on how you planned to use it.

 

[obstando]

Re: Re:

Good work in posting here. For this period, the knowledge is on the British side of the Atlantic rather than the Bike Forum membership.
Please think more broadly than Campagnolo. The 1950s saw much innovation and groupsets didn't exist. Many manufacturers specialised in certain components, and it is reflected in those components which have survived.
Look through the Holdsworth Aids that I linked to.

When you can establish the frame date I am sure we can be clearer as to the components that we would put on the frame, depending on how you planned to use it.

Thank you BB - I will have fun looking at all the options and will hopefully get it to a point where I am happy with and I really appreciate everyone's input.There's no rush but maybe lockdown has finally got to me and I need a project to keep me busy!

 

[4th in the devil]

Are you sure this is a 1950's frame? It looks like its got braze on gear levers and the rear mech cable goes under the bottom bracket. This tends to be a clue to a newer bike than that. Also, the campag. drop outs, whilst they existed in the 50s, were not very common until much later. Some classic Campagnolo record would look great on the bike but if you want to ride it and enjoy it you could do a lot worse that sticking to the indexed shimano stuff that's already on it.

 

[keithglos]

Capagnolo ends were common from mid 50s, also brazed on cable eyes look right to me, you can't run the gear cable above the bottom bracket because of the bent chainstays.
I sold a number of hetchins in the 50s.

Keith

 

[obstando]

Are you sure this is a 1950's frame? It looks like its got braze on gear levers and the rear mech cable goes under the bottom bracket. This tends to be a clue to a newer bike than that. Also, the campag. drop outs, whilst they existed in the 50s, were not very common until much later. Some classic Campagnolo record would look great on the bike but if you want to ride it and enjoy it you could do a lot worse that sticking to the indexed shimano stuff that's already on it.

I cannot remember if it's 50s or early 60s - it was verified by the Hetchins register anyway and my feeling is that is is late 50s.
Unfortunately I am in Ireland and the bike is in the UK so I can't check the serial number for confirmation. I have asked the register if they can confirm as they should have the details on file from when I bought the bike.