My 1955 Gillott

[Spokesmann]

Top bike.

Look forward to the refurb.

 

[brieflives]

I have a 1952 lugless Gillott frame. On building it up it seems that the forks take a 26" but the rear is built for 27". Frame numbers on frame and forks match. Whats going on?

 

[Tel]

I'd certainly be surprised if that was the case. Pictures?

 

[brieflives]

Need to make a second post before I'm allowed to post links. This is it. Now where's my camera?

 

[brieflives]

Found Camera. Pics on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brieflives ... 54380@N21/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brieflives ... hotostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brieflives ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brieflives ... otostream/

 

[converse320]

I pm'd separately, but I'm pretty sure his stolen bike was listed on ebay a few weeks ago. The auction was pulled early, so it would be nice to think he got his bike back. Does anyone know?

 

[Tel]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/original-gill ... 415ac65044

This one. Yes I was watching this and like you say pulled it early. I sent him an email and he just said he wasn't able to sell it. Does look very much like the stolen one!

 

[converse320]

hope he gets it back - my mum is still heartbroken about her hetchins even though it was 40 years ago.

 

[Askaniusz92]

nice old stuff

 

[Wheelnut]

I pm'd separately, but I'm pretty sure his stolen bike was listed on ebay a few weeks ago. The auction was pulled early, so it would be nice to think he got his bike back. Does anyone know?

I'm happy to say that I did indeed get my bike back!

To cut a long story short, I found out the seller's address, which was in Witney, and arranged to 'view' it. After many phone calls and much argument with the local police (who seem unconcerned about recovering stolen property), I managed to persuade them to knock on the seller's door and to relieve the seller of my bike at the appointed time. Actually, it was an hour later as they couldn't disturb their meal break.

I then had to argue with the police yet again in order to wrest my Gillott from the Police as they wanted to store it in their warehouse for an indeterminate length of time in case it may be needed as evidence. Slim chance of any court case since the ebay seller wasn't the thief.

By the time I got home it was about 10pm, so I set about polishing it up and getting it back into decent condition. There was nothing I could do about the scrapes and dints on the frame, and the saddle was beyond help having been stored outside in all weathers for many months, but everything else came up well, and the chrome on the frame was still good (it had recently been chromed and painted by Argos before the theft). By 1.30am it was looking pretty good and I took it for a ride the very next morning. It still rides beautifully.

Now all I need is the return of my Colnago Master Olympic that was stolen at the same time...