Mallorcadave
Retro Newbie
This is a bike I spotted on Facebook marketplace last summer in Mallorca. The ad had been placed by the neighbour of the owner who was well into his 80s. On speaking to the owner Luis, I found out that he and a friend where unable to purchase a decent bike in Mallorca. So they hatched a plan(presumably after a few copas de vino tinto)to travel to the UK to buy the bikes of there dreams. After receiving their passports they embarked on the journey from Palma de Mallorca on the ferry to Barcelona. From there they caught several trains to get to Calais. Crossed to Dover and eventually ended up on Harry Halls shop floor clutching their freshly changed pound notes.
Luis promptly fell in love with the shiny blue and chrome beauty on the rack, which was fitted with Spanish Zeus Gran Sport components (a sign from dios obviously!) The journey back home under pedal power was "a adventura" according to Luis.
Fast forward 56 years and after some not very successful haggling with Luis clutching his chest and wailing " mi corazon!" every time I tried to knock him down on his asking price, I finally wheeled 2 bikes out of his bakery.
Hang on did you say 2 bikes! I hear you cry.
Yes 2. The Wiley old bugger wouldn't come down on price but would let me have the 24" wheeled supermarket mountain bike that "for sure I could sell on at a profit"! I ended up giving it to my neighbour.
So hear we have it
Frame number 300
Year 1963
Reynolds 531
Campagnolo dropouts
Size seat tube22" ctt, 54cm ctc
top tube 22" 56cm ctc
Wheelbase 40" 101.6cm
Zeus Gran Sport
Mafac top63 brakes
Cinelli Unicantor saddle
Luis promptly fell in love with the shiny blue and chrome beauty on the rack, which was fitted with Spanish Zeus Gran Sport components (a sign from dios obviously!) The journey back home under pedal power was "a adventura" according to Luis.
Fast forward 56 years and after some not very successful haggling with Luis clutching his chest and wailing " mi corazon!" every time I tried to knock him down on his asking price, I finally wheeled 2 bikes out of his bakery.
Hang on did you say 2 bikes! I hear you cry.
Yes 2. The Wiley old bugger wouldn't come down on price but would let me have the 24" wheeled supermarket mountain bike that "for sure I could sell on at a profit"! I ended up giving it to my neighbour.
So hear we have it
Frame number 300
Year 1963
Reynolds 531
Campagnolo dropouts
Size seat tube22" ctt, 54cm ctc
top tube 22" 56cm ctc
Wheelbase 40" 101.6cm
Zeus Gran Sport
Mafac top63 brakes
Cinelli Unicantor saddle
