New to RetroBike - 70's Carlton

[DB mr2]

Hi, my names Dan and I just bought what looks to be a early/mid 70's Carlton.
Been into bmx's, mtb's and obviously cars but now its time for some vintage steel.
The last two months ive been gleaming the internet for stories and videos on Eddy Merckx, Tour de France and Steel bike framebulding/restorsation - it fascinates me.
Why did i choose the Carlton? Well my brother has a Carlton Kermesse which he has had since he started uni for commuting around london. He set me off on the history and where they were made - Worksop. We grew up in Lincolnshire (Swineshead) and one of my earliest memories of being in my dads truck, was watching a train go past with all the coal trailers for like ten minutes - at worksop!
So it does have a certain nostalgic? value to me already!
Onto the bike and all its silly little upgrades it seems to have had over the years, is there an original part on this bike lol!
I have tried to find the serial number under the bb and on the rear dropouts (bear with me on the acronyms) but it wasnt there. Any other possible locations? Leaning towards a Corsair or Continental?
Some pics:




























So you can see there is some English in there amongst the French and Italian bits....... :shock:

 

[DB mr2]

Re:

I'm very much hoping Spokesman will see this thread and lend a helping eye....pretty please

My plans are to get it working safely, adjust brakes lower stem, then find some cheap original 'ish parts and try to get out on it at the weekends when i'm not ridiculously hungover/fixing car/entertaining gf!

I have a daily commute road bike so its nice to have the luxury of a fully working one as well.

Here is a picture of mine with its older brother:

 

[KidDynamite]

Great bike , always like to watch projects of retro road bikes, hope to see yours in the near future as well . Keep us updated with the project. You will find some original parts, if not mistaken most of them are very similar to the Raleigh parts.

 

[DB mr2]

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Thanks KidD, I feel very much out of my league here but hoping to do the bike justice and restore if correctly.

The old girl has been half stripped now and brakes, brackets, levers, shifters have been soaking in a bucket of soapy water for a couple of days. Bars stripped of brakes and tape - leaving an awful gummy residue which was a pita to get rid of. New brake cables and casings purchased just need to decide what bar tape. Was going to go cotton but as i want to ride this a lot I will go with the comfort of cork.

In my haste i have broken on the Mafac brake lever clamps. Asked around a few shops and they all laughed at me! So need donor or replacement levers

Also need to find a decent retro saddle and sort out the rubbish spray painted wheels but unsure if i need a specific size for Carlton's? Or is that just the crank thread size? Help needed there!

 

[Anglian]

Enjoy the challenge! Another Worksop model saved.......if your on facebook feel free to check out/join carlton bikes of Worksop

 

[Martin Rattler]

Re:

You’ve got the makings of a nice bike there so I am going to be interested to follow the project. Alloy will clean up a treat with 000 grade wire wool and then Solvol Autosol. You will need lots of rag! Stuff like tape adhesive can sometimes be removed by white spirit or perhaps meths, you just need to experiment a little. You may need to look on EBay for replacement levers although you may pick some up here or via other forums. Re retro saddles, again keep your eyes peeled on line, I favour Brooks saddles and practically all of mine have been sourced via online forums, but it might be worth looking out for the Spa leather saddles if you like that style, they are a bit cheaper than the Brooks. Keep up the good work!

 

[DB mr2]

Re:

Thankyou gents that is very helpful. Sent a request off for the Facebook page - just need it accepted.

Martin thanks for the saddle advice that is exactly what i was looking for and good prices cheers!
Unfortunately i'm quite accustomed to autosol after hand polishing a set of split wheels so not sure i want to see another tube of that for some time....... :!:

I am a little bit confused about wheel sizes on these old bikes. Do i have 27" wheels or is t 700c?
Are new bikes 700c and old steel like these 27" or is it just Carlton's?

Sorry for all the questions

 

[Martin Rattler]

Re:

Can you see whether the size is marked on the tyres? 700c tyres are a little smaller in diameter than 27'' and 700c wheels in a frame made for 27'' wheels generally will need long reach brakes...does that help at all?

 

[Anglian]

Re:

I would guess your running 27 1/4 or 27 3/8 latter ones like mine run on the 700c rims

 

[Spokesmann]

Nice project, the bike needs a little pulling together in view in terms of overall presentation but the foundations of a great enjoyable mount are there. Not sure 100% what model it is, but it could well be a Continental from the first half of the 1970s. Agree that the saddle needs to be sorted, a Brooks or a Wrights would be very nice. The frame number should be on the left rear drop out.