Orange ads/catalogue from '91?

[andrewl]

Project 'O' is a 17" frame that I'm transfering the parts from the above frame. The frame number is A91020020
This would make this an early O - Feb '91
The cable guides are riveted but only one is routed along the top tube - the rest are on the downtube. The rear mech hanger is the non - replaceable variant.

Mine is A91020354 and has the routing on the downtube and non replaceable hanger, so that's at least consistent with the above. Is the thinking that the last 4 digits are the frame number in sequence, because I can't see them producing that many frames in a month of production, but maybe they did??

 

[Anthony]

You might think there were bikes from three different batches here. A9102 0020 and A9102 0354 would definitely be from the first run of 1991 Os. A106 02194 is in the middle and A108 6758, A108 6766 and A108 6840 would definitely be 1992 models if we were talking about anybody other than Orange.

One relevant question is where the frames were built. Does anybody know that? I know Orange have a significant capacity to build in aluminium, but I’m assuming that these frames were built in Taiwan. And if so, there is no way you would build a frame in Taiwan in August 1991 so as to put it on sale in the UK as a built-up 1991 bike. Even June of 1991 would surely be too late for it to be a 1991 model, although its cable routing is similar to the 9102 frames.

Incidentally if anyone was wondering whether the A at the beginning stands for aluminium, steel and titanium Oranges at that time also had A numbers, so it would seem most likely that they were built in a factory whose name began with an A. I agree with Andrew that the second part of the number is more likely a factory control number and not an Orange serial number. Oranges were made in relatively small numbers, I don’t think their total production was much more than say 2,000 p.a. of all models. Having said that, if you get frames built in a big factory, they’re not going to build one every now and again. If Orange ordered say 500 O frames, maybe they were all built in one batch in February 91?

 

[boy"O"boy]

You might think there were bikes from three different batches here. A9102 0020 and A9102 0354 would definitely be from the first run of 1991 Os. A106 02194 is in the middle and A108 6758, A108 6766 and A108 6840 would definitely be 1992 models if we were talking about anybody other than Orange.

Hi Anthony

When you put all the frame together like that, I agree - they definately look more like batch numbers rather than month specific. From a post sometime ago, I've always taken it that the First 3 numbers were year/month but as they fall into 3 distinctive groups - I'd go with your theory that it is month the batch was made and the last 4 digits could be either a running total of how many were made or is just a serial number. August would be the ideal time to order your batch of '92 frames for the coming year.

If there are more A106 numbers out there, it would be interesting to see if that batch all came with the welded cable guides instead of the riveted ones of the earlier ones.

With more frame numbers, it would be easier to prove it was 3 distinct batches of frames ( unless someone comes up with a different frame number! ) Looks like they dropped the '9' from the serial number after the 1st batch.
..... I'm pleased that my A9102 frameset with it's low number could be one of the very 1st Aluminium 'O's?

As for where they were built? I've always presumed Halifax - but if the last 4 digits is a running total, I don't think they would have had that capacity. Looks more like a Taiwan manufacture but the painted in the UK?

I like your theory

Cheers,
boy"O"boy

 

[andrewl]

As for where they were built? I've always presumed Halifax - but if the last 4 digits is a running total, I don't think they would have had that capacity. Looks more like a Taiwan manufacture but the painted in the UK?

I'd assumed mine was UK made because the welds and a few other details etc just don't look like an Asian Al frame of the early 90s, but I really have no idea.

 

[boy"O"boy]

Just out of interest -

My Aluminium 'elite' is frame no. A205 0708

If the 'batch' theory is applied - I reckon the end number is a running total of all orange frames built that year - not just Aluminium O's but prestige and clockworks too. If all orange frames were built in the same factory this would make sense as I doubt they made over 6000 Aluminium O's ?

i.e A101 clockwork batch
A102 Aluminium O's
A103 prestige
..... and so on

You'd have to get more Prestige/Clockwork/Aluminium O/ Elite frame numbers to prove if this works though.

Just a thought - any ideas?

cheers,
boy"O"boy

 

[andrewl]

I was going to suggest that the numbering may cover more than just one model as there are several other manufacturers that have done this.