Orange Aluminium Elite 16”

[damianw]

Just won a small Alu elite frame for £35! It’s decalled as an elite, has a clear serial number starting A1120, all looks to be original, BUT it’s painted silver (again looks original). I though all Elites were polished Alu with a few anodised purple? Grateful for any insight. Thanks.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Picture ?

A112xxx is an Alu-O batch start (the last of the Alu-O's)*
but that doesn't mean some Elite's where not made then....

It's easy to tell the difference.



* I starts some info in the wiki, but I don't know elites batches etc http://www.retrobike.co.uk/wiki/Orange

 

[damianw]

Re:

Great link- thank you. Looks like it was supplied by 2XS West Wittering. Based on what you were saying, possibly an “O” then?

 

[damianw]

Re:

Just compared it to my larger framed Elite and it looks to have all the same elements and, to me at least, is identical. Very prepared to be wrong though!

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Looks like an Elite to me. Maybe a shop soiled frame that went back for a repaint?

 

[damianw]

Re:

Thanks for the comments. I wanted to rebuild my Elite onto this smaller frame, after stripping it and polishing. it’s a bit chewed up in places- the chain has attached the chainstay at some point and it has one little dent in the seat tube. Not sure now if I should strip it and do as a standard polished elite, or get it repainted? I’m happy with it for £35 either way!

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Looks like a silver grey paint (not quite gloss) not the satin silver I was thinking.

Might have been normal that early, vague memories of them or seeing some recently.

 

[damianw]

Re:

I guess this could be satin silver?

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Looks like the silver they used when first using powder coat around 93/4, seen on plenty of c16’s.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re: Re:

Looks like the silver they used when first using powder coat around 93/4, seen on plenty of c16’s.

That's what I was think of and may have seen one of the Ali's like it before.

It's not Satin Silver of an Alu-O, as that finish is dry and grainy, of the ones I had and can remember anyway.