For Sale Stokes (of London?) 1950s bike complete. Reynolds 531 tubing, Working Lucifer baby 800 dynamo set, Lee Chi levers, strata brakes & 5 speed Benelux.

[fiveSixteenths]

The bike is more important

I know right?
Families are so demanding

 

[Toecutter]

Hi Shaun, suspect the seller might not be on here now - and in case not, I was able to get this at the weekend, so I guess that’s ‘sold’ (mods, perhaps you could amend if Bruce doesn’t get around to it?)

Thanks for that, I think he'll have to delete or amend the post. You've got yourself an interesting frame. If you're a V-CC member given Bryan Clarke a call, he knows the background on Stokes. All the best, Shaun

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Thanks for that, I think he'll have to delete or amend the post. You've got yourself an interesting frame. If you're a V-CC member given Bryan Clarke a call, he knows the background on Stokes. All the best, Shaun

Ah, neat, thanks Shaun, I’ll drop Bryan a note

 

[Toecutter]

Ah, neat, thanks Shaun, I’ll drop Bryan a note

I'm in the book, 4924. I mentioned this one to Bryan yesterday, says the lugs are typical Stokes.

 

[fiveSixteenths]

I'm in the book, 4924. I mentioned this one to Bryan yesterday, says the lugs are typical Stokes.

I’ll get some better pictures up in a build thread soon. I had a quick look at the thing last night, wondering if the pedals were Tommy Bar CL’s but they’re a bit later (post-war)
Also wondering about the head clip, which I’d always associated with pre-war builds?

 

[Toecutter]

I’ll get some better pictures up in a build thread soon. I had a quick look at the thing last night, wondering if the pedals were Tommy Bar CL’s but they’re a bit later (post-war)
Also wondering about the head clip, which I’d always associated with pre-war builds?

The head clips were used post war as well, at least until the late 40s. If memory serves me the numbering system wasn't very obvious so may not be a guide as to year of build. Likely it was built either 1930s or 40s and generally they used a head or seat tube transfer that gives the name and address. The S on your frame could be an earlier design. What was the size? ( I ride up to 23" hence my query.)

 

[fiveSixteenths]

The head clips were used post war as well, at least until the late 40s. If memory serves me the numbering system wasn't very obvious so may not be a guide as to year of build. Likely it was built either 1930s or 40s and generally they used a head or seat tube transfer that gives the name and address. The S on your frame could be an earlier design. What was the size? ( I ride up to 23" hence my query.)

Is a 23”, both the steerer and seat tube have a box-lined and infill painted ‘S’, the down tube ‘STOKES’ also looks hand painted (sorry, too dark to get pictures.
The 531 transfer is also very early-looking.

 

[Toecutter]

I think there were two types of downtube lettering, the one you have and a signature style Stokes of London, not sure which one came first. As and when you get the bike back up and running I'd love to see it, my email is in the book (also M E for Mal Rees). I recently found an A. Walkling of Merton in a similar condition - see Readers Retro Bikes and got it cleaned up and running again, it's really satisfying to give these bikes another lease of life. Would imagine the Stokes will look really good.

 

[fiveSixteenths]

I think there were two types of downtube lettering, the one you have and a signature style Stokes of London, not sure which one came first. As and when you get the bike back up and running I'd love to see it, my email is in the book (also M E for Mal Rees). I recently found an A. Walkling of Merton in a similar condition - see Readers Retro Bikes and got it cleaned up and running again, it's really satisfying to give these bikes another lease of life. Would imagine the Stokes will look really good.

Texted Bruce to see if he can add any more detail. Although it needs a new chain I popped the bike up on a stand to see if the thing spun - which, remarkably it does and it shifts really well
The seat post isn’t stuck and I need to check the stem hopefully this evening
Oh, and the dynamo still runs the lights
Amazing

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Now here - https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/totally-stoked-stokes-of-london.488459/#post-3674740