The British bike thread

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Well, just got the Norman out of the deep depths of the garage to do a bit of work.

She's a Norman Invader. Built somewhere between 1946 and 1949 according to what I could find on VCC catalogues.

Reynolds 531 tubing.

Originally I built it with fixed 27" wheels as I don't think the catalogue specified wheel size. They were too big so I found a donor wheelset, a lovely Dunlop Stainless 26" x 1 3/8" and rebuilt the rear wheel with a fixed hub. Now I've rebuilt it again with a 4 Speed SA (1947) which I'm just in the process of setting up... I do have the dual cog for the SA though so... 8 speed?

Williams Crankset
GB Bars, Stem & Brakes
Modern seatpost with a modern Brooks B17.

Once I get the work done I'll get some decent shots.

View attachment 935136


I also have the incredibly rare Norman Rapide from the same period, as well as a Sun Supalite of a similar age.

Feel free to post the Rapide and Supalite.

 

[MSYT]

Feel free to post the Rapide and Supalite.

This is the only pic I can find of the Supalite. But that’s as I got it. It’s still in bits but I may have time to reassemble soon.

The interesting thing is the dropped seat stays.

I can’t remember the year based off the serial number but I can check that

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

This is the only pic I can find of the Supalite. But that’s as I got it. It’s still in bits but I may have time to reassemble soon.

The interesting thing is the dropped seat stays.

I can’t remember the year based off the serial number but I can check that

That is a bit special, I would love to see it when finished.

 

[MSYT]

And I’ve found some photos of the Norman Rapide when I got it… 10 years ago

I basically have all the parts waiting for a build but it’s never materialised. Sort of battling a restoration vs patina thought. I’ve cleaned it up a bit since. But the years haven’t been kind to this very old lightweight.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

And I’ve found some photos of the Norman Rapide when I got it… 10 years ago

I basically have all the parts waiting for a build but it’s never materialised. Sort of battling a restoration vs patina thought. I’ve cleaned it up a bit since. But the years haven’t been kind to this very old lightweight.

I didn't realise they were full 531 D/B. What year is it? Is it 26 TPI? I think a full restoration would be best, given it's condition.