The last Overburys Crossfell to ever leave the shop !

[Tsundere]

100% agree that you did right preserving the original paintwork, and the patina only adds to the bikes character, it's had a long life so let that unbroken story roll on into the future.

I have one that's been recently powder coated, or at least I strongly suspect that it was done long after the bike first left the shop, which I feel no reservations about getting repainted, it's own story was deleted halfway through But it'll be greatly improved by receiving a top notch enamel finish as a new chapter begins.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

100% agree that you did right preserving the original paintwork, and the patina only adds to the bikes character, it's had a long life so let that unbroken story roll on into the future.

I have one that's been recently powder coated, or at least I strongly suspect that it was done long after the bike first left the shop, which I feel no reservations about getting repainted, it's own story was deleted halfway through But it'll be greatly improved by receiving a top notch enamel finish as a new chapter begins.

+1 for paintwork.

 

[tangent]

Visited Overbury’s shop in late 1980s / early 1990s … really like the gentle thoughtful approach to preserving this bike as it stands - loved hearing the additional local paintshop details a nice window into the past.

 

[27motorhead]

When I first saw the bike my initial response was to start again ie. shot blast and re - finish with new decals etc replacing missing items
so that it would appear exactly as it left the shop . This remained my intention as I gradually worked through the various components
until I just had the bare frame to sort out . I contacted 'my' painter only to find that he had just retired and his former employers were
not keen on odd jobs being worked on in break times . I managed to find another 'wet painting' specialist , and he quoted me a figure
way outside my budget ! What to do ?

The frame had originally been wet painted/stove enamelled by a small company called ' A1 Coatings ' who painted all of Overburys
frames . They were based in the former Montpelier Station buildings about a 1/4 mile from Overburys shop . I can remember visiting
them in the 80's and seeing frames in the then fashionable 2 and 3 colour fades hanging up ready for delivery . They did not offer
powder coating , just air drying and oven baked enamels . Looking closely at the area of my frame around the bottom bracket revealed
a still lustrous Forest Green paint finish . I decided to try to clean up the existing paint and wax polish it

As I re-assembled the bike I realised that I had made the right decision ! when you look at a bike your eye is drawn to the various
components , the patina of the original paint finish is a bonus as is the presence of all the original waterslide transfers . There is a
danger that in restoration you re-manufacture a 1985 bike into a 2023 version without any character

Photos show the 1985 down tube waterslide transfer and a later ? version found in Overburys workshop

Another great post and more insight in the production and origins of Overbury's

Loving the Patina and it should be embraced. This bike is gonna have a ton of character

 

[focomat 1c]

The view of the top of the rear triangle shows the ESGE mudguard that had been shortened for convenience , to be replaced
by an almost identical Bleumels product that I already had , also shortened . The rack still had a ' makers ' label declaring it
to be a Nimrod Product , however , based in Macclesfield and no longer in business , they were listed in the Bikebizbible as
importers and distributors . Therefore I believe the rack to be a Blackburn EX-1 with a matching bottle cage . The fluted SR
Laprade seat post came out easily , helped by pouring penetrating oil down the flutes . The saddle , a Selle Royal ' Comfort
Seat ' was in good condition with only a slight separation of the leather cover from the plastic base , easily sorted . I understand
( thanks danson67 ) that the specified saddle was a Selle San Marco marked ' Overburys ' to the rear and ' Overburys Anatomic '
on the sides . The other little detail that reveals something of the evolution of off road bicycle design at this time is the poor fit of the
top tube into the seat post lug . You can clearly see that the frame builder has ' pinched ' a couple of degrees to achieve his
desired frame geometry

Returning to Overburys history , we know that Arthur Powell was a mechanic and that he never built bike frames . It seems
reasonable to assume that he served in the war ? and married Enid in 1950 ? Unfortunately he succumbed to pneumonia
in the late 70's . Enid kept the business going until her son Andy joined her . We know that the local branch of the CTC often
used to meet at the shop ( late nights Thursday till 7.30 pm ) for the start of their evening rides .

It appears that the building of frames ( mostly road bikes ) started in the early 80's ? under the ' Andy Powell ' brand name
and that the ' Overburys ' brand of off road bikes was launched in late 1984 ? when Andy was about 34 years old ?

? All the information about the Powell family has been collated from a number of sources , my apologies for any errors/mistakes

 

[focomat 1c]

The Nitto riser bars and stem are a departure from the Nitto bullmoose bars that were originally specified for all three
of these Overburys models . However upon reflection I suspect that the limited range of fit options associated with
bullmoose bars led to the installation of the more conventional bar/stem combination on this particular bike enabling
easy adjustment to suit differing riding positions . This was particularly important as I believe this bike to be the shop demonstrator .
There are a number of factors that support this view , the bike as shown here was left in the Overburys workshop when
the business closed , it is unlikely to be a customers bike . It was already 27 years old when abandoned yet has its original
Michelin tyres , the rim braking surfaces are unmarked and the brake blocks virtually unworn . This Cross Fell is not only their
top of the range model but is fully equipped with all the available extras . The frame is a 21.5" middle size , I think it is
a good candidate to be the demonstrator , the only thing missing is the pump !

Here we have the last of the Deer Head/XT components , the four finger BL-M700 brake levers and the SL-M700 shifters
all of which cleaned up easily . In the background you can see the Shimano HP-6207 Headset c/w star nuts ( special tool required )
The brake and gear cables were replaced with new of identical length to the originals

 

[Tsundere]

Like new.

 

[27motorhead]

Like new.

Almost better than new! and you’ll never be afraid of riding it!

Love this discovery, history lesson and pre/post cleaning photos.

A thread of complete WCA! (West Country Awesomeness)

 

[pwebb]

The Nitto riser bars and stem are a departure from the Nitto bullmoose bars that were originally specified for all three
of these Overburys models . However upon reflection I suspect that the limited range of fit options associated with
bullmoose bars led to the installation of the more conventional bar/stem combination on this particular bike enabling
easy adjustment to suit differing riding positions . This was particularly important as I believe this bike to be the shop demonstrator .
There are a number of factors that support this view , the bike as shown here was left in the Overburys workshop when
the business closed , it is unlikely to be a customers bike . It was already 27 years old when abandoned yet has its original
Michelin tyres , the rim braking surfaces are unmarked and the brake blocks virtually unworn . This Cross Fell is not only their
top of the range model but is fully equipped with all the available extras . The frame is a 21.5" middle size , I think it is
a good candidate to be the demonstrator , the only thing missing is the pump !

Here we have the last of the Deer Head/XT components , the four finger BL-M700 brake levers and the SL-M700 shifters
all of which cleaned up easily . In the background you can see the Shimano HP-6207 Headset c/w star nuts ( special tool required )
The brake and gear cables were replaced with new of identical length to the originals

The Nitto stem is correct, mine had the self same M1 stem and bars, these are pretty sought after btw, availablevatva price from merry in the USA https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/27...-22-2mm-silver-3754?page=6&category=153#attr=

 

[The History Man]

Absolutely lovely.