So, with Eroica only a few weeks away, it's high-time I started putting together a steed - I've ridden the last two on 80's bikes, first with standard 'racing' gears and last year on my tourer, which almost felt like cheating as I spun up Mam Nick in 34/28..
The inital idea this year was to take the tandem, but that was shelved due to the hassle of getting it there by train, and instead I've taken it as a kick up the arse to get on and finish the 50's road/path build I've been slowly accumulating parts for over the past year and a bit..
The frame came to me in late 2014 from A Certain Well-Known Purveyor Of Vintage Frames & Parts, and was of unknown pedigree, though described as having 'Mercian-like' features. Here it is shortly after arrival:
It's a decent well-made frame - 531, Serie Legere lugs, nice ridged seatstay caps - but the lack of a frame number or any original paint has so far put paid to identifying the maker, despite a few names being floated in a thread here.
My initial intention was to not be too precious and just build it up with parts I liked rather than go for a full period build but, as usual, that idea lasted about 5 minutes.. Nevertheless, I stuck a load of beater parts on it and rode it as a winter knockabout in the guise below whilst researching and locating suitable 50's kit..
Skipping forward a year or so, I've gathered almost everything I need, and with the Eroica-Tandem plan ruled out, the frame was boxed up and sent to Bob Jackson for some minor tlc and a respray. Skip forward another 4 weeks, to a few days ago, and this was sitting in front of me:
...
The inital idea this year was to take the tandem, but that was shelved due to the hassle of getting it there by train, and instead I've taken it as a kick up the arse to get on and finish the 50's road/path build I've been slowly accumulating parts for over the past year and a bit..
The frame came to me in late 2014 from A Certain Well-Known Purveyor Of Vintage Frames & Parts, and was of unknown pedigree, though described as having 'Mercian-like' features. Here it is shortly after arrival:
It's a decent well-made frame - 531, Serie Legere lugs, nice ridged seatstay caps - but the lack of a frame number or any original paint has so far put paid to identifying the maker, despite a few names being floated in a thread here.
My initial intention was to not be too precious and just build it up with parts I liked rather than go for a full period build but, as usual, that idea lasted about 5 minutes.. Nevertheless, I stuck a load of beater parts on it and rode it as a winter knockabout in the guise below whilst researching and locating suitable 50's kit..
Skipping forward a year or so, I've gathered almost everything I need, and with the Eroica-Tandem plan ruled out, the frame was boxed up and sent to Bob Jackson for some minor tlc and a respray. Skip forward another 4 weeks, to a few days ago, and this was sitting in front of me:
...
. Have you had a new seat bolt brazed on?
