Yet another frame ID - Bob Jackson ?

[Hawmaw]

I picked up a Bob Jackson locally. The paintwork is poor and there's surface rust so it wasn't expensive. It came with a titanium stem , modern Campagnolo Xenon 10sp shifters , Shimano 105 front mech , 10sp DuraAce rear mech , 105 threaded headset , bottom bracket , 10sp Campagnolo crankset , 105 / Mavic 10sp wheels.

On further investigation I'm not sure if it's a genuine BJ. The left side "Bob Jackson" decal seems to be upside down (sorry no pic of this) and there is a BJ head badge on the seat tube where the Reynolds decal usually is. The only marking anywhere on the bike is "184" stamped very roughly on the BB shell. The rear dropout spacing is 130mm. I don't know the seat post diameter as its been chopped and has no marking.

I have just emailed Bob Jackson but thought I'd post up here and garner the opinion of the Retrobike community.

 

[Jamiedyer]

Hi mate
It certainly looks like its been refinished at some point. Not sure on BJ frame numbers but am sure they will help you out.
Looks like a decent frame build. Seatpost diameter will give a better indication I suppose.
Look forward to seeing it built up, what are the plans for it?

Jamie

 

[FINNEY1973]

Looks suspiciously like a Dolan era Ribble, very possibly 653 tubing.

 

[kingbling]

Looks suspiciously like a Dolan era Ribble, very possibly 653 tubing.

I was thinking Dolan Condor but wasn't sure

Edit: I meant Cougar

 

[Hawmaw]

Re:

Finney , thanks for the pointer. A quick Google suggests it is a Dolan / Ribble 653 frame. The 3 digit frame number seems to tie in. Despite the fact it is light and they get a good reputation for ride quality they don't seem to be of any value so I don't know whether to spend any money getting it repainted or just sell off the parts and cut my losses. But ....
I've been hankering after another steel road bike for a while since selling the Gios. You can't beat the ride quality and the looks.

 

[FINNEY1973]

Re:

Agreed, not a show stopper but they're a quality ride. Ideal for all weather riding. I'm having one powder coated at the moment specifically for wet weather riding. The geometry on these gives a nice racy feel but good for long rides. You could badge it as a Dolan rather than a Ribble perhaps?

 

[Chat Noir]

Re:

Have looked at my 1992 BJ 731os: a lot of similar / identical features (lug at top of seat tube, bottom bracket shell, position and design of entrance / exit for brake cable on TT, forks, pump pip, etc).

But, the drop outs have Bob Jackson written on them, front and back (outside). However, my partners BJ doesn't have BJ written on the drop outs, a 631 from 1993 (she drove to work today because of the wind so I had a look). The serial number on both bikes is 5 digits, smaller font than in the photo, and across the shell.

I would be interested in what BJ have to say (and hope that they do respond positively to the request for info). The serial number likely to be the clincher but the frame itself looks v similar. Am not familiar with Ribble or their numbering and my Dolan Dedacciai has no serial numbers.

Good luck.