John Mann's Classic rebuild.
Peter Moore expressed an interest in John's classic retro bike when I published it on Facebook with a view to presumably insert the details in a future club newsletter, I was asked for more info from John.
I have now got more of that info and as I spoke to John a nice surprise unfolded.
In the main :- Frame Hobbs of Barbican. Frame tubing, Accles and Pollock, no transfers available,.
Frame is fillet brazed, a classic lugless method of lightweight building.
Wheels, again a classic of the day, 26 x 1 1/4" Conloy Asp rims, front wheel 32 spokes on a large flange Airlight hub, rear wheel 40 spokes laced into a three speed Sturmey Archer AW hub. 32 front paired with 40 spokes for the rear was considered the best all rounder set of wheels.
While browsing the saddlebag sale at York Rally one year John came across a bit of Lancashire history in the shape of a three speed quadrant changer, (see top tube on photo) the gear selector was made by 'Lodge Engineering co. of Oswaldtwistle' in polished brass.
John moved away from an original rebuild when it came to the brakes, the mountings for the old Resilion brakes were removed in favour of a more modern and reliable caliper brake, being a tourer, long drop brakes were required so Alongha brakes were chosen. Handlebar is Cinelli, mudguards are Bluemels as is the pump, the saddle is the classic Brooks Swallow.
The big surprise I mentioned a'fore was the information obtained by Terry Dolan who did the refurbishment of the frame, the frame numbers on bottom bracket and fork stem, C 714 31, relate to 1931 as the original date of building. The C (circa) 7 (July) 14 (day) 31 (year), even John was surprised at that date though he did suspect the 'thirties' due to the tubing used in manufacture.
While discussing the bike John just mentioned during conversation that he still had his Grandfather's bicycle pump, all that was left from the bike his Grandad had used as a railway signalman. Apparently the bike was disposed of while John was serving in the Airforce. Now as John is now eighty three we can only speculate what bike his Grandad wheeled around on, a valuable bit of history gone missing. Almost forgot, stronglight single ring chainset set fitted, a forty tooth ring.
Frame is fillet brazed, a classic lugless method of lightweight building.
Wheels, again a classic of the day, 26 x 1 1/4" Conloy Asp rims, front wheel 32 spokes on a large flange Airlight hub, rear wheel 40 spokes laced into a three speed Sturmey Archer AW hub. 32 front paired with 40 spokes for the rear was considered the best all rounder set of wheels.
While browsing the saddlebag sale at York Rally one year John came across a bit of Lancashire history in the shape of a three speed quadrant changer, (see top tube on photo) the gear selector was made by 'Lodge Engineering co. of Oswaldtwistle' in polished brass.
John moved away from an original rebuild when it came to the brakes, the mountings for the old Resilion brakes were removed in favour of a more modern and reliable caliper brake, being a tourer, long drop brakes were required so Alongha brakes were chosen. Handlebar is Cinelli, mudguards are Bluemels as is the pump, the saddle is the classic Brooks Swallow.
The big surprise I mentioned a'fore was the information obtained by Terry Dolan who did the refurbishment of the frame, the frame numbers on bottom bracket and fork stem, C 714 31, relate to 1931 as the original date of building. The C (circa) 7 (July) 14 (day) 31 (year), even John was surprised at that date though he did suspect the 'thirties' due to the tubing used in manufacture.
While discussing the bike John just mentioned during conversation that he still had his Grandfather's bicycle pump, all that was left from the bike his Grandad had used as a railway signalman. Apparently the bike was disposed of while John was serving in the Airforce. Now as John is now eighty three we can only speculate what bike his Grandad wheeled around on, a valuable bit of history gone missing. Almost forgot, stronglight single ring chainset set fitted, a forty tooth ring.
great Tony, I'll get it in the next newsletter
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