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| I have included the above detail purely for comparison purposes and whilst my bike cost in the region of £25 old pounds, and when the component specification is taken into consideration they were truly superb bikes of an era gone by. The relative simplicity of achieving great components along with a superb frame is truly miles away from today, and also miles away from the mass of today's conglomerates that ply their ever changing constant ranges of components. Whatever happened to the days of Harden Hubs, British Hub Company and their superb Airlite range. Chater Lea, Regina, Bluemels, Lyotard, Nervex Lugs, Regina gears, and so the list continues. |
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| I have shown this shot of my Stronglite double chain wheel just prior to restoration. The fluted cranks can be clearly seen with the Stronglite icon set centrally. The keen eye will spot the Campagnolo Record pedals along with the truly superb Suntour front derailleur that has served me so well, and will continue to do so. The bottom bracket was a little stiff but it had not seized and the ball bearings ( no ball race ) will be simply replaced otherwise it is sound, so that speaks for itself for quality of days gone by. The double chain wheel and restored Suntour front derailleur are shown on Page Five. |
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| This is her right side and for a bike that has not been ridden for some thirty years she is in fine condition, just suffering the pains of age and in need of care. She has had the very occasional clean up and a very very occasional ride, otherwise she has always been garaged with an old sheet over her. The saddle had seen its last days and the seat pillar. The stem was a GB arrow moulded alloy but she had cracked. The bars were Maes, but are being replaced as are the GB brakes also. The wheels are Weinmann and are being rebuilt on the existing Campagnolo Record hubs which both are in fine condition, just the spokes had rusted and are being replaced. The tyres are amazing Dunlop Sprite still going fine today, I am replacing them with Gaterskin which will sit nicely under her new Zeppelin stainless Mud Guards. |
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| This is her left side and very much a repeat nevertheless for a bike that has not been ridden for some thirty years she is in fine condition, just suffering the pains of age and in need of care. She has had the very occasional clean up just like Jose and a very very occasional ride, otherwise she has always been garaged with an old sheet over her. The saddle had seen its last days and the seat pillar. The stem was a GB arrow moulded alloy but she had cracked. The bars were Maes, but are being replaced as are the GB brakes also. The wheels are Weinmann and are being rebuilt on the existing Campagnolo Record hubs which both are in fine condition, just the spokes had rusted and are being replaced. The tyres are amazing Dunlop Sprite still going fine today, I am replacing them with Gaterskin which will sit nicely under her new Zeppelin stainless Mud Guards. |
Here we have the right side again as i did not mention the the lining which was standard to the Prugnat Type One Spear point lugs. She also has the Campagnolo self cantering dropouts which were finished chrome and stamped 'Campagnolo'.
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| A borrowed illustration of my Suntour Front Derailleur with the lovely five drilled pattern that somehow smacks of vintage. It has given me many miles both touring and racing. My club was Kingston Wheelers and they held many a 25 and 50, and not so often a 100. I had good timing in these, but nowadays I prefer the touring side, no reason to race again to that distant white line, only to chase yet another fortune. |
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| A very fine picture of the Suntour Rear derailleur, Model V GT and now she has been taken apart checking the jockey wheels and all other parts, fitted with a few spare nuts and replacing adjustment screws, her original high polish has returned, and she looks a dream. |
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