Almost a complete "clubman" from a box, late 50's?

Captain Turok

After a chance meeting with a charming old chap I've aquired a Dayton Cycles (Park Royal Road, London, NW10) 3 speed "clubman" frame with 531 tubes, Nervex lugs and a Campag headset. I was told by said chap that the frame was re enamelled 45 years ago but hadn't been built up since that time.

Included was also Chater Lea tommybar pedals, Williams C1200 crankset inc 2 unused GB axles, a few stems including a GB solid forged stem & a lugged stem with a little peeling on the chrome.

6 hubs from Airlite an Atom in a variety of configurations, a pair of 1951/2 Campag Gran Sport rear derailliurs an band on shifters, assorted GB brake levers an callipers from GB, Weinmann and Frieus(?) and what seems to me a very light drop bar.

Also there is a blue dinger bell, flint catchers, Brittania alloy pump, Reynolds alloy seat posts, wing nuts, an apparently unused 1960's Brooks Professional saddle plus a load of bits and bobs!

Captain Turok

(Sorry had to split the post, probably something to do with my phone that im posting from?)

Now, the crux of my post and my dilema!

Prior to getting the above mentioned parts I was looking for a later fixed / track bike to replace my Fixed Fake'enger (much loved but still ultimatley a cheap chinese BSO). Although I'm sure the parts would build up into a very nice bike, it does possibly seem a little too nice to use as a general run around and leave locked up in the street?

So the options are:
a) Build it up anyway with 27 x 1 1/4 rims on the fixed/fixed Airlite hub and add a pair of flipped north road bars.
b) Build it up as a 5 speed conversion, with the Campag bits an the other Airlite hub. Which I believe was a period modification and probably how it was last built.
c) Trade the bits for a later fixed / track bike that I wouldn't worry so much about leaving locked up in the street!

Your thoughts please..

bagpusscp

Away rebuild it, in away which is going to be of the most use to you.

Captain Turok

Ok, I'm going to rebuild it just how I fancy it and I've learnt some more about it.

I'll post a few photos shortly.

Captain Turok

Photos below show some of the parts mocked up and most of the other parts / bits in a box. I will add that the (anti porn) 700cc wheels are only slotted in to give me an impression regarding fit and frame angles.

I still don't really know anything about the frame. Excepting that it has the "later style / MK2" Nervex Professional lugs, which I now understand makes it anytime onwards from 1955. It has "Cyclo Reg Design" stamped into the rear (120mm) dropouts. The BB has a frame number (11495) and a Nervex stamp with further numbers. I also don't think it'll take a 27.2mm seatpost.

Initially I intend running it fixed, probably with 1 brake and mudguards. But I will retain an additonal rear hub, rear derailleur and brake parts (for a pair). I'm probably fitting the (Reynolds alloy) drop bar. Although I'm not sure about the GB Coureur Plus and may go for Mafac Dural Forge centre pulls. I also like the look of butchered saddles and drilled dinger bells!

Stuy-b

VERY jealous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Captain Turok

Thank you.

I'm a noob to older bikes just surfing for information / opinions / parts.

I'll list what I'm looking for, ANY help would be appreciated. But I don't want to break forum rules, so I'll (eventualy) post the spares I have (inc fixed fake'enger) & spares wanted in the classifieds. Feel free to PM me.

* ANY opinions / information on the frame, what do you call these older road bikes? 1959(??) based on last 2 digits of frame number, crank date stamped 1958 & pure speculation!?
* 116mm PCD 3 arm chainring, what options are there? (edit: now got a new TA263).
* 27" alloy rims, possibly new? (edit: now got NOS Weinmanns).
* Cones for BH Airlite hub (verg good condition only please).
* Any one know approx dates for Reynolds hindiminimum & aluminimum post & bars?
* (Single or) Pair of Dunlop bar end plugs.

Ive just stripped, cleaned, greased & fitted shiny bearings to the rear hub an pedals.

I'll post a few photos shortly.

Captain Turok

My first time rebuilding a hub & pedals, all seems ok..

The Mafac brakes are cleaning up a treat too!

Captain Turok

Incase anyone needs a new (alloy) chainring for a Williams C1200 crankset? The TA263, 116mm PCD, 3 arm chainring (I got mine from SJS Cycles) does just about fit, BUT it requires a tiny bit of dremelling to fit inside the steps (that hold the ring) to the cranks.

It's still the same TA pattern that shows up on the Classic Lightweights web site, so I assume its kinda period correct?

Still looking for BH Airlite cones in very good condition, if any one can help?..

Captain Turok

Yesterday I recieved a letter from the original owner and VCC member, the charming chap who sold it to me for peanuts.

He confirmed that it is a 1959 Dayton model. Also that it had only been used up untill the summer of 1965, when it was refinished at Youngs of Lewisham. An how that it had been stored in a bedroom till I purchased it. He still believes he has the original reciepts(!), which I hope to have soon.

As a lovely twist I know that both my father and myself have both bought bikes from the Youngs shop in Coney Hall, previously run by Harry Rowland. Silly details maybe, but it makes it all the more special to me!

I've also found some attractive NOS Weinmann rims, in the aparently rocking horse poo spec of 27" with 40 & 32 holes.

I'm going to need a better bike lock!..

Captain Turok

Had to wait for the temperature to rise a little but finally got to rattle can the white in the garage and painted the lugs in front of the tv one night. It then had its maiden voyage to the supermarket and pub, my normal sort of bike journey!

Expected a few niggles as it was the 1st time I'd rebuilt a bike from the ground up, but all was and still is kool with it!


Enjoyed playing with it so much I'm on the look out for (,an fingers crossed think I've found,) an early rod braked roadster.. 8) :roll:

fizz

Thats lovely.

ynyswen24

It's good. I like it.

Captain Turok

Cheers, comments appreciated!

Picked up a good tip from another site that I thought was clever an I'm using, that is to use a motor cycle alarmed disc lock attached to the chain ring! Want to keep hold of this bike.

Still on the look out for a roadster if any one has one lurking at the back of a garage/shed?