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Old Brompton rehab

swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
in Workshop
I bought an old Brompton off ebay. It is frame # 1046, 5 speed Strumey Archer Sprinter so I think it is early 2000s. Paid too much. It functioned properly except the shifter needed a little adjust and the headset was loose.

I needed a bike that folded small to fit in an airplane. I have a Montague Paratrooper than I have upgraded over the years (hydraulic brakes, air forks, etc) but it wouldn't quite fold small enough to fit in the new airplane (Van's RV-4). I use the bike to get into town from small airports so riding at night or in bad weather is not an issue. Usually under 5 miles.

When I got the bike it had fenders, rack and generator lights, bell, etc.. It was set up for a tall rider, extended seat tube, high bars. One of the easy wheels that attach to the frame had been broken off. It weighed 29.6 lbs according to my calibrated bathroom scale.

I stripped off the fenders, lights, bell, front pack mount and rack. Put on some Easton flat bars I had laying around on. I bought some stuff off ebay, titanium seatpost that didn't use pentaclip, light brake levers (Chinese Litepro), Grabon foam grips. Interestingly the brake and shifter cables worked as is but I went ahead and replaced the brake cables with Jagwire pro along with Jagwire brake shoes/pads. Stock were shot. Replaced the stock Stronglight 48Tcrank and bottom bracket with Chinese hollow crank and BB with 50T chainring. Turns out the BB hadn't seen daylight in many years so that was a good thing.

I don't know anything about Bromptons. It appears the front wheel has been replaced, 28 hole straight laced with a rounded rim profile, allow hub. Rear is more square profile 28 hole laced 1x.
The headset is steel. I have a Chinese allow headset on the way. Got some light foldable tires on the way to replace the Schwalbe Marathons that are very old. The rear doesn't have a latch like modern Bromptons. Is it possible to upgrade to more current suspension block and latch?

Weight is down to 24.8 down from 29.6 lbs. I expect to loose another pound or so by going to lighter tires.

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Posts

  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    Got my alloy headset today. Knocked out the old headset, got ready to press in the cups . . . #$%^. Bromptons are still using 1" headset and this one is 1 1/8". Put it all back together, good thing I didn't destroy anything taking it apart.
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,897
    Post photos of your progress... always nice to see a Brompton job
    left the forum March 2023
  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,162
    edited November 2020
    Yet another one of those frequently asked questions on forums.........

    If I had a £1 every time the question was asked about adapting a folding bike to so it can be carried in a Van's VR-4 light aircraft..........😁
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    reaperactual said:

    Yet another one of those frequently asked questions on forums.........

    If I had a £1 every time the question was asked about adapting a folding bike to so it can be carried in a Van's VR-4 light aircraft..........😁

    The beauty is I didn't have to adapt it. I sometime forget how folks in the U.K. live. I drive a pickup, wear a ball cap, carry a .45 and fly an airplane. But I also drive a Lotus 7, ride a bicycle and drink tea.

    Turns out the old Bromptons us 1" headset and somewhere along the line they went to 1 1/8".
  • gethincerigethinceri Posts: 1,376
    Yeah, but i bet it’s not really tea.
    Photo required of brand of tea and colour of your completed brew.
    If you can’t use it to remove rust from a 1980s British steel frame it’s not tea.

    Best wishes from Wales!
  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,162
    swjohnsey said:

    reaperactual said:

    Yet another one of those frequently asked questions on forums.........

    If I had a £1 every time the question was asked about adapting a folding bike to so it can be carried in a Van's VR-4 light aircraft..........😁

    The beauty is I didn't have to adapt it. I sometime forget how folks in the U.K. live. I drive a pickup, wear a ball cap, carry a .45 and fly an airplane. But I also drive a Lotus 7
    You are one cool Dude.😎👍 That's awesome! 🤘

    I don't carry a .45 or own a plane but I'm happy that I can have a proper cuppa!☕

    Best wishes from the England too!

  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    gethinceri said:

    Yeah, but i bet it’s not really tea.
    Photo required of brand of tea and colour of your completed brew.
    If you can’t use it to remove rust from a 1980s British steel frame it’s not tea.

    Best wishes from Wales!

    Real tea! I have my own proper teapot with cozy. I most use Twining English Breakfast tea loose, with milk and sugar. I still mostly drink coffee army style, strong enough to float a nail.
  • gethincerigethinceri Posts: 1,376
    Solid. Fellow veteran approves!
  • gethincerigethinceri Posts: 1,376

    One my wife just made me, could’ve had a few more minutes, but just about acceptable.
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,897
    edited November 2020
    swjohnsey said:

    carry a .45 ...

    Why such a large calibre?

    Surely if you have to shoot someone one down on the boardwalk, a smaller calibre would give them a chance to survive and hence a lighter sentence for you?

    Asking for a friend, obviously... :D


    left the forum March 2023
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    Colt .45 ACP is pretty much the gold standard for one shot one kill in pistol rounds. Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them. I sometimes carry a Glock in .357 Sig. I have several calibers to choose from .25 ACP,32 ACP, 38 special, 357 magnum, 9mm, 41 magnum and even .22 LR.

    The last deer I killed was with my Colt Gold Cup in .45 ACP about 50 yards.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 22,933
    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
  • shortfallshortfall Posts: 3,288
    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    😂😂😂😂😂😂
  • acuna_readacuna_read Posts: 36
    swjohnsey said:

    The rear doesn't have a latch like modern Bromptons. Is it possible to upgrade to more current suspension block and latch?

    Yep, did exactly this to mine. I got mine from SJS cycles here in the UK but there must be a good brompton parts stockist in the US somewhere.

    https://sjscycles.co.uk/frames/brompton-rear-frame-clip-retrofit-kit/

    Id also look at changing the suspension block if its been that long. I did similar to you and found it way too bouncy and wasting power. The new standard block is much better although there are aftermarket firmer ones out there too.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 22,933
    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 22,933
    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
    No. But some unarmed people have failed at trying to run away.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • david37david37 Posts: 1,313
    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
    No. But some unarmed people have failed at trying to run away.
    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
    No. But some unarmed people have failed at trying to run away.
    Never mind the woke lefties in here, good luck with the bike rebuild.

    Personally I think stand your ground is brilliant. As is not having playdates at a house where there isnt a gun :)

  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    david37 said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
    No. But some unarmed people have failed at trying to run away.
    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
    No. But some unarmed people have failed at trying to run away.
    Never mind the woke lefties in here, good luck with the bike rebuild.

    Personally I think stand your ground is brilliant. As is not having playdates at a house where there isnt a gun :)

    More people are killed each year by toddlers with guns than in shark attacks.

    Yet there is no toddler-nado film.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • david37david37 Posts: 1,313
    elbowloh said:

    david37 said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
    No. But some unarmed people have failed at trying to run away.
    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    pblakeney said:

    swjohnsey said:

    ...Never shoot someone if you don't intend to kill them...

    You might want to try telling that to your police officers.
    They already know it.
    Judge, jury, and killers then?
    Lockdown and staying indoors makes even more sense.
    U.S. cops are kinda funny, you try to kill them, they kill you. Have you tried hiding under the bed?
    No. But some unarmed people have failed at trying to run away.
    Never mind the woke lefties in here, good luck with the bike rebuild.

    Personally I think stand your ground is brilliant. As is not having playdates at a house where there isnt a gun :)

    More people are killed each year by toddlers with guns than in shark attacks.

    Yet there is no toddler-nado film.
    Check out Kids and Guns film 2014
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    More kids are killed on bikes in the U.S. than by guns.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 22,933
    Gotta watch out for those useless Usanian drivers.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    Bubba only turns left!
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 22,933
    swjohnsey said:

    Bubba only turns left!

    Bubba likes a challenge. Turning right is easier.
    Did you slip up there?
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    There are a few right turns at Watkins Glen.
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    I wish I could find a source for the changes made to Bromptons over the years. It appears the headset went from 1" to 1 1/8" at some point. Crankset was changed to spyder style. Five speed went away. Wheel base was changed slightly. Wheel rims were changed, etc.

    I've got a 1" Tange alloy headset coming, also some 192 g tires that will knock off another pound or so plus a light chain. Chain on there is 102 L, new chain is 100 L but I think it will work.
  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    swjohnsey said:

    More kids are killed on bikes in the U.S. than by guns.

    Are they killing other people with them?
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • swjohnseyswjohnsey Posts: 263
    There is always a first. Deaths of kids on bikes is way down because, sadly, kids in America don't ride bike anymore. I used to go for a ride on Christmas morning to see all the kids with new bikes. This Christmas I didn't see a single one. Christmas in South Texas is generally 60 - 70 and sunny, much like summer in the U.K.
  • WheelspinnerWheelspinner Posts: 6,306
    swjohnsey said:

    There is always a first. Deaths of kids on bikes is way down because, sadly, kids in America don't ride bike anymore. I used to go for a ride on Christmas morning to see all the kids with new bikes. This Christmas I didn't see a single one. Christmas in South Texas is generally 60 - 70 and sunny, much like summer in the U.K.

    Maybe word got around that you go riding with a .45 in your pocket and the kids are staying out of sight.
    Open O-1.0 Open One+ BMC TE29 Titus Racer X Ti Seven 622SL Kestrel RT1000 On One Scandal Cervelo RS
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