non-fixie 

Picked this up last week. Looks like a mid-eighties Galaxy. Does need some TLC:

jpaschall

Cottered cranks were still a thing mid-80's??

3speedslow

@non-fixie could well be an early 80's Dawes. Excellent snatch!

non-fixie 

I don't know what to think of it yet. The fork decal suggests it is post '82, steel cranks and rings were used by Dawes at least until the late seventies, but a single chain ring? OTOH, who would upgrade to such a thing?

Anyway, it was cheap, my size, and Galaxies have a reputation of being nice frames, so I'll remove the rust, and if there's any integrity left I'll raid the parts bin for some leftover touring bits.

tarsi 

Need help on this... Anybody able to guess the year? Also, having a hard time finding samples of the same "Galaxy" font on decal. Is this truly a Galaxy?

non-fixie 

Except for the fade paint job and the front light braze-on, it looks a lot like my frame (pictured above). My guess would be that it's just a few years younger. '85-ish?

mboro1876

It looks like 1981. I was about to buy one before realising it was the wrong size, and the owner sent me a catalogue shot.
EDIT: oof, sorry for the photo. First time I successfully got one to display on here.

1981 Galaxy by John Williamson, on Flickr

non-fixie 

^ You may be right, I overlooked the cable clips.

3speedslow

Don't feel bad folks, I've had mine for over 30 yrs and never could positively identify it. The PO helped...

non-fixie 

Ow, I like that BRG & tan look. Very classy.

3speedslow

Thank you! Wow, praise from @non-fixie the green is actually a light overspray, dead match to the original, done when I was on copious doses of pain meds. We have history together...

mboro1876

Here is my 1984 Galaxy. Quite special to me as my parents bought matching ones in 85 to tour around France. They still have the receipt. I'm in the process of servicing and improving it while using it as my daily commuter, a lot of fun with the help of the forum. Never really worked on bikes before.

Recent additions:
-- SR Alps-branded stem (slightly off colour but fitted the bill).
-- re-packed original headset.
-- re-packed lyotard pedals.
-- SR laprade seatpost after the previous clamp failed, Brooks C17 saddle.
-- Suntour VX-S rear derailleur as originally specified. Strangely, it had a Suntour AR set, so I wonder if the original selling shop just decided to build it up differently. Both shift great really, though the old AR rear needs some tlc.
-- Unusual 'solid-straddle' Weinmann centrepulls. I got a set of MAFACs for the reach, with a view to 700c wheels. But they seem flexy and I think I prefer the Weinmanns... probably I will just try filing out the caliper slots when I move to 700c.
-- Suntour Power ratcheting shifters. These were specced on the contemporaneous Super Galaxy, and are the single best addition I've made.
-- 6 speed freewheel replacing the original 5.
-- Velox brown tape.
-- Jim Blackburn rack, not sure where the original is but this is a great rack and more or less period correct.
-- A veritable flood of Barkeeper's Friend, to get rid of surface rust in the many minor chips.

It rides smoothly and quickly and seems more or less bullet proof. Got a real soft spot for Dawes, so glad to find this thread. Next jobs are to put on some decent 700c wheels, since I can't find good 27 inchers anymore. The bottom bracket is the final bearing-related job, left til last for obvious reasons. I'm also hoping to twine-finish the bars and maybe shellac them .

Also I think some Kool Stop Eagle 2's would fit well into the calipers and provide some needed adjustment. These brakes already stop well though, maybe the solid straddle helps in that respect.

Beautiful bikes in this thread . Anyway, pics...

Dawes by John Williamson, on Flickr

FullSizeRender by John Williamson, on Flickr

SR Alps Stem by John Williamson, on Flickr

Suntour VX-S by John Williamson, on Flickr

mboro1876

And I missed the chromed forks in the catalogue, so I may be wrong. In any case, the font looks legit at least. Who the hell knows with Dawes .

3speedslow

@mboro1876 that's quite a bike! I enjoy the story behind it. I really like those bars that came with your Dawes.

These are special bikes and I'm glad to have 2 myself even if I don't know what one is.

Insidious C. 

PSA for you Dawes freaks: Norris Lockley and a few others posted some interesting Dawes thoughts/facts over on the CR group within the last few days. I recommend checking it out.

Not long ago I acquired my first and only Dawes, a humble Galaxy, 71 or thereabouts. I am pretty excited about it. I'm a Dawes freak in training I suppose.

tarsi 

CR group? Sorry, new to the forum and not sure what that is.

Insidious C. 

Welcome to BF (Bike Forums) tarsi. CR is short for Classic Rendezvous. There is a CR site as well as Google Group which is where the discussion is.

3speedslow

Thanks for the PSA. Have we seen your Galaxy? Sorry if I missed it. My early 70's Galaxy is down and will be getting a 3 speed set up next.

Insidious C. 

Oops. This is a "show your Dawes" thread after all. When I got the bike it was original except for hipster flat bars, Chinese RD and ugly saddle. It is unlikely any original components will remain by the time it is ready to ride. Let's hear some ideas for a crankset. I'm contemplating Stronglight 49D.

3speedslow

We have the same except mine is yellow and paint beat! The 531 still gives a nice ride. Decided to not wait for the 3 speed build and instead go for a 5 speed city upright instead. All Suntour with Avocet saddle. In the middle of a huge downpour so the bike shield is over it now. Lousy rain!

<------ its the one in the picture.

Post the pic when it gets along more.

3speedslow

The strong light would be nice to use. I have a TA cyclotourist for when it goes to 10 speed. SR made some nice ones back in the 70's too.

3speedslow

Did some wrenching on the Dawes Galaxy today. Still need to finish the cabling and add a chain. Riding it tomorrow.
Already second guessing the need for the big freewheel and GT Suntour.

3speedslow

Finished for now with a short ride around the neighborhood. Got a few bugs to work out. Need a more upright saddle, longer cable housing on the rear brake, seatpost is slipping, very sluggish shifting. Quick and nimble with the 27" wheels but I still feel like I need to get myself lower on the is bike, remember too much it being a 10 speed tourer.

Did switch out the big GT and freewheel for a nice VX-S and 14-21 freewheel. Much better gearing for the coast. Have to install fenders next.

Insidious C. 

Dawes looking good @ 3speedslow . Sounds like you may be making some changes yet?

I find it frustrating that I can't pinpoint the model year of these Galaxies. They were not an uncommon bike after all.

juvela

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Is ends set Agrati? Cyclo? Cannot quite make it out.

Suspect blade transfer may be later than machine. Might e'en be a Realmrider or Flair perchance. Pillar size will be indicative...

An eighties beastie would have had some brzons methimketh.

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