r0ckh0und 

Picked up this British Eagle today. I managed to find a few examples but nothing this early. Which I am guessing to be mid 70s. Sporting 1st gen DA/Crane, Phil hubs and BB, Campagnolo dropouts, 27.0 seatpost and Sugino crankset. There is no tubing decal present but the lug work looks very nice. As found.

juvela

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very nice find

BOCAMA Competition lug set

rapier pattern chainstays

is saddle pillar Weyless?

frame appears earlier than the heat treated rims, suspect wheels built or rebuilt subsequent to frame/bicycle purchase

would think latest possible date for frame 1974

first D-A components launched 1973

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r0ckh0und 

Once again, thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge juvela.

I suspected the same of the rims. I was looking for a mark on the seatpost but have removed anything as of yet.

Would it be safe to assume that this is 531?

r0ckh0und 

The 6 speed freewheel does not look to be original either.

branko_76 

You have a very nice bike r0ckh0und !

I saw it and was tempted to contact the seller but I'm glad a BF member got it. It would be interesting to know its history.

smontanaro 

Nice. You'll have to name him Eddie.

juvela

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Whoa Nellie!

That looks pretty close back there.

Difficult to imagine there be eno' room betwixt small cog and Mr. Dropout

Suspect someone has mounted a 6V block to a 5V hub.

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Again, congratulations on this very nice find.

Please keep us updated as you work with it.

Yes, would assume until proven otherwise that tubeset 531c.

You should find a marking on the steerer when you repack hs.

Have you discovered a serial?

For further information on the marque/maker I would check the Brit based forums, if you have not done so already.

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branko_76 

too tight on the drive side...

what's up with the spacer on the non-drive side?

juvela

minor note on wheels -

after posting recalled something about the Phil hubs

at launch ~1971-72, they came with barrels which had a shinier and more silvery finish

these satin grey barrels came later

so am thinking that when first assembled into a complete cycle wheels were entirely different, whether the assembly made by manufacturer, retailer or owner

the Phil bb may be a replacement as well...

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attsa da wey dey mayde

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branko_76 

oh

r0ckh0und 

Serial number on BB 85259

Seatpost and stem move freely. Seatpost does appear to be Weyless

DA headset is severely indexed

juvela

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one short term workaround for brinneling is to rotate the two head cups by an amount equal to one-half ball

just make a mark with a marking pen before removing them so as to have a reference

if balls currently in retainers change to loose


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T-Mar

Assuming black Dura-Ace is OEM, time range is 1975 to 1978 model years. Probably 1978, based on serial number. Curiously, the crankset is Sugino Mighty Comp. Rims appear to be early 1980s Araya Aero model. 27.0 posts suggests Reynolds 531 DB. Component date codes?

I agree with the previous comments regarding frame to small cog spacing. I'm surprised it will actually shift between the two small cogs without interference from the seat stay.

juvela

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wondered anent this as well

possible frame may have snoozed with a retailer for a time prior to being built up

if consumer assembled, owner may have selected Sugino chainset because they had already a stash of 144BCD chainwheels
the D-A BCD was new as of 1973

when you gain information on mfr it may be possible to get a frame date from serial

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r0ckh0und 

Started the clean-up on this last Thursday and made quite a bit of progress, given that the BB and hubs are Phil. I removed the DA headset, cleaned it up and the bearing surface looked surprisingly good. So, I put it back together and the severe brinelling is gone. Upon cleaning and inspecting the fork, I found no maker markings on the steer tube and no helical ridges inside.

r0ckh0und