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Help Dating a Carlton Franco Suisse

Old 06-04-18, 02:16 PM
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OutnBack
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Help Dating a Carlton Franco Suisse








I will update the post with photos when I have a chance.
I found this Carlton Franco Suisse, and I am trying to figure out when it was built. Stamped on the dropouts are K 1149. Reynolds 531, Nervex Lugs, Campy Gran Sport Fr & R Derailleurs, DT shifters are campy as well. GB Spear Point Stem, GB Coureur 66 Calipers, & GB Brake Levers. Carlton Head badge is intact. Paint has quite a bit of patina, decals are rough, but surface rust is almost nonexistent. Unfortunately, wheels are not original, & the leather on the Brooks Saddle is dry & severely cracked. Anyone familiar with the Carlton Franco Suisse model? Any help with dating would be appreciated.

Last edited by OutnBack; 06-13-18 at 07:21 PM.
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Old 06-04-18, 02:19 PM
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If this is correct, sounds like it's a 1962 model.

Dating Carltons
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Old 06-04-18, 07:04 PM
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The components and Carlton levers would date it to early 60's lostarchitect's date of 62 would be about the only year that would be consistent with the components if there original.
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Old 06-05-18, 03:08 PM
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Photos Added
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Old 06-06-18, 10:42 AM
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Great looking bike. I love the flamboyant style of 60's English lightweights.
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Old 06-06-18, 05:43 PM
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Great looking bike I really like the look of these early 60's when the had the two tone and chrome finish and were still somewhat Carlton before they fully became a second tier Raliegh /BBC brand.
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Old 06-06-18, 09:32 PM
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Trying to decide what to do with it. It's a little small for me, & a Technomic stem on it just does't seem right. An early 60's Franco Suisse frame & fork in a similar condition just sold on the-bay UK for $260. Decisions Decisions
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Old 06-07-18, 11:22 AM
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Why date her if you can own her, lol...JK, no real (or serious) commentary on this bikjust found out I need 6 more posts to upload / edit my previous posts...1 down 5 to go.
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Old 06-07-18, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by lostarchitect
Great looking bike. I love the flamboyant style of 60's English lightweights.
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Make that "flambouyant" -

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Old 06-07-18, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by OutnBack
Trying to decide what to do with it. It's a little small for me, & a Technomic stem on it just does't seem right. An early 60's Franco Suisse frame & fork in a similar condition just sold on the-bay UK for $260. Decisions Decisions
Looks a little big for me, or I'd consider making an offer. Frame and fork should be worth $200 or so, I'd think.
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Old 06-10-18, 01:10 PM
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OutnBack-

What is the center to top frame size? Stand over height? It's a lovely bike and it must fit someone.
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Old 06-10-18, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by OutnBack
Trying to decide what to do with it. It's a little small for me, & a Technomic stem on it just does't seem right. An early 60's Franco Suisse frame & fork in a similar condition just sold on the-bay UK for $260. Decisions Decisions
Is that all? I can practically hear the drool hitting the floor from some members That half step gearing looks awesome what size are the rings? Nice machine with great looking patina.
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Old 06-10-18, 04:10 PM
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Center to top of ct is 22", & stand over is 32.5"
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Old 06-28-18, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by GrainBrain
Is that all? I can practically hear the drool hitting the floor from some members That half step gearing looks awesome what size are the rings? Nice machine with great looking patina.
Crankset is a steel, cottered, Williams C 1232. Apparently it was their top of the line crank, & it seems to be collectible. One just sold on epay for $114, which is almost twice as much as I paid for the bike. The half step gearing is 52 46.

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Old 06-29-18, 07:17 AM
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A fellow just sat on a 62cm Carlton Corsa Strada frame from 1968 on Ebay for over a month, slowly dropping the price to $300 or thereabouts plus nearly $100 shipping. It finally sold. The paint work was in nicer condition than this but it had rather Boring prugnat lugs. There are a growing number of people interested in these bikes for their collectible value - Carltons in particular - and I'm sure if you cleaned it up and were patient on Ebay you might be surprised what someone is willing to pay. I'm certain the whole bike could fetch a few hundred dollars as is.

-Gregory
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Old 06-29-18, 08:01 AM
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Decent size and colorful. I would turn bars down some and sell as is. Would be nice on some orig wheels.

Good one Juvela.
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Old 06-29-18, 08:08 AM
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Is ends set Cyclo?

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Old 08-19-18, 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted by juvela
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Is ends set Cyclo?

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Yes, they are Cyclo
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Old 08-19-18, 07:58 AM
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Velobase lists the Courer 66 as beginning in 1963. Not sure how accurate that is but everything does seem to fit early 60s.
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Old 08-19-18, 08:09 AM
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In case anyone wishes to do a search on the arrestor set it is Coureur 66.

The posting at classiclightweights gives a launch annum of MCMLXI. Would give greater weight to their information in this case.



https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/gb.html

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Old 08-22-18, 03:58 PM
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Old 09-07-18, 03:48 PM
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Still fiddling with the Carlton & need to find a replacement set of 27" wheels w/ High Flange Hubs & 120mm spacing.
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Old 10-30-20, 10:41 PM
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Any thoughts on model year of mine? Crankset and derailleurs are obviously not original.
UPDATE: I am told by reliable sources that mine is a 1962, based on the serial number (see signature). Frame size is 55cm C-T, which is not only my size, but also the size of my Bianchi and my Capo triplets.

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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069

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Old 10-31-20, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by OutnBack







I will update the post with photos when I have a chance.
I found this Carlton Franco Suisse, and I am trying to figure out when it was built. Stamped on the dropouts are K 1149. Reynolds 531, Nervex Lugs, Campy Gran Sport Fr & R Derailleurs, DT shifters are campy as well. GB Spear Point Stem, GB Coureur 66 Calipers, & GB Brake Levers. Carlton Head badge is intact. Paint has quite a bit of patina, decals are rough, but surface rust is almost nonexistent. Unfortunately, wheels are not original, & the leather on the Brooks Saddle is dry & severely cracked. Anyone familiar with the Carlton Franco Suisse model? Any help with dating would be appreciated.
Two year old post but that is a beautiful bike.
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