PeterLYoung 

I am in the process of restoring a circa 1955 Dayton Roadmaster Amalgam Bike.

After I obtained the frame I stripped it for inspection and found the Steerer Tube threads were worn out and the rear brake bridge was partially crushed and damaged
Both had to be replaced. My local bike shop has a Frame Builder they use and he repaired the frame as well as filling in any surface defects with brass.
The frame was then sent for Powder Coating in RAL 4008 (Signal Violet) the closest match I could make to one of the three colour options available from Dayton.

My plan is to rebuild the bike kitted as a 4 Speed Cyclo Benelux derailleur as offered by Dayton when new. I will use a Bar End gear changer as the gear change cable lugs are positioned to facilitate it.
It will also have Weinmann centre pull brakes and I will re use the Brooks B17 saddle it came with.

The wheels are using hubs from a 1950's Peurgeot Race Bike, rebuilt with stainless spokes to NOS Aluminium Rims 27" x 1" fitted with Panaracer Tyres.

I will post updates as the bike progresses.

Current state of bike


Replaced rear brake bridge


Bottom Bracket, Oiler still to be re installed.


Front Hub.


Head Badge installed. This badge may be earlier than the frame


GB handlebars and stem.


Regina 4 Speed Block 16 - 22 Teeth.


Here is extract from 1954 Dayton Catalogue. It shows colour options of Yellow, Cerise or Violet

Insidious C. 

Agree that is a nice color. I look forward to seeing this one progress. Hope you will post more pics along the way.

Nemosengineer 

A Very Cool Project.

: Mike

WGB 

And when you are done you will have a 65 year old bike that will look nicer, perform better and last far, far longer than 90% of the new bikes that are available for under $5-600.

Pompiere

This was a treat to see. Most people in the US associate Dayton and Roadmaster with something else entirely. Dayton bikes were made by Huffman, which later became Huffy, and are are usually heavy balloon tire cruisers. Roadmaster was an AMF brand and was used on their department store 10 speeds.

PlymouthJLA

Absolutely beautiful bike and awesome project. Really like the color.

PeterLYoung 

This Dayton is a UK maker based in North Acton, London
1939 Advertisement for Dayton Cycles

merziac

@PeterLYoung

Wonderful! Make it so and please keep us apprised.

PeterLYoung 

Some progress has now been made since original post so here is an update.

Frame now fitted with Bottom Bracket with Nicklin Crankset, Cyclo Benelux Mk7 Rear Derailleur and Weinmann Centre Pull Brakes.

Cables still to obtain and fit as well as Bar Changer for Rear Derailleur as frame has cable lugs from bar changer so going that route. Can't find a Cyclo Benelux one but have an old Suntour which will do the job until I find one.

Decals obtained to fit when bike is complete.

Not much will be done until I return from USA in September.


Bike as current condition.



GB Stem with GB Maes Bars.



Brook B17 Narrow in progress of treating with Proofide, slowly improving condition.



Fitted Cyclo Benelux Mk7 Derailleur.



Nicklin Crankset, Original Spec is Nicklin but a different model, this is nearest I could find. Pedals are Mavic CXC, the non maintainable version, however with such pedals I remove the end caps, wash the bearings through with Gasoline, flush with thin oil then drill the end caps 1/16" centre hole refit the caps then pump cycle grease through pedals until it exudes from crank end. These run really smoothly now.



It will be 4 Speed Gears as per original Catalogue Spec.



Weinmann Centre pull rear brake. More modern so not quite period correct but look the part.



Weinmann Centre pull front brake. NOS Weinmann Brake Levers.



Frame came sans Headbadge, found this one on eBay. Earlier design than correct for frame but I think it is nicer.

PeterLYoung 

Here is a further update as of 25th June 2019.
Decided not to go with center-pull brakes and switched to Weinmann 720 side pulls which are more in keeping with period, fitted brake cables, found this yellow sleeving which I think contrasts nicely with the Violet of the frame. Also I have obtained and installed decals that are now available from H Lloyds, luckily they are in white so they stand out against the Violet. Managed to find a period looking alloy High Pressure Pump of correct length to fit pump pegs, not many out there. All that is left to do is to fit Bar Change Gear Lever and Bar Tape. The lever is in USA so I will collect it on this forthcoming trip and fit on my return together with Brooks Black Rubber Bar Tape then it's finished. Looking forward to riding it!!!


1955 Dayton Roadmaster nearing completion


Fitted some Crane Creek Covers on Weinman Levers


Benelux Mk 7 Derailleur


Found and fitted a Lamp Bracket


Business End of Transmission, Nicklin Crank Set


Fitted Decals now available from H Lloyd


Front Brake changed to Weinmann 720 Side Pull


Rear Brake changed to Weinmann 720 Side Pull


I think the Yellow Brake Cable sleeves contrast nicely with the Violet of the frame

John E

I almost bypassed this thread when I saw "Roadmaster," for reasons noted above by Pompiere, but I am very glad I took a look.

Beautiful machine, great color. I like the sidepulls and wingnuts -- very period-proper.

What gear lever do you plan to use? I had a stylish old Simplex on my Sturmey Archer / Cyclo 3x4 hybrid transmission. Top tube mount using the cable guide on the seat stay?

dweenk

You always do first class work on your rebuilds, but I have to say that the red pump on the violet frame hurts my eyes

PeterLYoung 

Thanks your comments.
I have acquired a Suntour Bar End Lever so I can run the cable along top tube and down seat stay utilising the built in cable stops. Cyclo Benelux Bar End Levers seem unobtainable though I will keep looking. Regards Peter.

PeterLYoung 

Appreciate your comments thanks, The frames I have restored so far have all been too far gone for a sympathetic renovation so full restoration has been my route to go. Regarding the pump, I agree it does clash somewhat but you try finding a pump to fit those pegs, especially a usable one in fine condition, took me months. The pump is ‘as new’ so I don’t want to repaint it and I have now got used to it so I sort of like its jarring effect, quirky I know, but don’t we have to be so to spend all our time and money on these projects. Best Peter

Robert1967

Hi Peter,
The front forks on my Amalgam Roadmaster are chromed and painted half way up. I wonder if all other Amalgam Roadmasters were finished in the same way ?

Best Regards

Rob

PeterLYoung 

I have seen several photos of Roadmaster so treated but I do not know if this was standard. In the case of my frame, the previous owner had had it powder coated but I did not like the finish or colour plus it needed a new rear brake bridge and the fork steerer tube replaced as the thread was very poor and someone had expanded a stem tube inside sufficient to bulge the tube so I had it stripped and recoated in the Violet as near as possible to the Violet option in the 1955 Catalogue but I never saw the forks in the stripped state to determine if they had originally been chromed.
Incidentally I had a Dayton in the 1960's that I retrieved from a hedgerow (as one did in those days), the reason it had been discarded was that the handlebar stem was bent inside the steerer tube, nothing else wrong with the frame so I took it home and with a pair of stilsons wound out the bent stem and repainted the fame and built it as a single speed bike.
It was a nice lugged frame with fluted forks, no idea of model. Rode it for a number of years but when I left home had to sell it along with a Freddie Grubb and aSun Snipe as I had nowhere to keep them. Always regretted it hence my recent acquisition of the Dayton Roadmaster for restoration. I see you have two Daytons, interesting!!

PeterLYoung 

I have finally finished this restoration bringing the final parts, gear changer cable & cable and bar end friction shifter back from USA with me on my return last week.
I could not find a Cyclo-Benelux Bar End Shifter, seemingly rare as hens teeth so substituted a Suntour Bar End Friction Shifter which amazingly just manages the 4 Speeds available so it must originally been for 4 speed, anyway it seems to work well. I then wrapped the bars with Brooks Black Rubber Bar Tape, a bit tricky where the Shifter Cable exited by the brake lever (not done this before). When I got the bike out to do the work a Spoke Nut had broken on the front wheel and wheel had gone out of true, ran it down to Phoenix Cycles who built the wheels and while I waited they replaced the nut and re trued the wheels (how's that for instant service).
Photos are now posted below of the completed bike, have yet to take it out but weather not suitable so perhaps another day.


Bike ready to ride.


Drive Train, Cycle-Benelux Mk7 with Nicklin Crankset.


Cyclo-Benelux has new Springs Sleeve and Chain, all fully overhauled.


Lamp Bracket found on eBay.


Rear Hub with 4 Speed Block.


Bars wrapped in Brooks Rubber Bar Wrap, with Suntour Friction Shifter.


Another view of Bars

Graculus

That is a beautiful job. I have a similar vintage Dayton Roadmaster in poor condition that I’m trying to decide what to do with. Original bars, brakes, levers, shifter, Cyclo Benelux derailleur, chainset. Saddle too, but I think it’s too far gone. I’m trying to decide what to do with it. I don’t have much time for a restoration at present (and I have a mid-70s Holdsworth to do first) and it’s heavy so I don’t know whether I’d want to ride it anyway. But yours is so gorgeous that it makes me think it would be worth it.

repechage

I will be contrarian.
this is a Modification, not a restoration.
interesting color, totally too high in chroma for the period. The nickel plated chain, bright yellow cable housing. The pedals, The hoods, the pop rivets for the head badge, I would have looked for drive screws

it is interesting.

the red pump actually is intriguing, not my choice but they are few and far between.

PeterLYoung 

Thank You for your comment. Yours sounds more original than mine was with correct original components whereas mine had no original components, I would strongly encourage you to restore. There is a Dayton Group Page on Facebook you could join.

PeterLYoung 

Thank You for your comments, I appreciate all comments and that anyone has taken the time to look at my work and make them.
It is my choice how I restore my bicycles, my main object is to save them and restore them to useable condition. Racing and Club cyclists generally upgraded the components on their cycles as improved components became available so who is to say what the cycle should be built up with, I used to do the same when a more serious rider in my youth. many racing bikes started as purchased frame sets and were subsequently built up with buyers favoured components, there are no rules here but it is nice to maintain the spirit of the cycle if possible.
Best Wishes
Peter

Graculus

Thanks, Peter. I'll have a look at the FB group. I really don't think I can take on restoring this one so maybe I should put it up for sale.

Graculus

Now I've reached 10 posts, I think I can upload some pics. The forks are not original, as you can see. They were replacements in, I believe, the 1950s.

PeterLYoung 

Yes Definitely replacement forks but you have some rare original Dayton parts such as Handlebars and someone may have a pair of front forks so all is not lost.