Need help identifying this bike please :)
#1
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Need help identifying this bike please :)
Hi folks
I just picked up this lovely old thing from a local classified advert, and I'm intrigued as to what it might be. It's been repainted I think, so there are no badges on it at all, but it does have a serial number F276 and the bottom bracket is stamped NERVEX - and the lugs being the works of art that they are, I'm assuming they're all Nervex.
Would love to know what it is if anyone recognises it. Cables are routed through braze on cable guides above the bottom bracket in case you can't see from the pictures. The bike is in the UK so I'm working from the assumption that it's made here too, but obviously can't be sure.
Thanks for looking
I just picked up this lovely old thing from a local classified advert, and I'm intrigued as to what it might be. It's been repainted I think, so there are no badges on it at all, but it does have a serial number F276 and the bottom bracket is stamped NERVEX - and the lugs being the works of art that they are, I'm assuming they're all Nervex.
Would love to know what it is if anyone recognises it. Cables are routed through braze on cable guides above the bottom bracket in case you can't see from the pictures. The bike is in the UK so I'm working from the assumption that it's made here too, but obviously can't be sure.
Thanks for looking
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#2
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The wrap around seat stay bridge ought to be a clue. I don't recall seeing that style before.
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#3
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I wonder if removing the front rack, to get a better look at the fork crown, would help with ID. Also wonder if there would be anything informative stamped on the steerer tube.
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I don't recall seeing a chainstay derailleur cable stop angled out like that before, either - that looks like it's the classic Campagnolo diver's helmet. I think this bike had braze-ons added when it was repainted because those top tube cable tunnels look newer than the rest of the bike. I would love to see what the fork crown looks like under the clamped-on Pletscher front rack.
#6
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Obviously British, with the right-side headlamp mount and the wraparound seat stay. BB threading and shell width will quickly rule out French, Swiss, and Italian. Austrian bikes of that vintage used ISO BB threading, but the head lugs rule out Capo, which was very distinctive, and the Austrians had been driving on the right since the 1930s, so no right side headlamp mount.
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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
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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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looks Britain of the 1950's
"pencil" seat stay treatment
note how small is the seat stay gauge down at the dropout
appears to have been constructed with rapier pattern chainstays
crown is likely one of the Vagner patterns as the "V" is visible on its flat top
these dropouts should twig the memory of a reader; not something oft encountered
suspect that all of the braze-ons, save for the pump pegs & lamp boss, represent post-manufacture additions
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looks Britain of the 1950's
"pencil" seat stay treatment
note how small is the seat stay gauge down at the dropout
appears to have been constructed with rapier pattern chainstays
crown is likely one of the Vagner patterns as the "V" is visible on its flat top
these dropouts should twig the memory of a reader; not something oft encountered
suspect that all of the braze-ons, save for the pump pegs & lamp boss, represent post-manufacture additions
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Last edited by juvela; 08-29-20 at 08:09 PM. Reason: addition
#8
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Thread Starter
Wow, thanks for your insightful and helpful replies, folks!
I was not expecting it to potentially be a 1950's frame... how cool is that?!
If I have time over the weekend (after taking it for its first proper ride) I'll try and photograph the more unusual bits in detail, and also remove the fork and see if there are any clues on the steerer.
Watch this space.
I was not expecting it to potentially be a 1950's frame... how cool is that?!
If I have time over the weekend (after taking it for its first proper ride) I'll try and photograph the more unusual bits in detail, and also remove the fork and see if there are any clues on the steerer.
Watch this space.
#9
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Haven't got around to taking the front rack or fork off yet, but I did take it for a good ride this afternoon. Fantastic ride feel. Accelerates and climbs with total ease, even with those big-ass tyres!
I also realised I only photographed the drive side, but the NDS has this funky little grease port in the lug above the lower headset bearing - maybe it looks familiar to someone?
I also realised I only photographed the drive side, but the NDS has this funky little grease port in the lug above the lower headset bearing - maybe it looks familiar to someone?
#10
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I assume there's a similar oil port on the left side of the bottom bracket as well. Those were common up to a certain time, when they fell out of use. I agree it's from the 50's and very nicely made.
I'd like to see the fork crown and the seat stay bridge, both front and back dropouts, and the seat stay tops. Serial number location may help as well (i expect there's a serial number on the steerer as well as the frame).
i am not convinced all the brazed on bits are later additions. Could be, but i don't know.
Are there holes on the head tube where a metal badge was attached?
I'd like to see the fork crown and the seat stay bridge, both front and back dropouts, and the seat stay tops. Serial number location may help as well (i expect there's a serial number on the steerer as well as the frame).
i am not convinced all the brazed on bits are later additions. Could be, but i don't know.
Are there holes on the head tube where a metal badge was attached?
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#11
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So that's what our asses were called then, "bio holes"?
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I think it's odd to see the top tube cable guides on a bicycle with pump fittings and a light bracket mount. Those rear dropouts are distinctive. Any idea if they're forged or stamped? Know the seatpost diameter?
Wondering if this is perhaps a Viking or a Falcon (2nd grade education level guesses)
Wondering if this is perhaps a Viking or a Falcon (2nd grade education level guesses)
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@tonyfourdogs - It would be great to see closeups of the brake bridge, seat stay caps (aka top eyes) and the frame number, if nothing else, for future reference.
From the details I can see in the posted pics, I'd agree with @juvela and @rustystrings61 about the cable stop and top tube guides being later additions.
The brake bridge, dropouts (which I think are Chater-Lea) in combination with the Nervex lugs, serial number format and (possibly) seat stay caps I think are are all consistent with Hill Special.
Since this frame is built with Nervex lugs, it would most likely be their 'Road Path' model from 1953 (according to the frame number list on hill-special.co.uk).
So, as @rhm pointed out, a nicely made (and nice looking) frame. They were advertised as 'the Rolls Royce of Cycles', after all.
Here are some pics:
From the details I can see in the posted pics, I'd agree with @juvela and @rustystrings61 about the cable stop and top tube guides being later additions.
The brake bridge, dropouts (which I think are Chater-Lea) in combination with the Nervex lugs, serial number format and (possibly) seat stay caps I think are are all consistent with Hill Special.
Since this frame is built with Nervex lugs, it would most likely be their 'Road Path' model from 1953 (according to the frame number list on hill-special.co.uk).
So, as @rhm pointed out, a nicely made (and nice looking) frame. They were advertised as 'the Rolls Royce of Cycles', after all.
Here are some pics:
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Thanks so much DCI Moss.
Always knocks 'em clean out the ballpark he do!
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Thanks so much DCI Moss.
Always knocks 'em clean out the ballpark he do!
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#15
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MauriceMoss you absolute legend! That's my bike! Thank you so much
Thanks everyone else for your enthusiastic and insightful replies.
Thanks everyone else for your enthusiastic and insightful replies.
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it looks like the lamp bracket is the only possible original fitting being worn by the cycle
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it looks like the lamp bracket is the only possible original fitting being worn by the cycle
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Maybe you should ask the Mods to edit the thread title for posterity. Facilitate future searches on Hill Special bikes
Lucky guy!
Lucky guy!
#18
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Good idea. I've had a quick poke around the dashboard etc, but I can't see an obvious way to contact the mods. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks