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Frame ID Help Wanted

Old 12-12-09, 08:43 AM
  #1  
bh357
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Frame ID Help Wanted

Could someone please help ID this frame? It's been stripped and re-painted, but I could get the serial number off the BB shell later this morning.

Thanks in advance.

Here's what I know (or believe I know) about it so far: gaspipe tubing (based off of seatpost diameter), the brake bridge is labeled "Esge", originally made for 27" wheels. I'm guessing it was one of the nicer department store bikes from the 1970s (i.e. Free Spirit). I also cold-set the frame to fit the current rear wheel which has a 126mm spacing. I believe it was originally 120mm.

Ride quality is a mixed bag: the rear is very compliant (probably due to the long chainstays and titanium saddle rails), but the fork redefines the term "rigid"







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Old 12-12-09, 08:55 AM
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Cheap low end frame from the 1970s. Stamped drop outs and brake bridge. Wild guess would be a Raleigh Grand Prix one of many others made then.. They ride very nice. Roger
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Old 12-12-09, 08:59 AM
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Kent? Royce Union? what kind of cranks are those?
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Old 12-12-09, 09:26 AM
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bh357
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Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
Kent? Royce Union? what kind of cranks are those?
The cranks are not original to the bike (Raleigh cranks that I had laying around).

For a low-end frame (I had guessed it to be a department store bike from the '70s), she sure rides nice. As built in the photos, she's reasonably light weight also.
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Old 12-12-09, 09:35 AM
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Dropouts call out "Made in Japan," though the lugs are intriguing. Got a closeup of the latter?

-Kurt
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Old 12-12-09, 10:00 AM
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bh357
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Originally Posted by cudak888
Dropouts call out "Made in Japan," though the lugs are intriguing. Got a closeup of the latter?

-Kurt
The number stamped on the BB shell is 6066994.














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Old 12-12-09, 08:34 PM
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I think it's European, that big fat brake "plate" was something you saw on Dutch and Austrian bikes in the '70s...it's not high end but if it's doing the job for you, then
I might guess a Puch made for Sears, but just a guess.
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Old 12-12-09, 11:42 PM
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Looks very similar to a 1970's royce union that I have laying around, low end and indestructible
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Old 12-13-09, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by unworthy1
I think it's European, that big fat brake "plate" was something you saw on Dutch and Austrian bikes in the '70s...it's not high end but if it's doing the job for you, then
I might guess a Puch made for Sears, but just a guess.
Yea, I was thinking it might be a 1970s "Made in W. Germany" department store bike. Conversions can provide a good second life for those frames, and should work out well.
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Old 12-13-09, 08:57 AM
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Ooops! Just reread the thread. Esge is German, and they made fenders for touring bikes.
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Old 12-13-09, 12:07 PM
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I also believe that it is a low end European made bike, perhaps German, French, Austrian. This is mostly based on the rear brake bridge stamped 'esge', the rear dropouts, bb, and brazed on kicktstand mount.
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Old 12-14-09, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by jacksbike
I also believe that it is a low end European made bike, perhaps German, French, Austrian. This is mostly based on the rear brake bridge stamped 'esge', the rear dropouts, bb, and brazed on kicktstand mount.
Thanks for the help everyone. The bike rides great (although as I've stated the fork is extremely rigid). Currently geared a little low, but since I've built her up she's been used on her share of recovery and base rides.
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Old 12-14-09, 01:27 PM
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Right, Esge is/was a German bike parts manufacturer. Maybe it's a Kalkhoff? Your Free Spirit idea seems pretty plausible as well.
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Old 08-29-10, 09:05 PM
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its a Kalkhoff

Originally Posted by rhenning
Cheap low end frame from the 1970s. Stamped drop outs and brake bridge. Wild guess would be a Raleigh Grand Prix one of many others made then.. They ride very nice. Roger

THAT is a Kalkhoff frame, originally equipped with a suntour group 5 speed, pivo stem and handlebar, and weinmann wheelset, and weinmann center pull brakes. I just found one at a thrift store that came stock in around the same color. The decals are still on mine, and the rear reads "esge" and 'pat pend' 'made in germany' etc. I might be selling the frame on craigslist soon, as its a little too big for me! Mine is about 56cm.
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