Clurrr

Hi

Can anyone tell me anything about this? I don't really know much about it really and am super intrigued.

It was my late fathers.

I know he won the Southport Junior 10m TT in 1960 something. Possibly on this?

He always told me Bill Bradley gave him the bike, but, well, who knows?

It's a Johnny Kay something or other, and is far from road worthy, although I'd absolutely love to get it up and riding again.

gomango

Welcome to our forum.

That is a pretty frameset.

Always exciting to receive an heirloom!

I have high hopes for this project of yours.

qcpmsame 

Agreed, it is a very nice looking frameset your dad left to you. The experts can give you more details about your bicycle, shortly. If I had it the good thorough cleaning of everything would be first, lots of pictures as you disassemble the various components so you have references. New cables and housings, tires, rim strips and tubes, lots of penetrating oil for the removal of rusted bolts and screws, and grease for the bearings, will be on the list for the project.

Some pictures of the bottom bracket from below, the serial number, it it is visable and can be found, will help with the background search for this builder. Best of luck with getting the bicycle back in riding order, it should be fun.

Welcome to BF and to the C&V Forum, too.

Bill

Clurrr

Thanks guys

These forums seem to be the only place on the whole internet with ANY info about Johnny Kay bikes at all.

Who even knew it could be so difficult to find stuff out.

Lascauxcaveman 

Man, I've never seen that much rust on spokes before! (unless it's just rusty colored dirt)

If you're interested in actually riding it, the frame looks nice enough to treat it to more or less all-new running gear, after a teardown and cleanup to see what is salvageable.

Big project!

Clurrr

It's been sat in the garage for at least 35-40 years. I'm amazed there isn't MORE rust to be honest. Sure the spokes are rotten, but the actual frame seems (to my untrained eye) to be reasonably solid.

A massive project, but worth doing?

obrentharris 

Definitely worth doing!
Brent

LeicaLad 

Oh, yes! The frame is rather special. I presume you used the search function here. We had several threads on Johnny Kay bikes a while back.

From what I see, it IS the frame that you want to keep. Many, if not most, of the components may need to be replaced, but the frame is totally a worthwhile project.

Take your time, but I am certain you will be very, very happy with the end product. (I certainly hope the frame is a good size for you!!!)

Congratulations!

...and welcome!

John E

Thanks for the post -- I have never heard of that particular marque, but that is one nice-looking frame. Are there any date codes on any of the components, or does anyone have a rough idea how Johnny Kay serial numbers correlate against year of manufacture?

I wonder if that old school Simplex shift lever was paired originally with a bandspring style derailleur, rather than the parallelogram type. Someone better versed than I in old Simplex kit may want to chime in.

daf1009

Never heard of Johnny Kay...but...wow...very jealous! That is one very cool frame.

jimmuller 

Yeah, those lugs are really nice. Build it carefully, then ride!

FBinNY 

Those are basic Nervex lugs, probably from the sixties. They were very popular with a number of builders because they gave a nice classic look without a ton of extra file work. Here's a set on a Schwinn Paramount, but you'll also see them on Peugeots of the era, and dozens of bikes out of France, England and the USA.

The top tube pump pegs, Simplex lever, and the name, make me believe it might be English from the early sixties, but it could be just about anybody in that era.

David Newton

Here's the thread you want:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...le-frames.html

Thumpic

That's a beautiful bike and obviously very important to you. I wish you well with your project.

On the practical side; that bike is rough! I'd count on replaceing everything except the frame. I've never tackled a bike that rusted, buf if I was sentimentaly attached, I'd have a qualified frame restorer give me an estimate on restoring the frame. If that level of rust exists inside the frame; you may just have memories to keep.

qcpmsame 

You might want to use the link provided by David, to the previous Johnny Kay frame thread. Its originated by Johnny Kay's son's wife, and the son follows on, his email is provided. You could see if he is willing to pop back in here, to just to get some of your questions answered. Apparently, these are reasonably nice English craftsman built frames, should be worth taking time and effort on. Please keep us posted on what you decide to do with your frame, I am another for getting that one back in shape. Best wishes fro your efforts.

Bill

nudgernog

Hi it's a follow up to the original post.

did you manage to rebuild the johnny kay

SJX426 

Clurrr Are you still around?

Moe Zhoost

Here's another link: Johnny Kay ? Hill Special Cycles

merziac

Absolutely worth doing.

Welcome aboard, glad you found us.

The fact that you are here and asking the question gives the answer.

You can start by hitting all the parts that come apart with WD-40 but don't let it sit on whats left of the paint, then disassemble carefully, don't throw anything away even if broken or useless. You may need them to help source new ones.

Steel parts can be soaked in Evaporust to get them cleaned up.

You have a chance to be the guy that you couldn't find on the internet, priceless.

DOH!, Zombie thread.