Dannyboy21

Dawes Galaxy SN T8226
1. I am trying to determine year of manufacture. I have read conflicting information about Dawes date codes that put this either at 78 or 82, both of which seem weird with a cottered crank. Thoughts?
2. Any Dawes lovers out there want to convince me I need another bike? It is my size and all parts move as they should. Paint is fair to good and decals are so-so but no real rust. Tires are new. It would make a decent commuter for my 2Km to work. (But so does my Trek 520) Anyway priced at 100 CAD it seems lile I cannot let this go. Anyone want to argue for or against?

Mr. 66

It looks closer to '72, there should be dates on the Simplex, and maybe a date on the saddle frame. It does look to have replaced wheels, it looks like Shimano hub in the rear. Is it under bb cables? Even in 1982 that was not common.

Pcampeau

I believe by 1978 the Galaxy was no longer a cottered crank bike and with this torch headbadge 1982 is out the question. Not sure how one would date a Dawes via serial number, we never seem to be able to do that here because there are no records. The Dawes factory burned in about 80 or 81. I’d look to earlier examples and match the decal font, that should get you close on the date.

It looks to be really nice from here, at that price with new tires already on it, you could easily flip this one for a small profit if it turns out you don’t want it. That alone would convince me to try it.

Dannyboy21

I already have a handful of bikes to sell, so this one would be to keep. I am definitely leaning toward buying if just to use during next week's pub crawl ride.

nlerner

Bluemels fenders and Brooks saddle are worth the asking price alone.

Pcampeau

I agree with Mr. 66, it looks early 70s.

Pcampeau

I think you’re right, as I look through the 1976 catalog the badge had changed even by then.

juvela

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agree with earlier posters that it looks to be a boomer

the biycle's model of Simplex Prestige shift lever nominally launched in 1970 but did not begin coming through on new machines before 1971
by 1974 the design of the mounting band for this shift lever model had changed to one showing the Simplex "compass star" pattern

the final year for this model of M.M. Atom quick release skewer worn by the machine was 1972
for 1973 the lever received a curve and the nut became a combination of chromed steel and black plastic

the Simplex Prestige gear mechs can be checked for date as mentioned previously -




chainset appears to be a Nicklin product

headset is Brampton

pedals are Lyotard model Nr. 36

would think machine could only be a 1971 or 1972 model

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rustystrings61 

The Dawes Galaxy of this era is roughly comparable to a Raleigh Super Course - plain gauge Reynolds 531 main tubes with unlabeled forks and stays. Many years ago the VCC's Dawes marque specialist suggested that my c.1962 Dawes Realmrider was built with Tru-Wel tubing. Here's the road test for when the model was introduced in 1969. The bike in question looks a little later, being fitted with "safety levers" on the brakes. If it fits you, it's worth it. I'd say follow Juvela's recommendations about date codes on the derailleurs.

himespau 

With the saddle slammed that low, I'd be a bit nervous about it being stuck. Just me and my paranoia though. Bits might be worth that price even if it is.

Dannyboy21

I checked both the stem and the seat post to make sure they moved freely. Great advice though!

juvela

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spanner twistin' tip -

none of the images provide a good eno' view of the machine's headset for a solid ID down to the model

recall these as coming through at this epoch with a Brampton set composed of floating u-races which uses one eighth inch loose ball

take care when opening things at this location so as not to have scores of eighth inch round things rolling about your floor...


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Dannyboy21

Well, I cannot get the bike out of my head, so I am going to pick it up today. I will give a bit of a cleaning then take some better photos including the derailleur date codes suggested by juvela . Bought a small minty Nishiki Landau equipped with Golden Arrow and some neat Campagnolo pedals that once cleaned, tuned and re-sold will pay for the Dawes. So, like I like to tell my wife ... it is like the Dawes was free!

JohnMorgan

“But darling, it’s not another bike - it’s the Family Heirloom!”

Dannyboy21

Seems you were spot on juvela 1972 rear Simplex. Seat is Lycett L'Avenir. Did some basic cleaning and tinkering tonight, but she is not ready for a photoshoot quite yet. Here are some teasers.

juvela

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good to read information of use

saddle interesting
have a recollection of them coming through with Wrights;
but heck it has been a half century and must face reality of memory fallibilitudosityness
Lycett model it received actually nicer than what was thinking of...

single best upgrade you could make, if interested, would be a MAEDA gear ensemble to get away from the Delrin...

no need for anything fancy/costly; a VGT Luxe rear mech paired with a Compe-V front mech and some ratchet downtube shifters would be excellent

benefits include better shifting and reliabilty, fittings contemporaneous with cycle so "period correct" and greater gear range capacity

hope you have lots of good enjoyment with this bicycle



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Insidious C. 

My Galaxy has head badge with gold flames and originally had a 71 Simplex RD. Maybe 72 marks the appearance of red flames on this style head badge? Currently running the same Suntour mech's referenced by juvela above and, coincidently, a L'Avenir saddle (not original). I'm happy with the DRs shifting even without ratcheting DT shifters. Dannyboy21 is the s/n stamped on dropout or BB?

rustystrings61 

Juvela's recommendation of SunTour VGT-Luxe is EXACTLY what I did with my first Simplex-equipped bike, and the full ensemble with a SunTour freewheel cured what ailed a lot of nice bikes. I think someone should do a head-to-head comparison of the Dawes Galaxy and the Raleigh Super Course sometime, as they both were plain gauge 531 with nameless forks and stays, both came stock with cottered cranksets, Normandy Sport high-flange hubs, alloy 27-in rims, Weinmann Vainquer centerpulls ... would they ride the same way? How would they differ? Now to just find someone with one of each in similar nick ...

Dannyboy21

My wife's irises look fantastic this spring.

Dannyboy21

Loving the GB bar and stem.

Pcampeau

Yes, I think the GB bar and stem along with that head badge really dress this frame up nicely. I don’t love every part that came stock with my early 70s Galaxy but the GB bar and stem feel like essential character that I’ll never change out.

juvela

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gear block -

some of these at this time came through with an Atom block

others received a block from Thomas D. Cross and Sons Ltd (TDC)

the latter had some quality control problems which earned them a poor reputation amongst mechanics & retail shops

one of the downsides of the TDC is that it requires a unique remover which can be somewhat difficult to locate




it also has the disadvantage that one must partially disassemble the axle set in order to use it

if you have a TDC would encourage you to think about replacement...


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Dannyboy21

I will have a closer look at the cluster. The front wheel is a Nisi clincher which seems like a replacement but maybe not. The rear is Araya with Shimano hub, so definitely is. Pretty sure the KMC narrow chain is not appropriate ... and likely is the cause of some skipping.

Dannyboy21

juvela - Yup, I was right. The rear Shimano hub has a 5 speed Shimano freewheel on it. So, no worries about extraction tools.