1975(?) Dawes Galaxy
09-30-18, 08:28 PM
#1
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1975(?) Dawes Galaxy
I just picked up this Dawes Galaxy. The seller said that his father in law bought it in 1974 or 1975, and it does seem to resemble the one in the 1975 catalog I found online.
However, it has an interesting assemblage of components, many of which I would guess are upgrades from stock
- Huret front derailleur
- Suntour GT rear derailleur (upgrade?)
- Suntour shifters (upgrade?) mounted on the stem (downgrade?)
- Sakae SA crankset (upgrade?)
- Sakae bottom bracket (upgrade?)
- Weinmann center pull brakes
- Shimano hubs (upgrade?)
- Shimano quick release skewers (upgrade?)
- Aluminum (I think) 27" rims (upgrade?)
Does that sound right? Pictures of particular components available on request.
However, it has an interesting assemblage of components, many of which I would guess are upgrades from stock
- Huret front derailleur
- Suntour GT rear derailleur (upgrade?)
- Suntour shifters (upgrade?) mounted on the stem (downgrade?)
- Sakae SA crankset (upgrade?)
- Sakae bottom bracket (upgrade?)
- Weinmann center pull brakes
- Shimano hubs (upgrade?)
- Shimano quick release skewers (upgrade?)
- Aluminum (I think) 27" rims (upgrade?)
Does that sound right? Pictures of particular components available on request.
09-30-18, 08:57 PM
#2
Full Member
The factory-stock Dawes Galaxy I saw some years ago had lovely engraved handlebars - does yours?
The Weinmann center pull brakes, GB handlebar stem, and Huret front derailleur may be original. Your front rim looks like an older Weinmann. If the hubs are Normandy you may be able to read a date code from the centers of the hub shells. The date format is mm/yy so 04 78 would be April 1978.
Stronglight steel cottered cranks were original equipment on the example I examined.
The Weinmann center pull brakes, GB handlebar stem, and Huret front derailleur may be original. Your front rim looks like an older Weinmann. If the hubs are Normandy you may be able to read a date code from the centers of the hub shells. The date format is mm/yy so 04 78 would be April 1978.
Stronglight steel cottered cranks were original equipment on the example I examined.
10-01-18, 02:26 AM
#3
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I have found, built and ridden several Dawes Galaxy bicycles, over the years.
Some of the components have been changed out on the OP's Dawes. This Dawes is original(Weinmann brakes, Simplex transmission, Stronglight cottered crank, 27" steel wheels, Normandy hubs, Wrights saddle(usually) a Brooks option seemed to be available, though...
Some of the components have been changed out on the OP's Dawes. This Dawes is original(Weinmann brakes, Simplex transmission, Stronglight cottered crank, 27" steel wheels, Normandy hubs, Wrights saddle(usually) a Brooks option seemed to be available, though...
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10-01-18, 08:11 AM
#4
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Thread Starter
The factory-stock Dawes Galaxy I saw some years ago had lovely engraved handlebars - does yours?
The Weinmann center pull brakes, GB handlebar stem, and Huret front derailleur may be original. Your front rim looks like an older Weinmann. If the hubs are Normandy you may be able to read a date code from the centers of the hub shells. The date format is mm/yy so 04 78 would be April 1978.
Stronglight steel cottered cranks were original equipment on the example I examined.
The Weinmann center pull brakes, GB handlebar stem, and Huret front derailleur may be original. Your front rim looks like an older Weinmann. If the hubs are Normandy you may be able to read a date code from the centers of the hub shells. The date format is mm/yy so 04 78 would be April 1978.
Stronglight steel cottered cranks were original equipment on the example I examined.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...andlebars.html
Is it a nice feature.
The hubs are Shimano, not sure about the rims - I haven't found any markings, but I haven't looked very closely either. A magnet was not attracted to the rim, so I'm assuming they are aluminum.
10-01-18, 08:16 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
I have found, built and ridden several Dawes Galaxy bicycles, over the years.
Some of the components have been changed out on the OP's Dawes. This Dawes is original(Weinmann brakes, Simplex transmission, Stronglight cottered crank, 27" steel wheels, Normandy hubs, Wrights saddle(usually) a Brooks option seemed to be available, though...
Some of the components have been changed out on the OP's Dawes. This Dawes is original(Weinmann brakes, Simplex transmission, Stronglight cottered crank, 27" steel wheels, Normandy hubs, Wrights saddle(usually) a Brooks option seemed to be available, though...
Have you seen any with Huret front derailleurs? Swapping out a Simplex for a Huret doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.
How would I figure out the max cog size for the rear derailleur? I'm thinking I'd like to get the biggest granny gear on there it can handle. Also, would it be able to handle a 6 speed cassette?
Last edited by mmcc73; 10-01-18 at 08:48 AM.
10-01-18, 09:01 AM
#6
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Early 70s Galaxies had Milremo branded hubs. Not sure through what year tho.
10-01-18, 09:50 AM
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Have you seen any with Huret front derailleurs? Swapping out a Simplex for a Huret doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.
"Does it make sense to do so?" You bet. Just about anything else will be better than the plastic Simplex, which was original to the Galaxy unless, of course, you are a purist, like me, then only original will do...
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10-01-18, 09:51 AM
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Swapping out a Simplex pushrod front derailleur that in all likelihood developed the dreaded Delrin crack and fell apart for an inexpensive but reliable and durable Huret makes sense to me!
10-01-18, 10:19 AM
#10
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I will be thankful for the Huret.
10-01-18, 11:56 AM
#11
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Good buy! I think all the Galaxy's were Reynolds 531 but straight gauge so not the lightest bikes. Quite nimble handling considering the long wheelbase and relaxed geometry. Very strong dependable touring bikes.
10-01-18, 12:41 PM
#12
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10-01-18, 01:20 PM
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As a purist, where do you find the OEM baling wire? 
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10-01-18, 02:44 PM
#14
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Nice bike. I would replace the stem shifters with barcons and keep the derailleurs.
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"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
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10-01-18, 02:56 PM
#15
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10-01-18, 05:16 PM
#17
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For completeness in the list of components, it has Wiemman rims and a Suntour Perfect 14-32t freewheel.
I certainly intend on replacing the chain, and I've always read that freewheels and chains should be replaced together. However, the teeth on this look like they are in pretty decent shape. Should it be replaced anyway?
I certainly intend on replacing the chain, and I've always read that freewheels and chains should be replaced together. However, the teeth on this look like they are in pretty decent shape. Should it be replaced anyway?
Last edited by mmcc73; 10-01-18 at 05:17 PM. Reason: Forgot picture
10-02-18, 03:36 AM
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Replace the chain with an eight speed master linked one. These chains are lighter and work better, on five, six, seven and eight cog sets, than do the old school ones. I prefer SRAM and that chain works just fine on this mid-fifties cottered crank and five cog freewheel...
As for the cog set? I would use it, assuming the freewheel is not too warn out inside (sloppy and wobbly).
As for the cog set? I would use it, assuming the freewheel is not too warn out inside (sloppy and wobbly).
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05-24-19, 03:36 PM
#19
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Well, I am finally "done" overhauling this bike. Besides the completely necessary stuff - general cleaning, chain, tubes, tires, cables, housings, bearings, brake shoes - I also...
- removed the decals that were in bad shape
- replaced the stem shifters with bar end shifters
- replaced the cup and cone bottom bracket with a cartridge
- replaced the pedals with Shimano ones with clips on one side, platform on the other
- replaced the stem with a Velo Orange quill to threadless adapter and a Velo Orange stem
- replaced the handlebars with a Velo Orange crazy bar
I'm pretty happy with it. I'm planning on doing some bike camping with my son, so soon it will also be getting a rack and panniers.
- removed the decals that were in bad shape
- replaced the stem shifters with bar end shifters
- replaced the cup and cone bottom bracket with a cartridge
- replaced the pedals with Shimano ones with clips on one side, platform on the other
- replaced the stem with a Velo Orange quill to threadless adapter and a Velo Orange stem
- replaced the handlebars with a Velo Orange crazy bar
I'm pretty happy with it. I'm planning on doing some bike camping with my son, so soon it will also be getting a rack and panniers.
05-24-19, 04:41 PM
#20
Hump, what hump?
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Looks great. Nice work!
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
