Mercian Rider

toytech

nice!

Shaneferd

Sweet bike, thanks for sharing a few snaps! That's quite a changeup between top tubes, you just pick this one up? I'm near to completing a build on touring tandem #7590, and I'm all in for Jack Taylor cycles at the moment. Always a pleasure to meet another J.Taylor enthusiast & see their machines. Have a Nice Ride!

Captain Blight

Nobody did box-lining like Taylor. Maaaaan, thats nice!!

Shaneferd

That coach lining was a fine art, practiced by many British marques through the early/mid 20th century. Spearpoint lining is particularly attractive... A Beugler pinstriping tool & you too could become an artist on the next bike flipping project. 8)

photogravity

Ah, so you snagged it!! Congratulations, she's a beauty atmo. So have you had an opportunity to ride it yet? If so, what was she like?

Alex Moll

Congratulations on a very fine machine. I really love that colour.

Looks to be in excellent condition. Overhaul it, put on your favourite saddles, and ride like the wind!

Cheers!
Alex

Mercian Rider

Thanks for the positive comments.

Now here's the bad news, or maybe not. The stoker seat tube was damaged (cracked) by someone forcing in a too-large seatpost (forgive the excess grease):



Also, although overall the paint is in good shape, there a some areas where it's flaking off, and from what I can tell it's because there's oxidization under the paint.

I'd love some suggestions on how to address these problems. I'm thinking the seat tube might not be a big issue if I use a 400mm post, and there may be other solutions. As for the paint, I want to preserve or stabilize the original finish at all costs. Would a clear coat help keep the paint from flaking? But if rust is underneath, would that really be a good idea?

Standalone 

That bike is worth a professional repair to the SP. Still jealous of the aquisition! Congratulations on a great find.

Bianchigirll 

I agree on both counts!!! I would simply love a nice old tandem but then I need to find a stoker OY! plus at this point I would have to either move or sell three bikes to have room for it.

Isn't there a painter/ builder in Ohio..... I think around Cambridge area? I have a link on my deskdop it would certainly be worth looking into.

rhm

Well obviously I can't see the frame damage very well, but what I see doesn't bother me. I think I'd drill a hole at the bottom of the crack, to ensure that it doesn't spread, use a long seat post, and live with it. Another option would be to epoxy a reenforcement into it and use a smaller seat post. Replacing the tube means a complete repaint and though I'm not saying the frame isn't worth it, I wouldn't go there until all other options have been evaluated.

If you and your partner decide this is the best bike ever and you want to take it on a round-the-world tour, then maybe you want to consider the big repair. For the occasional Saturday ride, no rash decision is required. Keep your eyes open, obviously. And don't listen to jokers on the internet.

Mercian Rider

That's my preferred solution. I want to preserve the original paint, even though it's far from perfect. The thought of a total repaint leaves me feeling cold since it would mean destroying Jack's box striping. I've used the method you describe--a hole drilled at the end of a crack to keep it from spreading and long seatpost--and it seemed to work.

Scooper

If it were mine, I'd reinforce the rear quadrant of the seat tube (the vertical edges close to but not touching the seat stay brazing) from the top of the seat tube to about a half inch below the current stop drill hole with a piece of 28.6mm, 1mm wall thickness chromoly tubing silver brazed to the seat tube with good penetration of the filler throughout the joined surfaces of the seat tube and the reinforcement. Then redrill the stop drill and use a Dremel tool with carbide cutting wheel to cut a new slot in the rear of the reinforcement between the top and the stop drill hole. The seat tube O.D. should be 28.6mm, and a quarter section of the 28.6mm reinforcing tubing could be held in tightly place with a small C clamp from the front of the seat tube during the brazing process.

You'll need to touch up the repaired area with paint that closely matches the original, but it won't cost a fortune, won't look too bad and will be structurally sound.

My $.02 (which is about what interwebz advice is worth).

ColonelJLloyd 

I'd like to bump this thread to say that I am now the owner of this fine, 1979 Jack Taylor tandem. I would like to express a sincere thank you to Keith (Mercian Rider) for offering this bike to me after he determined that it wasn't right for him at this time. It was a pleasure to meet him as he was kind and generous.

There is a lot of work to be done, but in time (hopefully sooner than later) this tandem will be back on the road. As for the damage to the stoker seat tube, I think it may not be all that bad. More on that when I have time to inspect it closely.

The RD and shifters were replaced at some point. I will probably go ahead and upgrade them further, likely with an 8sp HG cassette and indexing shifters of some sort. Should the wheels need rebuilding I will probably do a 700c conversion.

I will update this thread with pics and details as things progress. This JT will fit my wife and I, which I am very, very happy about.

Mercian Rider

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and your little brother. Passing the bike on to you was the right thing to do--I can tell you thoroughly appreciate the bike and its history, and that you have the energy and skills to properly restore it. Thanks also for the small batch Rowan's Creek! Had a sip last night and it warmed my tired soul.

I hope you had a good meal in Worthington before you left.

Sold my RB-2 yesterday and immediately regretted it, so I've suspended the sell off until things improve. But I have no qualms that the JT was meant for you.

Eagerly awaiting photos.

photogravity

Ah, so you snagged it!! Congratulations, she's a beauty atmo. So have you had an opportunity to ride it yet? If so, what was she like?

ColonelJLloyd 

No, I have not ridden it yet. It will see only minimal road time until it's been overhauled.

Kobe 

I have seen what you can do with a tandem, and Mercian Rider is correct, it is in good hands.

lostarchitect 

Another awesome bike goes to a good home. Rock on.

Scooper

Congratulations, Justin! That's a terrific project... very worthy.

Alex Moll

I'll pile on. As Meauxtown would say - I'm a Jack Taylor man, and I'm very pleased this one ended up with you Justin. I think you're a Jack Taylor man, too!

jptwins

looking forward to see what comes out of this! i would love to try out a tandem like this!

ColonelJLloyd 

I've finally gotten around to this tandem. I've stripped it down, cleaned, FrameSaver'd and polished the frame. There are lots of nicks in the paint and some areas of missing paint, but all in all she's a beauty. Some quality pieces have found their way to this thanks to some helpful C&Vers. The stoker Campy post from fender1, RD and captain's post from nlerner and the super cool Jack Taylor stoker stem generously paid forward from Shaneferd. 39cm randonneur bars just won't do so I've installed 48cm VO bars and a Nitto riser bar for the stoker. There's still a good bit of work to do, but it's coming along.

lostarchitect 

Justin, wow. That's all I have to say.

fender1

Nice! That stoker post is incredible!