Hi from a Proctologist
08-15-16, 01:29 PM
#1
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Hi from a Proctologist
That is, I'm the original owner of a Proctor road bike made here in Edmonton, Alberta, back in 1986. I think my trade-in was a Miyata Road Ace.
It has been through a few re-inventions over the years and is currently set up as a touring bike. Gruppo is predominantly Dura-Ace 7400 with a few diversions, mostly in the Shimano family. I still have the chrome fork, just swapped it out for something a bit more relaxed. 531c Reynolds tubeset with Campy dropouts.
The finish remains very fresh; paint was local Endura epoxy and the chrome is flawless. Alas the decals are starting to flake. I had a matching red/black Proctor skin suit, unfortunately it has gone astray over the years.
Aside from being light, these bikes are very strong. I was cut-off in traffic once and crashed at speed. I took the bike to Gary Townsend, who at that time was working on the later Proctor-Townsend frames. When put on his jig, we found it was still straight and true. Couldn't say the same for me or the early solid plastic helmet I was wearing; both suffering from severe road rash.
Hope you enjoy this old beauty as much as I do...
It has been through a few re-inventions over the years and is currently set up as a touring bike. Gruppo is predominantly Dura-Ace 7400 with a few diversions, mostly in the Shimano family. I still have the chrome fork, just swapped it out for something a bit more relaxed. 531c Reynolds tubeset with Campy dropouts.
The finish remains very fresh; paint was local Endura epoxy and the chrome is flawless. Alas the decals are starting to flake. I had a matching red/black Proctor skin suit, unfortunately it has gone astray over the years.
Aside from being light, these bikes are very strong. I was cut-off in traffic once and crashed at speed. I took the bike to Gary Townsend, who at that time was working on the later Proctor-Townsend frames. When put on his jig, we found it was still straight and true. Couldn't say the same for me or the early solid plastic helmet I was wearing; both suffering from severe road rash.
Hope you enjoy this old beauty as much as I do...
Last edited by Bike Talk; 08-24-22 at 08:05 PM. Reason: corrected info
08-15-16, 01:41 PM
#2
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Welcome to Bike Forums. Good looking bike. The folks in the Classic & Vintage forum would love to see it. 
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
08-15-16, 02:55 PM
#3
Proctologist
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08-15-16, 05:49 PM
#4
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Everyone's a critic.
08-15-16, 05:51 PM
#5
Proctologist
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08-15-16, 07:02 PM
#7
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Nice bicycle, you may want to go with test administrator, the proctologist label could be a real pain in the ass.....
Anywho, welcome to the forum, it is one nice looking bike, the DA 7400 group components looks like it was meant to be on that frame. Excellent job on your build choices.
Bill
Anywho, welcome to the forum, it is one nice looking bike, the DA 7400 group components looks like it was meant to be on that frame. Excellent job on your build choices.
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
08-16-16, 05:48 AM
#9
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Nice bicycle, you may want to go with test administrator, the proctologist label could be a real pain in the ass.....
I have owned a few Proctor or Proctor-Townsend bicycles, the prettiest of which was this lovely old example that I picked up while visiting family in Calgary a few years ago(bike is a Proctor but repainted by Townsend a few years before I got it). The Proctor was one of six bicycles I bought there that trip...
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08-16-16, 07:49 AM
#10
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Original gruppo was Shimano 600 SIS except the wheel hubs were upgraded to Dura Ace. It was slowly transformed with more DA over the years courtesy of fleabay. Even had the unusual DA barend shifters for awhile. IIRC original brakes were Modolo Speedy black anodized, sexy but ineffective.
08-16-16, 07:51 AM
#11
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Bummer!
I have owned a few Proctor or Proctor-Townsend bicycles, the prettiest of which was this lovely old example that I picked up while visiting family in Calgary a few years ago(bike is a Proctor but repainted by Townsend a few years before I got it). The Proctor was one of six bicycles I bought there that trip...
I have owned a few Proctor or Proctor-Townsend bicycles, the prettiest of which was this lovely old example that I picked up while visiting family in Calgary a few years ago(bike is a Proctor but repainted by Townsend a few years before I got it). The Proctor was one of six bicycles I bought there that trip...
08-17-16, 05:11 AM
#12
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That is a gorgeous bike! Are those the original Wolber rims?
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
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08-17-16, 08:27 AM
#13
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Cool, I see some similar parts. Mine was originally also equipped with Campy pedals and seatpost. Also looks like the same 3TTT handlebar (Grand Prix Tour de France?), but clincher rims and tires.
FWIW, I've reached out to Brad Proctor via Facebook to ask if he would mind sharing the story of his frame-building years. He's currently retired in Sechelt B.C. but active with trail-building and may also be running a B&B. He had a bike shop in town called On The Edge, which appears to be gone although he still maintains a relationship with a similar shop called Off The Edge - perhaps the same shop with new owners.
I'd really like to establish if, when, and how many frames he built for the Olympic rider Curt Harnett, who is presently in Rio as Canada's chef de mission.
FWIW, I've reached out to Brad Proctor via Facebook to ask if he would mind sharing the story of his frame-building years. He's currently retired in Sechelt B.C. but active with trail-building and may also be running a B&B. He had a bike shop in town called On The Edge, which appears to be gone although he still maintains a relationship with a similar shop called Off The Edge - perhaps the same shop with new owners.
I'd really like to establish if, when, and how many frames he built for the Olympic rider Curt Harnett, who is presently in Rio as Canada's chef de mission.
04-04-18, 05:49 PM
#14
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Proctor Bicycles History
The man himself, Brad Proctor, has posted up some literature from back in the day on Instagram - search "trevorbradproctor".
I've taken the liberty of converting what is visible from the newspaper article into text for the benefit of forum members. I believe the article was printed in our local Edmonton Journal newspaper sometime after the World Universiade Summer Games held here in 1983.
This earlier article found on the web was distributed by Canadian Press in 1979. Oddly, it doesn't mention his racing pedigree.
I've taken the liberty of converting what is visible from the newspaper article into text for the benefit of forum members. I believe the article was printed in our local Edmonton Journal newspaper sometime after the World Universiade Summer Games held here in 1983.
...Again, Brad showed his tenacity. Within two years, he placed second in the Alberta 43-km time trials.
He went on to coach and met his wife Lorraine cycling. She later managed the Alberta team.
Never a man to sit still, Brad tired of his machinist job and left to work for Bob Townsend at High Country Sports.
“There was an 18-month waiting list for European bikes,” said Brad. “So one day I got some tubing and put a frame together.
“It had a few quirks but it didn’t turn out bad. I made another and raced on it.”
Brad says a good frame is tailor-made for comfort and should help a bike rider like a Rolls Royce rather than a cement block.
“Cyclists want to be able to accelerate immediately,” he said. “They don’t want a frame absorbing extra effort.”
He uses what is called a double-butting construction method. Tubing is lighter in the middle and heavier on the ends, where more stress is handled.
Others liked what they saw and, fed up with waiting for an imported frame, they asked Brad to make them one.
More orders followed until he expanded his operation to take over most of Townsend’s basement on 124th Street and 114th Avenue.
“We’ve doubled sales in the last year,” he said. “We expect to produce 140 frames this year, of which 80 or 90 will be complete bicycles.
“There must be about 300 Proctor frames in the city now. And we are selling in Calgary and Winnipeg.
“It’s a very competitive business. People think because a frame has an Italian name, it has to be good.”
Brad’s frames – he uses the best Italian and English tubing – sell for between $600 and $1,200. With the best equipment, an assembled bike could cost up to $2,500.
Twenty-five per cent of his sales are to triathletes who want better bikes.
“The Commonwealth Games and the World Student Games did a lot for the sport of cycling,” said Brad, who was in charge of cycling events during the university games.
“This is a very pro-sports town and when people see top international competition, you don’t have to sell it to them.”
He believes cycling has a future here and looks to further expansion.
“Capital is the big thing,” he said. “The marketing potential is certainly here.”
Talking to Brad, you can see he’s still ready to sell vegetables door-to-door – if that’s what it takes.
He went on to coach and met his wife Lorraine cycling. She later managed the Alberta team.
Never a man to sit still, Brad tired of his machinist job and left to work for Bob Townsend at High Country Sports.
“There was an 18-month waiting list for European bikes,” said Brad. “So one day I got some tubing and put a frame together.
“It had a few quirks but it didn’t turn out bad. I made another and raced on it.”
Brad says a good frame is tailor-made for comfort and should help a bike rider like a Rolls Royce rather than a cement block.
“Cyclists want to be able to accelerate immediately,” he said. “They don’t want a frame absorbing extra effort.”
He uses what is called a double-butting construction method. Tubing is lighter in the middle and heavier on the ends, where more stress is handled.
Others liked what they saw and, fed up with waiting for an imported frame, they asked Brad to make them one.
More orders followed until he expanded his operation to take over most of Townsend’s basement on 124th Street and 114th Avenue.
“We’ve doubled sales in the last year,” he said. “We expect to produce 140 frames this year, of which 80 or 90 will be complete bicycles.
“There must be about 300 Proctor frames in the city now. And we are selling in Calgary and Winnipeg.
“It’s a very competitive business. People think because a frame has an Italian name, it has to be good.”
Brad’s frames – he uses the best Italian and English tubing – sell for between $600 and $1,200. With the best equipment, an assembled bike could cost up to $2,500.
Twenty-five per cent of his sales are to triathletes who want better bikes.
“The Commonwealth Games and the World Student Games did a lot for the sport of cycling,” said Brad, who was in charge of cycling events during the university games.
“This is a very pro-sports town and when people see top international competition, you don’t have to sell it to them.”
He believes cycling has a future here and looks to further expansion.
“Capital is the big thing,” he said. “The marketing potential is certainly here.”
Talking to Brad, you can see he’s still ready to sell vegetables door-to-door – if that’s what it takes.
This earlier article found on the web was distributed by Canadian Press in 1979. Oddly, it doesn't mention his racing pedigree.
14 May 1979: Machinist builds bikes
EDMONTON (CP) – Bicycles built for two? That’s not Brad Proctor’s style.
Proctor specializes in building custom bicycles fashioned according to the whims and physical specifications of his individual customers.
The 28-year-old former auto machinist now is bike builder in residence at a small Edmonton cycle shop involved in manufacturing custom thoroughbred racing and touring bicycles.
If you’ve got the price – which may run up to $2,000 – Proctor will build you a bike from scratch that pampers your every whim.
“We measure the legs, upper body and arms, then use formulas to calculate the size of the bicycle frame and the angles of all the joints,” he explains.
With these measurements, Proctor then consults his client on the smoothness of the ride desired, the type of riding the customer plans to do and even the color he prefers.
With the frame complete, all fittings, from pedals and brakes to wheels and gears, can be handpicked by the prospective owner, with supplies from specialty houses throughout the worl.
The finished product, weighing only between 4.5 and 8.5 kilograms, can cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on features and one’s penchant for such goodies as titanium, carbon fibre and racing paint, which is a few grams lighter than conventional enamel.
Proctor says the extra dollars are more than justified by the beauty he will build you.
“I can build it exactly to your size and for exactly what you want to use it. And I can build it faster than you can import it.”
His goal is 50 within a year.
Proctor also maintains that the buyer is getting more for his money when he can watch the entire construction process and ask questions.
Yet his prices are still competitive with imports, once shipping charges, duty and devaluation of the dollar are taken into account.
In fact, the cost can be lower than for foreign-built bikes if the customer finishes the project himself.
“The filing and polishing take a lot of time. If the buyer wants to do that part of it himself, I’ll give him the advice he needs,” Proctor says.
The extra effort can mean a saving of about 20 per cent on the cost of the frame.
Proctor, who picked up his knowledge of practical engineering while building top fuel dragsters, went into bike construction last March.
But things haven’t yet picked up.
“It still takes me about 40 hours to make a frame. It’s not even close to a living yet.”
“So much is by eye and rules. It’s one of the few handcraft arts still left."
EDMONTON (CP) – Bicycles built for two? That’s not Brad Proctor’s style.
Proctor specializes in building custom bicycles fashioned according to the whims and physical specifications of his individual customers.
The 28-year-old former auto machinist now is bike builder in residence at a small Edmonton cycle shop involved in manufacturing custom thoroughbred racing and touring bicycles.
If you’ve got the price – which may run up to $2,000 – Proctor will build you a bike from scratch that pampers your every whim.
“We measure the legs, upper body and arms, then use formulas to calculate the size of the bicycle frame and the angles of all the joints,” he explains.
With these measurements, Proctor then consults his client on the smoothness of the ride desired, the type of riding the customer plans to do and even the color he prefers.
With the frame complete, all fittings, from pedals and brakes to wheels and gears, can be handpicked by the prospective owner, with supplies from specialty houses throughout the worl.
The finished product, weighing only between 4.5 and 8.5 kilograms, can cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on features and one’s penchant for such goodies as titanium, carbon fibre and racing paint, which is a few grams lighter than conventional enamel.
Proctor says the extra dollars are more than justified by the beauty he will build you.
“I can build it exactly to your size and for exactly what you want to use it. And I can build it faster than you can import it.”
His goal is 50 within a year.
Proctor also maintains that the buyer is getting more for his money when he can watch the entire construction process and ask questions.
Yet his prices are still competitive with imports, once shipping charges, duty and devaluation of the dollar are taken into account.
In fact, the cost can be lower than for foreign-built bikes if the customer finishes the project himself.
“The filing and polishing take a lot of time. If the buyer wants to do that part of it himself, I’ll give him the advice he needs,” Proctor says.
The extra effort can mean a saving of about 20 per cent on the cost of the frame.
Proctor, who picked up his knowledge of practical engineering while building top fuel dragsters, went into bike construction last March.
But things haven’t yet picked up.
“It still takes me about 40 hours to make a frame. It’s not even close to a living yet.”
“So much is by eye and rules. It’s one of the few handcraft arts still left."
04-04-18, 06:07 PM
#15
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Brad also posted on IG some advertising literature, describing their lineup. Again, here is the text:
Proctor Townsend Frames
History
In 1978 Proctor Townsend Frames was formed to meet the needs of the growing population of cyclists. The awareness of the bicycle connoisseur became greater and the desire for the ultimate in touring and racing bicycles (frames) resulted in our desire to give these people only the best.
Description
We manufacture 4 different classes of bicycle frames.
Touring Frames
We’re especially proud of our touring frames and feel that they are the best in Canada and among the best in the world. Our touring frames come in a wide selection of sizes and colours. Our braze-on fittings eliminate the need for unsightly heavy clamp-ons. These braze-ons also make touring racks ultra rigid. For all sizes above 54 cm we recommend Reynolds 531 Club Standard or Columbus SP tubing to give the longest frame life. For sizes below 54 cm we recommend Reynolds 531, light gauge and Columbus SL.
Triathelon Performer
Many people desire a bike that can be used for both touring and racing. This bike is lighter and more responsive than a full touring bike and is not as rigid and demanding as a racing frame. We developed the Triathelon Performer which is much like the racing frames built around 1965. It has many of the braze-ons found on the touring bike but without the extra touring rack braze-ons. This frame comes in a wide choice of colours and has slightly steeper angles than the touring frame. This makes it an excellent choice for sport type riding.
Racing
Proctor road and track frames are among the first choice of Canadian National champion riders. These frames are the ultimate in responsiveness and lightweight quality. They have slightly steeper angles than the performer frames. We use Reynolds 531 light gauge, or SL and Columbus SL; in some special cases Reynolds 753 tubing. These frames come complete with the most up-to-date selection of braze-ons and cut-outs and with a wide selection of colours as well. Proctor Townsend Frames has won 8 National Championships and 16 medals.
Tandems
We have made many custom touring tandems. Because of highly specialized and individual requirements of tandem couples we prefer to deal on an individual basis. Ask your dealer for more information.
History
In 1978 Proctor Townsend Frames was formed to meet the needs of the growing population of cyclists. The awareness of the bicycle connoisseur became greater and the desire for the ultimate in touring and racing bicycles (frames) resulted in our desire to give these people only the best.
Description
We manufacture 4 different classes of bicycle frames.
Touring Frames
We’re especially proud of our touring frames and feel that they are the best in Canada and among the best in the world. Our touring frames come in a wide selection of sizes and colours. Our braze-on fittings eliminate the need for unsightly heavy clamp-ons. These braze-ons also make touring racks ultra rigid. For all sizes above 54 cm we recommend Reynolds 531 Club Standard or Columbus SP tubing to give the longest frame life. For sizes below 54 cm we recommend Reynolds 531, light gauge and Columbus SL.
Triathelon Performer
Many people desire a bike that can be used for both touring and racing. This bike is lighter and more responsive than a full touring bike and is not as rigid and demanding as a racing frame. We developed the Triathelon Performer which is much like the racing frames built around 1965. It has many of the braze-ons found on the touring bike but without the extra touring rack braze-ons. This frame comes in a wide choice of colours and has slightly steeper angles than the touring frame. This makes it an excellent choice for sport type riding.
Racing
Proctor road and track frames are among the first choice of Canadian National champion riders. These frames are the ultimate in responsiveness and lightweight quality. They have slightly steeper angles than the performer frames. We use Reynolds 531 light gauge, or SL and Columbus SL; in some special cases Reynolds 753 tubing. These frames come complete with the most up-to-date selection of braze-ons and cut-outs and with a wide selection of colours as well. Proctor Townsend Frames has won 8 National Championships and 16 medals.
Tandems
We have made many custom touring tandems. Because of highly specialized and individual requirements of tandem couples we prefer to deal on an individual basis. Ask your dealer for more information.
04-06-18, 01:30 PM
#16
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Welcome! Lots of good info, already.
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04-07-18, 06:38 AM
#17
Senior Member
Lol...made me look.
04-16-18, 08:49 PM
#19
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Vintage Proctor literature from Brad's IG page
02-17-20, 08:55 AM
#20
Proctologist
Thread Starter
I haven't been able to verify this claim re Harnett, but have read at the website Maple Leaf Bikes that local Edmonton rider Alex Ongaro rode a Proctor frame at the 1984 Olympics. Alex was a member of Canada's national team for seven years. He still resides in Edmonton and is head coach at the Argyll Velodrome. I've reached out to him on FB for any details.
03-08-20, 08:50 AM
#22
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Had a brief FB chat with Alex Ongaro and he pointed me to a newspaper article published in 1984 which, thanks to a free trial on Newspapers.com is available. Confirms that both Alex Ongaro and Curt Harnett rode Proctor frames in the 1984 Olympics. Great read so grab a cuppa and enjoy!
Edmonton Journal Sunday, July 01, 1984
Edmonton Journal Sunday, July 01, 1984
03-08-20, 02:35 PM
#23
Proctologist
Thread Starter
Proctor newspaper article 1979
This article appears to be from the first year of Brad's frame production.
Edmonton Journal 3 April 1979
Edmonton Journal 3 April 1979
05-17-22, 09:24 AM
#24
Proctologist
Thread Starter
1984 Proctor Build Sheet
On the related thread (Any other Proctor owners out there?) dtbwwygfalayc posted a mention of his/her 1984 Proctor for sale on Pinkbikes. I found these two documents from that advert very interesting; the original build sheet:
and model specs:
and model specs:
