LiON Bellworks - Pashley Guv'nor bell

Bicycle component manufacturers "Adie & Nephew", and "Lucas" made bicycle bells for the UK and Australian markets during the 1950's and 1960's.

A classic "Adie & Nephew" traditional bicycle bell of the 1960's.

They made beautiful bells that sat big and bold on the handlebars of most bicycles of the period. Until recently bells of this quality were very hard to come by......and then I discovered LiON Bellworks.

In August 2012 I posted an article on an English bicycle bell manufacturer named LiON Bellworks. They sell beautifully crafted brass bells that look better and better with age. Their bells are very solid and have an exceptional tone. They've now added a little spice to their range of bicycle bells.

Bells can now be personalised by having your own choice of text etched into the dome of their bells. Here is an image of the standard bicycle bell with the words LION ENGLAND engraved into the dome.

The standard LiON Bellworks bell.

If it is a personalised bell that you are after you can replace the words LION ENGLAND with whatever text you choose. A great feature......especially if you would like to adorn your beloved bicycle with something special.

Have a look at their website at www.lionbellworks.co.uk

Click on the Web Shop tab at the top of the page, go to Retro Bicycle Bells, then finally click on Custom Engraving to have a look at whats on offer.

As you can see there is a range of text style options and up to 30 characters can be used - so you are only limited by your imagination. The bells are very good value and postage costs are very reasonable.

My 'beloved' bicycle happens to be a Pashley Guv'nor so that was the text I chose (in Bank Gothic) to personalise my bell. Here are some images of the bell below:

Some text ideas;

RALEIGH BICYCLES
L'EROICA 2013
TOUR De FRANCE 2013
(Your cycling event name) 2013
GIRO D'ITALIA 2013
GIOS COMPACT PRO
(Your bicycle brand and model)
TDF - BRAD WIGGINS - 2012
TDF - CADEL EVANS - 2013
THE GUVNORS' ASSEMBLY

What a great promotional item for your next cycling event, or present one with the appropriate text to your event sponsors as an appreciative gift.

I'm looking forward to the bell ageing to see how the patina develops across the engraved text.

I hope this post has inspired you to get one (or two) for yourself...

Happy pedalling.

James @ perthvintagecycles

Vintage cycling shoes

Riding a quality vintage bicycle with modern cycling shoes just doesn't feel right!

I've been looking for a good pair of leather vintage cycling shoes for some time and haven't been able to find anything my size.

I have an average shoe size (EU43) and I've found that it's very hard to locate an original vintage pair of leather cycling shoes in this size . Being a common and popular size I can only imagine that they have all disappeared over time. I have been able to locate the type of shoe I desire but only in smaller unusual sizes.

Wouldn't you love to own a nice new pair of quality Italian made Detto Pietro shoes like the ones pictured below?

Unfortunately they are very hard to find, and if you do locate a pair they are very expensive!

In lieu of an original pair of vintage cycling shoes I've been on the hunt for a pair of new 'vintage styled' shoes. There are a few on the market so I've put together some images of the ones that can be purchased brand new.

I've chosen to concentrate on shoes that have SPD cleats. I favour this type of cleat because all of my bikes have SPD pedals, but most of the styles shown here can also be purchased for use with regular road cleats. Some of the styles even come with a flat cleatless sole for use by riders who prefer to ride without being clipped in.  

- VITTORIA -

Italian made Vittoria shoes make a great range of vintage styled cycling shoes. Their popular vintage models are called the Vittoria 1976 range (line 1976). The Vittoria line come in a range of styles with most models being leather, some being suede. They have the usual quality and style you would expect from an Italian brand, and most styles are available in a variety of colours too.

Check out their website at www.vittoria-shoes.com/

Here are some images:

- DROMARTI -

Another good quality brand is Dromarti. Dromarti cycling shoes are manufactured in the UK and are probably the pick of the bunch. I have never seen or felt a pair, but all of the reviews I've read have only been positive. It appears that they make limited numbers and there is usually a waiting list for most styles and models.

The ones pictured below are from the Sportivo range.

Have a look at their range at www.dromarti.com/

- QUOC PHAM -

Quoc Pham cycling shoes are made in Taiwan. They are a solid leather cycling shoe of very good quality. The 'Tourer' model in black and brown is featured here. 

This brand is very conservative and is available in limited styles and options. They are only available with an SPD cleat recess, or a smooth sole. There are no models that support road cleats. I do like the addition of a reflective safety strip on the back of their shoes that runs vertically up the heel as shown on the brown pair below - very stylish.

Interestingly, they also make a cycling boot! Well worth a look at www.quocpham.com/

 

- EXUSTAR - 

The vintage styled cycling shoe that is most affordable is one from the brand Exustar. Like Vittoria, Exustar make a large range of cycling shoes that cover all disciplines of the sport. Exustar products are made in Taiwan and, unlike all of the other brands featured here, Exustar also make motorcycle shoes and apparel.

Exustar make a new 'vintage styled' cycling shoe called the STR-707 pictured below. This is a classic shoe more reminiscent of the vintage period.

I have recently bought myself a pair of these shoes and although I've ridden them for 200-300 kms I'm just breaking them in. They are very comfortable and fit like a glove.

The SPD cleats are recessed far enough into the sole that it is easy to walk with these shoes when off the bike. Going into a cafe to get a coffee during a ride has never been so comfortable!! The shoes often attract the attention of other cyclists when I'm out for a ride, after all it is quite unusual to see cycling shoes with laces!

These are a great shoe at an affordable price and I can highly recommend them. You can see more Exustar cycling shoes at www.exustar.com/

Please let me know of any other brands that you think are worth mentioning.

Until then, safe riding....

James @ perthvintagecycles  

Bicycles during war time

As we approach ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) day in Australia, it is fitting to submit a short post in respect of those Australians and New Zealanders who fought and perished for the good of our nations. 

THE RED POPPY

Since World War I the red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or who still serve. In many countries, the poppy is worn around Armistice Day (11 November), but in Australia and New Zealand it is most commonly seen around Anzac Day, 25 April.

The story goes that, following one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, in the fields of Flanders in western Europe, when the ground was completely churned up and muddied, thousands of red poppies sprang up. The seeds had lain dormant in the soil and, after being aerated with the churning of the soil from the soldiers' boots and fertilised with their blood, the poppies grew abundantly, springing forth new life from death.



Poppies symbolise remembrance, and Australians and New Zealanders want to show this at other times as well as on Anzac Day. At major commemorative events, at military funerals and at war graves and cemeteries in Australia and New Zealand and around the world, the red poppy can be seen.

"LEST WE FORGET"



The soldier who never returned home.

Just as our own Australian soldiers perished during conflict, so did many others from many countries. The story goes that in 1914 at Vashon Island, Washington, a soldier left his bicycle chained to a tree and went to war. He never came home from war and so the family left his bicycle chained to the tree as a loving memorial......time and growth did the rest!

Although this story has many sceptics, it's a good bike story that pulls on the heartstrings. Google 'tree that ate a bicycle' and draw your own conclusions - I'm happy to run with it.

....and don't think for one micro-second that bicycles didn't play an important role during war periods. Bicycles have been used during war time since the 1890's. I've managed to get together a few images of wartime bicycles from around the globe.



Dutch military WWI

 

Italian military WWI



English military WWII





German military WWII

 

German military WWII






Swiss Army bicycle WWII

 

And on a lighter note.....whilst in the fields of war many young soldiers dreamt of returning home to their loved ones, perhaps returning home to something as beautiful as this.....



Safe riding.....

James @ perthvintagecycles.

IRD Defiant crank set and fluted Shimano seat post Part 2

After aquiring the cranks and seat post I fitted them pretty quickly because I wanted to ride the bike on the Perth Freeway bike ride last month. 

The parts fitted quite easily, the only challenge was removing the old 113mm bottom bracket that was originally fitted as OEM on the bike. The bottom bracket threading and grease had been contaminated with quite alot of metal shavings. The shavings had wedged between the inside of the bracket housing and the bottom bracket itself which caused a few problems removing the old one. Obviously Pashley had not cleaned out the steel from within the bottom bracket housing prior to fitting the aluminium bottom bracket cups.

I needed to replace the old 113mm bracket because it was too wide to accommodate the IRD cranks. I measured the frame and bought a new 110mm bottom bracket. Once fitted I measured the chainline and all was correct...it's amazing what a couple of millimetres can do to the chainline.   

Here are the before and afters for the new parts:

Before: Sugino XD-2 crankset.

 

After: IRD Defiant crankset.

The original Sugino XD-2 cranks aren't too bad, they do have the chain guard attached to the spider but this makes for a very clunky and unattractive set up. The chainwheel itself is 42 tooth for a 3/32 chain and so the fit on both counts isn't quite right either.

The new IRD Defiant cranks are fantastic - neat and stylish looks that are reminiscent of the early Campagnolo and Gipiemme track cranks of the 1960's. The IRD Defiant cranks come standard with a 46 tooth 1/8 chainwheel which is a far better combination for my liking. The fluting of the crank arms is also a nice feature. The X-factor is also narrower so the ride feels better.



Standard UNO branded 27.0mm seat post.

 

Shimano fluted 27.0mm seat post.

The new Shimano seat post looks great, although it has less impact on the overall looks and performance of the bike compared to the new cranks. I love the seat post because of the fluted styling, again a feature of early posts of the 1960's. The fluting perfectly matches the fluting on the new IRD cranks.

New cranks and seat post....very nice, and so the decision was made to add a new chain into the mix. Here are some images below...





IRD Defiant cranks with a new 1/2 x 1/8 inch chain.



Happy pedalling!!

 

James @ perthvintagecycles.



IRD Defiant crank set and fluted Shimano seat post Part 1

After recently scrutinising the standard Guv'nor crank set in my January 2013 post, I decided to hunt down a replacement crank set that was more suited to the style of the bike.

After a bit more research I discovered the fluted IRD Defiant crank set. These fluted cranks are also based on the Campagnolo and Sugino track cranks of the 1970's as were most of the cranks featured in the post. The Defiant crank set is also very pleasing on the eye, and beautifully crafted too.

Apart from damn good looks I found the Defiant cranks to be the most suitable choice because they come standard with a 46 tooth chain wheel for a 1/8 track chain. Most of the other alternatives only come with a 42 tooth chain wheel for a 3/32 thickness chain, and this is not really suited to the Guv'nor.

First of all I needed a 46T ring because the 42T that comes fitted as standard on the bike is too small as I have a Sturmey Archer 20T rear sprocket.....this combo just isn't right for me. The original 42T ring is also for a 3/32 chain, also unusual because the original chain is a 1/8 chain, and the rear 20T sprocket is also for a 1/8 chain, so although the original 42T 3/32 chainring works...it just isn't quite right!  

After hunting on the internet I got my IRD cranks from Bikewagon (USA) at a good "Make an Offer" price....as usual the range of prices on the internet are quite astonishing.

Here are the cranks....

.....and so there I was with my new fluted crank set and it dawned on me that the cranks would look even better if I had a fluted seat post to match. After many sleepless hours searching the net I was lucky enough to locate a New Old Stock Shimano Dura Ace model SP-7400 fluted seat post that was the correct diameter of 27.0mm - a lucky find as pictured below.

 



Shimano Dura Ace model SP-7400 seat post.

It is now only a matter of finding the time to fit the two components to the bike, and between my work life and my home life, time is one thing that I always seem to be short of!

Once fitted I'll post some images...until then, safe riding.

James 

1949 Hetchins road racing bicycle.

The Old Bicycle Showroom has often been referred to as "Britain's most traditional bicycle shop". They dominate sales of vintage bicycle parts and often stock a varied range of classic vintage bicycles for sale.

I have noticed an increase in their vintage bicycle stocks recently and always enjoy browsing through their on-line catalogue. Log onto their site at http://www.theoldbicycleshowroom.co.uk/index.asp and subscribe to their mailing list to receive an updated list of vintage bicycles for sale. Their images of classic vintage cycles are always a pleasure to view. 

I recently spotted a magnificent 1949 Hetchins road racing bicycle on their list of vintage bikes for sale, however the item had been quickly snapped up by a discerning vintage bicycle enthusiast.  

The beauty of this bicycle blew me away....so I thought I'd share the images with you.
 

1949 Hetchins road bicycle.


  

A typically curved 'Hetchins' chainstay and Chater Lea cranks. 

 

Magnificent "Hetchins" detailing on the head tube. Great lugs too!!


The bicycle is described as below:

A rare and beautiful Hetchins six day model road racing bicycle with Super Special lug work. 22" frame re-finished in black enamel retaining the original transfers and original chrome work. Frame number: 493468. Apparently purchased from Hetchins the 21st March 1950 for £32-15s-1d as a complete bicycle according to the label with the bicycle.

Bought recently as just a frame which was then sympathetically re-finished and then built up with period components with a few exceptions like the rims and brakes. A very rare bicycle from this sort-after maker with lovely patina.

The frame has a concave indent just in front the rear wheel on the saddle tube which was a feature of this model.

Well preserved seat tube decal - beautiful! 

 

An image capturing the indented seat tube.



A classic chromed GB quilled stem.

Specifications:

• 22" 1949 Hetchins six day curly stay steel road frame in Super Special lugwork. # 493468
• Chater Lea head set.
• Chater Lea Chainset (50 tooth)
• Huret 'Tour De France' Rear derailleur gear and lever.
• Sheffield Steel quill pedals.
• GB '531' chrome long reach handlebar stem.
• Blumfield 'Duralite' hubs.
• Original Brooks 'Swallow' leather saddle.
• Gripfast logo chrome wingnuts.
• Weinmann Caliper brakes and levers.
• R.E.G of Italy 'Special' toeclips.
• New 5 speed rear gear block.
• 700c Mavic MA2 rims

The 5 speed cluster is not original but provides the modern rider with greater flexibility.



A classic Brooks Swallow saddle from the period.



....more front end detail, stunning!

I suppose my favourite  aspect of this build is that the original feel of the bike has been restored by re-painting the frame in black enamel paint and restoring the original decals. The bike has also been given a 5 speed cluster to provide the modern rider with greater flexibility. The Hetchins logo on the head tube is stunning, rivalled only by the chromed lug detail. The total package would be an ideal L'eroica cycling event contender!


Lovingly restored Hetchins decals.




I hope you enjoyed the images.

Safe riding,

James from perthvintagecycles.