1951 Sun Super Vitesse, 3-speed

[Spokesmann]

This is my latest build. I purchased this machine last year form a seller in Manchester, a friend has only been able to deliver this to me in the last week or so. This is a Sun Super Vitesse from around 1951, a good deal of the original components are still with it. Im keeping this as a 3-speed version (my other I converted to 5-speed). The finish is in dark plum, my other is in royal blue. Frame is a bit bigger than my other Vitesse at around 22.5". Wheels are 26" with Weinmann alloy rims. Its shod with 26 x 1-1/4" tyres. Original bars, stem and brake levers. I'm replacing the rather feeble looking monitor brakes with some much beefier GB Courier Pluses I have in store here. I have a stock of NOS white ribbed cable for the brakes. Guards will be Bluemels all rounders in carmine red. I have completely stripped the bike and re-greased the Bayliss Wiley BB and also cleaned and regreased the delightful clip headset. Im replacing the chainwheel with a period correct 1/8" chain Williams item. Pedals are original. I have a B17 from pre 1953 with oval stamp mark which replaces the worn out B17 that came with it. Overall I aim to clean and sympathetically refurb the machine, including touching up some of the frame graphics. The original paint is in pretty good nick.

Ive made a good deal of progress on this in the last week and will post up more images shortly.

 

[Cycleops]

Great stuff! I’m sure you’ll make an excellent job of it as usual.

 

[biggs682]

Looks good and I love that stem @Spokesmann

 

[Drago]

Looks wonderful. That'll make a smashing usable machine.

 

[Spokesmann]

Ive been a busy boy yesterday. loosely built up the machine now, but plenty still to do.

Refurbished the wheels yesterday, the front one has a non original Campag hub and QR spindle.

Need to clean up things like the grips etc...

Ive T-cut and waxed the frame. Im going to retouch the frame graphics, I maybe will redo some of the box lining too with a ruling pen.

GB Courier plus brakes with quick releases.

Williams chainwheel from 1951...

 

[raleighnut]

Nice

 

[wisdom]

Very nice.
I personally don' like the plastic grips on the brakes but they are correct for the era.
It looks great with the work you have done.

 

[Spokesmann]

Very nice.
I personally don' like the plastic grips on the brakes but they are correct for the era.
It looks great with the work you have done.

Yes I know what you mean, the levers on these are quite thin and the extra grips and padding these add make them more ergonomic and comfortable in my view.

 

[mikeymustard]

Absolutely love it, that stem and those fire engine red guards are to die for!
There seems a lot of space around those wheels, was the frame built with the option of 27" or tubs or something?

 

[Spokesmann]

Absolutely love it, that stem and those fire engine red guards are to die for!
There seems a lot of space around those wheels, was the frame built with the option of 27" or tubs or something?

No this would have always been set for 26" wheels Ive yet to adjust the guards to position, Im sure its not going to be a perfect fit. I've tried 27" wheels in my other Vitesse and they are just too tight, 700c would probably be just OK, but I wish to keep this as original to spec as possible.

 

[mikeymustard]

No this would have always been set for 26" wheels Ive yet to adjust the guards to position, Im sure its not going to be a perfect fit. I've tried 27" wheels in my other Vitesse and they are just too tight, 700c would probably be just OK, but I wish to keep this as original to spec as possible.

not suggesting you change it Mike, I noted you were gonna keep it 3 speed so you're not likely to mess with wheel size, it just looks like a massive space with 26" in

 

[Spokesmann]

Work continues on the Vitesse. A few niggles to sort, but it's starting to look rideable now.