1981 Jack Taylor Marathon #7841

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Spokesmann

Keeping the Carlton and Sun names alive...
Location
Plymouth, Devon
This bike has been a recent acquisition for me and is a bit of a departure from my usual Carlton and Sun made cycles. In truth I've wanted a JT for a long while, especially after seeing Jamie's Super Clubman thread a while ago.

The machine it self has been well used, but not abused. Paint is OK and still has all its original double box lining. I've been tinkering with this one for the last week. Everything was present but the whole machine needed a service, clean and some sympathetic enhancement. I've still got a few tweaks to do as well as a proper road test, but thought it would be good to get this thread going.

Specification:

1981 Jack Taylor Marathon Model frame no. 7841
22" lugless bronze welded (fillet brazed) frame. Double boxed lined with flam green, yellow and silver merged panels. Full DB 531 tubing throughout, inc fork blades. 27" Mavic MA40 wheels with DB stainless spokes, Shimano 600 sealed alloy hubs with Shimano QR skewers and levers. Schwalbe Marathon tyres. 12-speed derailleur gears with 26-14 rear cassette, Stronglight 48/36 chainset up front, Sakae BB. Sachs New Success rear mech (34 tooth capacity) with Suntour ARX front changer, Suntour Ratchet levers. Weinmann type 730 alloy sidepulls c/w MTB 70mm brake shoes with Weinmann alloy hood and red anodised levers. GB alloy stem and bars. Tange headset. Zefal toe clips/Red Christophe leather straps, Carradice Barley saddle bag, Weinmann alloy shorties and Brooks B5N leather saddle on alloy seat post.

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As bought:

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Drago

Legendary Member
Oooh, that's nicer than a nice thing that's trying to be nice! Pleasant, with a hint of niceness.
 

pawl

Legendary Member
I love the iBook of these older bikes,Cables disappearing into the internal nether regions of the frame,No great discs on the wheels.I would miss my STI levers though but would put with down tube shifters to own a bike like that.
You lucky devil.Enjoy.
Just had a thought can you still get the old style shoe plates.
 
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Kempstonian

Has the memory of a goldfish
Location
Bedford
Now that is a very nice bike! Somebody has looked after it well. I'm not normally a fan of lugless frames, I like the fancy lugs myself, but this one is one of the best I have seen. I hate it when on other bikes they just leave the weld showing. That's ugly.
 
OP
OP
Spokesmann

Spokesmann

Keeping the Carlton and Sun names alive...
Location
Plymouth, Devon
Now that is a very nice bike! Somebody has looked after it well. I'm not normally a fan of lugless frames, I like the fancy lugs myself, but this one is one of the best I have seen. I hate it when on other bikes they just leave the weld showing. That's ugly.

Norman Taylor never filed any of his joints on these welded frames, this goes to show how good his work was.
 
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OP
OP
Spokesmann

Spokesmann

Keeping the Carlton and Sun names alive...
Location
Plymouth, Devon
Finally was able to get out on the Jack Taylor this morning, in between heavy showers!
Near perfect test ride... Just need to move the saddle a little bit further aft and a very, very minor tinkle from the front changer, this machine is just about there. Wide bars, very light frame and relaxed geometry (73/71 fore and aft) makes this a quick and easily manoeuvrable ride. Once in the big ring it really can shift, the new 730 brakes having a great spring action and the 70mm MTB blocks an assured stopping feel. Gears changed very crisply and the bottom gear of 36/24 is perfect for most conditions, although I've got a 28 bottom ring just in case. All in all a vry enjoyeable few miles just to amke sure everything is OK. Hope to take it on a longer ride once we get some more settle, dry weather.

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