Any frame id please

[steve at cornwall]

I have an intriguing frame which I would love to I'd.
Reportedly reynolds (I assume 531)
early nervex professional lugs
simplex rear dropouts with seemingly unthreaded derailleur mount (ugly!)
signs of chrome on rear triangle
wrap around seat stays
braze on for single r/h gear lever
frame no. sl109 on l/h drop out.
looks to me it was a good one in its day (50s/60s?)

 

[GuyBoden]

Interesting, yes they look very similar to 1950's Simplex rear drop outs.

Ask at Retrobike.

 

[Paulus]

Could it be a Carlton of some sort, it has the wrap over seat stays.

 

[Illaveago]

Does it have any holes for a head badge ?
What are the forks like ?

 

[steve at cornwall]

it does, not in carlton position, but vertically. Most that I've found points to it maybe being a holdsworth, but the frame number seems to be completely wrong.

 

[steve at cornwall]

Also any ideas on that rather distinctive headset?
I don't think the forks fitted are original and the stem, bars and bottom bracket with crank all seem to be from a 70s raleigh.(cotterless)

 

[Illaveago]

It has a curved brake bridge which my Holdsworth has . That is a tall badge !

 

[steve at cornwall]

Badge holes are 60 mm roughly, centre to centre.
seatpost approx 27mm
rear spacing appears to be 115mm
front is 100mm
takes 27 inch wheels but will require a short reach rear brake whilst the front is long reach, making me more suspicious that the front fork is not original.

 

[Illaveago]

Badge holes are 60 mm roughly, centre to centre.
seatpost approx 27mm
rear spacing appears to be 115mm
front is 100mm
takes 27 inch wheels but will require a short reach rear brake whilst the front is long reach, making me more suspicious that the front fork is not original.

From what I can see of the fork crown it looks like a replacement.

 

[Illaveago]

Falcon have a tall head badge and some had wrap over seat stays . I'm not sure if any of them had curved brake bridges.
My Falco club special has rounded shoulders on its fork crown .

 

[midlife]

Must admit Ernie Clements crossed my mind too. Where's mandobob