Bought this for Eroica but no idea what it is.

[Gez73]

Bought this to restore or at least have restored for next years event. Seller thought it was a Crown of Wolverhampton. They did exist but very little info found. The parts seem retro enough. The only number on the frame is as per the photo. Not that interested in value, it wasn't especially expensive and will be repainted and I might even do the lugs myself. Just curious if it rings any bells on the site. Very light too. Malliard hubs with Weinmann rims (Belgian made). Shimano Altus front and rear. 10 speed, sedis chain. The saddle is my own. Has been handpainted badly and appears to have had cable guides added and painted later.
Any info appreciated. Gerry

 

[wisdom]

Don't know what it is but it's very nice

 

[biggs682]

Nice lug work

Paintwork doesnt look that bad

 

[raleighnut]

Nice.

 

[midlife]

Lugs are Capella which were a Carlton only lug. They sold off their old stock back in the 80's and the odd frame pitches up with them but chances are it's Workshop.

 

[raleighnut]

Lugs are Capella which were a Carlton only lug. They sold off their old stock back in the 80's and the odd frame pitches up with them but chances are it's Workshop.

Did a few guys from Worksop set up on their own making frames maybe?

 

[midlife]

Did a few guys from Worksop set up on their own making frames maybe?

Yep they did but they didn't use the Capella lug sets. There's a track frame hanging about with ex Carlton lugs...

 

[Gez73]

Thanks for that. Guessing it's a project for someone or an apprentices assignment. Will never know I guess. Worth restoring. My first foray into the world of vintage. G

 

[Cycleops]

Nice bike. @Spokesmann might be able to give you some more info.

 

[Spokesmann]

Capella lugs were dropped form the Carlton range in the late 60s, they have cropped up on some US machines in the 70s. I'm intrigued to see what under the head badge...

Has the frame any sort of numbering ie on the LHS rear stay/drop out?

 

[Gez73]

Nothing just 150 under BB. Am having it stripped shortly. That head badge is just a transfer. May have been saved following a paint job. Not lacquered or anything and not applied particularly well. Will get it looking better and just leave it without decals. If anything comes up in the meantime I will report. Cheers Mike

 

[midlife]

This is the mystery Capella lugged frame I was thinking of.....

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=197919

No frame number is odd, I wonder if it's a back door jobby?

 

[Gez73]

Yeah I saw that on that site too. Will probably never really know it's origins. Would like to be able to put some sort of decals on it but not likely to. If the lugs were available it's going to remain a mystery. Could have been a custom build but odd that there is only a three digit number on BB. It will be known as 'Gerrys Eroica Bike'. We have a dog with similar provenance!

 

[Gez73]

Two more pictures. The first is from underneath the steerer and there is a small spike coming from the front under the caliper bolt. I have never seen that before. Is it to prevent the caliper rotating somehow?
Second pic is the rear derailleur. This has two finger wheels? Not sure how else to describe them. Can be rotated by hand but not sure for what purpose.

They say Shimano Patent Pending. Again new to me. Might help with a rough date of assembly if nothing else. Cheers Gerry

 

[Cycleops]

I have an idea that those 'Crown' decals are completely erroneous. You used to be able to puck up stuff like that just to decorate your bike. On the other hand maybe nothing to do with bikes.