Carlton Continental c1972

[Spokesmann]

Been doing a few bits and bobs...

Rather dismayed to fined Ive got 4 broken spokes on the bak wheel, so that will need to go off to the shop...

Otherwise front wheel is all OK, this one is original with the bike, the rear one has been replaced after some goon drove into the back of me on a roundabout years ago.

Just a few pics for them that want to see. (Good shed pic too! )

My old Carlton is looking a bit cleaner...

If only I could get some replacement imichrome decals....

Dyno rewired and new bulbs replaced where necessary....

Megarange mech has been given a bit of a clean up too.

 

[Spokesmann]

Ive put this bike back together today, still needs a few adjustments but it is really nice to see this one complete again.

This was bought for me, second hand for my 13th birthday back in 1976. My dad paid the princely sum of £38.00 for it. The bike has been with me ever since, we've done 1000s of miles together.

The Continental is original except for the brakes (originally Weinmann 730s), rear wheel, saddle, rear mech, drive train, front mech and tyres. Ive fitted this one with a 12-speed set up, using a mega-range rear mech and a 32-tooth rear sprocket. Front chainwheel was purchased by myself back in 1986 and is a 52/42 tooth affair. For many years this was my number one commuting machine - hence the gears. Plymouth is hilly and I regularly carried two heavy panniers...

Frame is a bit small for me now at 21" but the seat is pretty well up as far as it can safely go. When all said and done the bike is a very loved machine being my first Carlton...

Enjoy.

Shimano 600

Big double bulbed Miller lamp...

I upgraded the brakes to GB Synchrons - love em.

 

[Spokesmann]

Obviously not a popular bike!

 

[Baggy]

Well, I had admired it previously
Am feeling rather sad today as I managed to track down a very battered mauve Continental (1975) in my size. Sadly it shows evidence of having being crashed The top tube has a slight bend, small ripple behind the lug on the down tube and the forks aren't quite true. Am torn between trying to get it straightened out and resprayed, or trying to get a refund.

 

[Spokesmann]

Well, I had admired it previously
Am feeling rather sad today as I managed to track down a very battered mauve Continental (1975) in my size. Sadly it shows evidence of having being crashed The top tube has a slight bend, small ripple behind the lug on the down tube and the forks aren't quite true. Am torn between trying to get it straightened out and resprayed, or trying to get a refund.

Thanks for your comments!

Have you purchased the other mauve Continental?

Im of the mind they are worth saving, but if the damage looks too much perhaps its best to cut loose now!

Does anyone actually still spray in the colour, ie a Polychromatic mauve as Carltons called it? I think mercian or Argos could do the job.

 

[Baggy]

I have purchased it (but unseen). Mercian still do polychromatic mauve...but if they can't straighten out the tubes and they need replacing it's going to start being a very expensive re-furb. It's infuriating because the chrome is in very good condition and 19 1/2 inch frames are like hens' teeth!

Thanks for your comments!

Have you purchased the other mauve Continental?

Im of the mind they are worth saving, but if the damage looks too much perhaps its best to cut loose now!

Does anyone actually still spray in the colour, ie a Polychromatic mauve as Carltons called it? I think mercian or Argos could do the job.

 

[Spokesmann]

I have purchased it (but unseen). Mercian still do polychromatic mauve...but if they can't straighten out the tubes and they need replacing it's going to start being a very expensive re-furb. It's infuriating because the chrome is in very good condition and 19 1/2 inch frames are like hens' teeth!

True about that frame size, I have never come across one, seen plenty of the bigger sizes and lots of the 25" gates. If the chromes good thats a positive thing as after these amount of years and with poor maintenance its shot and worth nothing...

Look forward to seeing the bike.

 

[PatrickPending]

Ive had a continental - 1974 in blue - which I bought second hand as a student in newcastle around 1990 - still got it today and still use it for commuting. Although the frasme is a little heavy, its comfortable and copes well with the pothole lined streets of Coventry. Not very original I'm affraid, only the frame and handlebars and Quill stem remain of the original bike - it now has 18 speed 105 sti gears, dual pivot brakes and recently I had to replace the forks as the thread had gone. Had it powdercoated two years ago too - done slightly over 24000Km on it since then - My commute is quite long (leicester - coventry) so it packs in the miles. Held up well all in all. Nice bike

 

[Spokesmann]

Ive had a continental - 1974 in blue - which I bought second hand as a student in newcastle around 1990 - still got it today and still use it for commuting. Although the frasme is a little heavy, its comfortable and copes well with the pothole lined streets of Coventry. Not very original I'm affraid, only the frame and handlebars and Quill stem remain of the original bike - it now has 18 speed 105 sti gears, dual pivot brakes and recently I had to replace the forks as the thread had gone. Had it powdercoated two years ago too - done slightly over 24000Km on it since then - My commute is quite long (leicester - coventry) so it packs in the miles. Held up well all in all. Nice bike

Has it still got the headbadge!

Glad its still doing its job!

 

[PatrickPending]

Has it still got the headbadge!

Glad its still doing its job!

took that off before powedrcoat, but still have it somewhere.....