Carlton experts! What have I just bought??

[loopybike]

Took a gamble on an eBay Carlton. But I have no idea on the age or model. Can anyone help?

There is no serial number under the bb or on the rear drop out as I can see. Should I look anywhere else?

I know it's rough, but I didn't pay enough to cry if it is no good! I plan to restore the frame and maybe use it as a base for a "special ".

Thanks for looking

 

[Drago]

Mech dates it to late 70s, early eighties, but is quote likely not original. I'm no Carlton expert but the badge, style and patina say 1950s to me.

 

[midlife]

Crespera lugged Tru Wel tubed frame was Carlton bread and butter, used for loads of models. Frame number under the seat cluster vertically below the seat bolt. Any sign or original colour nor chrome?

 

[midlife]

Crespera lugs 1967-74 if memory serves.

 

[midlife]

First wild stab a Corsa in poly lilac, is that a bit of lilac under the black

 

[Illaveago]

The date should be on the back of those Weinmann centre pulls.

 

[midlife]

If there is no brazed on rear brake bridge then Continental ?

 

[loopybike]

Crespera lugged Tru Wel tubed frame was Carlton bread and butter, used for loads of models. Frame number under the seat cluster vertically below the seat bolt. Any sign or original colour nor chrome?

Excellent, I have found the frame number. NC 4130059

There is a pale blue, sort of corn flower blue under the black. The lower front forks may have been chromed

 

[midlife]

1974, not sure why it's an N ? Does it have a brazed on rear brake bridge?

Will be in this brochure

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=110238

 

[loopybike]

After some research
Nottingham
February
1974

Not super old or rare then. Hopefully I won't upset people if I turn it into a "special"

 

[Drago]

That'd make a sweet tracker!

 

[loopybike]

That'd make a sweet tracker!

Sorry, what's a tracker?

 

[Drago]

Racer frame, speedway or cowhorn bars, relatively fat and knobbly touring or bicycle speedway tyres, often with no front brake. Its what generations of British kids rode off road before the BMX and MTB came about.

 

[loopybike]

Racer frame, speedway or cowhorn bars, relatively fat and knobbly touring or bicycle speedway tyres, often with no front brake. Its what generations of British kids rode off road before the BMX and MTB came about.

View attachment 393174

Cor! I wouldn't of liked to have met that lot down the park! I'd be quaking in my green snorkel coat and green flash pumps!

 

[Drago]

I'm slowly assembling the parts to build a tracker myself. New parts would be easy - I'm hunting for old period parts with a bit of patina.