Elswick Hopper Tour Anglais

[Mark Grant]

Thanks to @biggs682 flagging it up on the Ebay thread, on Monday I picked up this Elswick.
Seems to be 1965 vintage. 10 speed Campag Valentino, a budget set released in '64.
Looks like it's been dry stored for years.
I've given it a quick wash and stripped / repacked the rear wheel bearings as they were abit sticky and cleaned the rear rim.
I took it for a spin around Bushy Park this afternoon and it rides nicely. I'll probably do some more stripping and cleaning when it's not so cold in my garage!

 

[biggs682]

I like that even more @Mark Grant
If that had been nearer i would quite happily given it some garage room
Do you need any alloy rims ?

 

[Mark Grant]

I like that even more @Mark Grant
If that had been nearer i would quite happily given it some garage room
Do you need any alloy rims ?

I think it'll be a dry weather bike so I may keep the chrome rims, though maybe if I end up riding it more than expected they may be swapped for alloy.

 

[Illaveago]

It looks to be in pretty good condition .
You could try some lemon juice on the rusty chrome bits to remove some of the rust .

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

That's rather nice! Personally I think the Elswick Hopper/Falcon bikes tend to be a bit under-appreciated and not on too many riders radar. Then the same could be said about production 531 Raleighs being looked down on by club cyclists who favoured low-volume custom builders.
We can count ourselves fortunate in the UK to have such a substantial legacy of decent quality home-grown steel bike manufacture.