F.w evans bike

[Swifty]

Taken on iPad in torrential rain and yes the rings are quite close in size

 

[Dogtrousers]

I've got one of those front changers. I used it for years. I couldn't figure out how it worked to begin with but with a few bits and pieces and a bit of lateral thinking I managed to get the cable hooked up to it. Only recently did I find out that it was supposed to be rod operated. It worked absolutely fine. It's a desk ornament now, as they're rather pretty with the Benelux paint scheme.

 

[biggs682]

@Swifty that looks great if you get any more like that let me know please

 

[Drago]

...and I have one :-)

Here in picnic mode ....

View attachment 59098

Fantastic! A historically significant machine, well worth keeping alive.

@Swifty your bike looks pretty good too.

 

[Swifty]

Thanks for the info on this bike it will really benefit from a good clean and a bit of tlc it still has air in the tyres and is all working pics are a bit crap but the weather was pretty grotty it's now in the dry in the garage until the weekend when I will have a proper look at it Please feel free to tell me more about it if anybody has had one I know spokesmann had a similar gear changer on a carlton

 

[Apollonius]

That looks like a Williams chainset, which makes dating the bike easy. If you look at the cranks they will have a date letter on them. A bit of Googling will soon give you a date for the bike. Judging by the fork rake it is pretty early. About 1947 would be my guess.

 

[Swifty]

Thanks for that will look more closely at weekend

 

[Apollonius]

The excellent classiclightweights site will give you the date code list. Sorry I can't link it. I am on an Android device at present and don't know how to do that!

 

[Swifty]

Have a feeling they are milremo cranks

 

[biggs682]

@Swifty this is what you need http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/williams_identification.html

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for the info on this bike it will really benefit from a good clean and a bit of tlc it still has air in the tyres and is all working pics are a bit crap but the weather was pretty grotty it's now in the dry in the garage until the weekend when I will have a proper look at it Please feel free to tell me more about it if anybody has had one I know spokesmann had a similar gear changer on a carlton

Blimmin 'eck, that's a fabulous find ... well done Swifty!

 

[Swifty]

Can't wait to start cleaning and polishing and trying to date it accurately think it could be mid 50 s

 

[biggs682]

Can't wait to start cleaning and polishing and trying to date it accurately think it could be mid 50 s

about as old as me then

 

[Swifty]

Been at work all day does anybody have an idea on date from the info what should I do with the paintwork?

 

[Tony Raynor]

@Swifty depends on what you want. If it's future value then don't strip and repaint as the loss of originality really puts a dent in resale price. Here's one I did from the same era and probably in the same condition.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/just-couldnt-resist-it-just-about-finished.160620/

And all finished

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/1958-royal-enfield-zephyr.161242/

I'd push in cleaning, polishing and sympathetic restoration unless something is completely shot