*help* Rival frame built in Norwich

[Evie the dog]

Again thank you for the information. This is a poignant bicycle as born in Norwich!

 

[classic33]

Again thank you for the information. This is a poignant bicycle as born in Norwich!

Not a Rival?

 

[Evie the dog]

As previously volunteered, a couple of photographs of the Rival cycle I bought.

It came pretty much disassembled to lowest state possible and is taking time to reconstruct due to some missing parts and others that have been substituted and do not fit.

I am trying to keep it un-restored so it has the patina and weathering of many years of use.

 

[Cycleops]

That's a beaut @Evie the dog Keep up the sterling work!

 

[Evie the dog]

Well this was a learning curve. The original crank cotters were missing so it was a case of sourcing a pair and finding they did not fit! Application of a large metal file and constant checking produced a pair that fitted and placed the cranks at 180 degrees ( or atleast to my human eye and adhoc measuring device!)

That exercise took and age and the pins are currently in at finger pressure. Now here is the question. The chain wheel side has a minute amount of movement. Is it a case that the pin is not square (I don't think so as the amount of vernier measurements taken were huge) or the crank cut out is no longer true (please nooo!).

Will a bash with a hammer to the pin cure the problem?

 

[midlife]

Piece of wood on top of the cottar pin and hit with a hammer, the nuts are there to hold it in and not to tighten the actual cotter pin

 

[Evie the dog]

The nuts are just loose in place to stop the pin dropping out. I will however follow the advice.

Thanks

 

[classic33]

When off the spindle, can you pull the pin through. If not, I'd say the pins are the wrong size, and no amount of clouting will seat them.

 

[Evie the dog]

When off the spindle, can you pull the pin through. If not, I'd say the pins are the wrong size, and no amount of clouting will seat them.

Yes you can pull then through the crank. Thanks for the observation tho.

 

[Ilyemticepre]

Hi there. I too have a Norwich rival that was rescued from an elderly neighbours skip when his family cleared his Anderson shelter garage. The story was that the bicycle was given in payment for work that his mother in law conducted. I don’t know when or where but she is beautiful and my prized possession. I’ve had her 9 years and she’s had a clean up by my husband but I have no idea how to fix her engraved leather saddle or indeed where to source a replacement as her seat post is right angled. Any signposting would be appreciated!

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Wonderful story. It would really help if you can post a pic. If you're not allowed as yet because you're new you can post a link to a photo sharing site.

The saddle if it can't be saved could be replaced with s Brooks who make leather saddles and have done for many years so would be period correct. The one you have might be a Brooks.
Does the seat post move?

 

[carpenter]

Welcome - as Cycleops has said we love photo's (and it would help with ideas). Just post several questions (how do you measure frame size, what are gumwall tyres, what colour do you think would be best for a leather saddle on a vintage bike? etc) to get yourself enough posts

 

[carpenter]

I have just had a quick look online and found these saddles:

https://www.gusti-leather.co.uk/bic...MI0ceLwdnF6QIVQu7tCh2c0gU8EAQYASABEgJrv_D_BwE

I have no experience of "Gusti" but they look the job (and are cheaper than a second hand Brooks). Could be worth a look ?

 

[Ilyemticepre]

Sorry it took a while. Here are some photos of her minus her saddle which I’ll post later. 🥰