Ken the Tandem

[biggs682]

How could I resist this lovely old Ken Bird stickered tandem .

Not sure exactly how old it is but it has all the right bits , clip type headset, 4 speed flip flop and large flange rear hub , grease nipple on front hub , 26" steel rims , cottered cranks with eccentric bottom brackets.

I am going to enjoy this more than previous owner who rode It less than a mile five years ago then it never moved again.

 

[Drago]

Fantastic! Looks in great nick under the grime.

 

[Ian H]

That looks too old to be a Ken Bird. I may be wrong, but I think it's more likely to be a restoration or re-enamel by him.

 

[midlife]

Very classy . I guess Ken Bird would have been at school when that was made lol

 

[biggs682]

That looks too old to be a Ken Bird. I may be wrong, but I think it's more likely to be a restoration or re-enamel by him.

Somebody has Suggested it could be a Sun tandem that has had a repaint and new decals so will have a look around for a frame number when daylight comes again .

Front hub is a Solite item with the spokes wired ( wrong term ) together on the cross over point and it actually feels quite light all things considered

Very classy . I guess Ken Bird would have been at school when that was made lol

I do tend to agree with you

 

[Sharky]

Those Lyotard ? pedals bring back memories.

 

[midlife]

Those Lyotard ? pedals bring back memories.

Marcel Berthet M23 I believe

 

[Ian H]

This is my favourite pic of a Ken Bird frame

by Ian Hennessey, on Flickr

 

[biggs682]

Those Lyotard ? pedals bring back memories.

I have never had a matching set , now i have 2 pairs and toes clips are hopefully in the saddle bag

 

[stedlocks]

Marcel Berthet M23 I believe

Alledgedly the lightest around too!

I have researched ken bird a bit as I used to have a TT bike which was badged as a bird brothers. Apparently, Alec bird made the frames, and his brother ken sold em....he could sell sand to the Arabs, it was said!
But yeah, that looks too old to be by them....I'm thinking 50's at least. It's lovely though!

 

[biggs682]

This is my favourite pic of a Ken Bird frame
View attachment 374186 by Ian Hennessey, on Flickr

Now that is a monster frame

 

[biggs682]

Alledgedly the lightest around too!

I have researched ken bird a bit as I used to have a TT bike which was badged as a bird brothers. Apparently, Alec bird made the frames, and his brother ken sold em....he could sell sand to the Arabs, it was said!
But yeah, that looks too old to be by them....I'm thinking 50's at least. It's lovely though!

i liked it when it appeared on flea bay and when i saw it in the flesh i could not resist and i was thinking 50's ie fork rake etc etc

 

[Sharky]

Almost joined the Polhill CC once. They met above Ken Bird's shop in Orpington.

 

[classic33]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tandem-bi...470354?hash=item4d635c3a12:g:hr8AAOSwj9lZuswL

 

[biggs682]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tandem-bicycle-Ken-Bird/332379470354?hash=item4d635c3a12:g:hr8AAOSwj9lZuswL
View attachment 374247

That's the one