Old 531 bike/frame

[Jeff L]

Not quite penny-farthing territory, but I still have a Dawes Windrush bought in 1960. Frame is Reynolds 531. I replaced some key components a while back (gears, wheels) and when I tried it for a short run it seemed fine. Question: is the frame still likely to be ok? There's no obvious corrosion. How do frames change with age? I feel the increasing urge to climb aboard and repeat my 100-mile day rides to and round the Peak District from Manchester that I did in the 1960s... Well, I can dream.

Grateful for any comments.

Cheers

Jeff

 

[Gerry Attrick]

The chances are it will be fine. Steel frames generally corrode from within rather than the other way. If you are really concerned, then a visit to a good lbs may be warranted, or indeed a corrosion specialist who will be able to peer inside the tubes or check tube wall thickness.

There are many frames out there giving excellent service after many years.