Rory O'Brien bike
- Thread starter pubrunner
- Start date
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Hi All , I bought a racer from Rory O'Brien Cycles in Romford , about 15/16 years ago and still have it . I worked local to the shop and bought piece by piece until i had every part i needed, then ihad the frame built to my 'spec' When i got the frame home i built the bike up , and i still have it now .
I joined a club summer '12 and some of the riders recognised the name on my frame and commented that i have a good bike and to look after it !
I joined a club summer '12 and some of the riders recognised the name on my frame and commented that i have a good bike and to look after it !
Hi folks, just found forum by chance. Real trip down 'memory lane' - member of Romford Wheelers (and Hainault RC) in 1950s and many of the names mentioned in the 'Rory O'Brien' thread rang loud bells - especially Jim Whitaker (I had a Saturday job in his shop); Vic Gibbons,Ken Craven, Dave Bedwell and Bob Tregonning (I was at Hornchurch Grammar School with son Bob). Thanks, especially to Limey and Normgow for reminding me of the days when the pain in my legs was lactic acid not furred arteries, and I could still touch my toes without putting my back out!
Bryan Harris
Oh and I rode a Duckett - remember them? "Wise men in the east go to Duckets of Seven Kings"
Bryan Harris
Oh and I rode a Duckett - remember them? "Wise men in the east go to Duckets of Seven Kings"
This thread is brilliant to read. I've just found out that I'm distantly related to Rory O'Brien, as Ken Kirby was my Dad's uncle. I just stumbled on this thread as my parents have two O'Brien frames in the garage and Ken's old handmade bike he gave to my father when he was dying. They've offered them to me to try and restore so I've been looking into the history and what would be involved to get them back on the road. It's great to hear stories from the people who bought bikes from them, and that some of the bikes are still going!
OP
OP
pubrunner
Legendary Member
Yes, it has been an amazing thread ! Over 30,000 views and still going !
It'd be great to see some pics of your two O'Briens and the frame made by Ken Kirby. I actually sold my O'Brien (BIG mistake) and I'll get another when I can.
If you restore them, please first take some pics - especially of any transfers/decals.
Sole75
Regular
Hello everyone, this is my very first post on this amazing forum, so be gentle please!
Well, I was given recently with a Rory O'Brien bike and must admit, love at first sight! I didn't know anything about Rory or classic bikes before, I'm quite a beginner, started cycling only a year ago. I'm turning to you well clued up peeps to find out more details about this fantastic machine! You can spare the history of Rory and his shops as I found those bits out here already. I'm just curious about this bike's age, if it was a big thing in it's time or info about it's parts, like the French Vitus frame or the Campagnolo group set it's having. Any help and info would be highly appreciated! And also if someone would give a rough price just to see it's value.
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Kris
More photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10781250@N04/sets/72157633853221251/
Just to keep the ball rolling; I remember Ducketts of Seven Kings. I knew Dave Whiting, who worked there for several years, quite well but only after he had gone to work at Kenistons in Romford.
I was recently trying to remember other lightweight shops east of London. At Stratford was Leach Marathon, at East Ham E.G.Bates, Hobbs of Barbican and Rory O'Brien at Manor Park, J.T. Braysher at Walthamstow, On the corner of Ilford High Street and Ilford Lane was it Whittaker? Then came Ducketts at Seven Kings, Rory O'Brien, Kenistons and I believe Burroughs at Romford. I can't think of anymore until H.E Bates at Westcliff which became Hetchins after they moved from Tottenham.
Can any of you cyclechatters fill in the gaps?
Sole75
Regular
Hello everyone, this is my very first thread on this amazing forum, so be gentle please!
Well, I was given recently with a Rory O'Brien bike and must admit, love at first sight! I didn't know anything about Rory or classic bikes before, I'm quite a beginner, started cycling only a year ago. I'm turning to you well clued up peeps to find out more details about this fantastic machine! You can spare the history of Rory and his shops as I found those bits out here already. I'm just curious about this bike's age, if it was a big thing in it's time or info about it's parts, like the French Vitus frame or the Campagnolo group set it's having. Any help and info would be highly appreciated! And also if someone would give a rough price just to see it's value.
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Kris
More photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10781250@N04/sets/72157633853221251/
biggs682
Touch it up and ride it
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
That is a beautiful bike! I too have a Rory O'Brien but mine is a fake! (Dawes) I should think you could comfortably put another £100 on top of Bigg's valuation. Have a look at classicrendezvous.com for some more info. Rory had a shop in Romford I think, but people on here will be able to tell you more. The Vitus frame would be quite rare I imagine as I never seen one before. Treasure it!
Sillyoldman
Veteran
Cracking looking bike.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
It's certainly a very nice looking thing, but take note of the wise words above it, treasure it - whatever it's made from.
Too many folk have owned and sold bikes such as this only to regret it hours, days, weeks, years later, just trust me on that point OK
Ride it, enjoy it
PS:
to CC
Too many folk have owned and sold bikes such as this only to regret it hours, days, weeks, years later, just trust me on that point OK
Ride it, enjoy it
PS:
to CCMinotier
Veteran
- Location
- The Flat Side of South Yorkshire.
Very nice machine and by the way.
by the way.