Sid Mottram

[Paulus]

Did some more tinkering this morning .

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A light t cut and polish .
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Cleaned up a nice set of engraved bars and a Milremo stem which I think are Dawes ones .

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Might swap the blue beaten up guards for a set of black one's ?

I quite like the blue 'guards, the colour is a nice contrast. Can you get new blue ones?

 

[biggs682]

I quite like the blue 'guards, the colour is a nice contrast. Can you get new blue ones?

Possibly at a price , agree re contrast

 

[Apollonius]

Here is my Sid Mottram. I bought it in Leicester in 1969 (oh, that's 50 years ago!) after my Viking Severn Valley was stolen. The shop on Narborough Road was still going then. Probably a Mercian-built frame. Stronglight 49 chainset. Huret rear derailleur, Benelux(!) front. Webb pedals and Campagnolo bar-end changers. Universal brakes. It was always a bitsa!

 

[biggs682]

@Apollonius that is a smart looking , do you still have it ?

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I quite like the blue 'guards, the colour is a nice contrast. Can you get new blue ones?

They look great don't they? Strong blues always seem to go nicely with orange for some reason. I find the overall effect very pleasing to the eye. It's a shame that these days, the mainstream mudguard choice seems to be black or black, or if you are lucky - SKS silver chromoplastic with a black stripe up the middle.

 

[Apollonius]

Yes, I still have the Sid Mottram, but it has been a while since I rode it. I find it quite difficult to ride a bike without cleats these days, and the gearing I could cope with 50 years ago, is not so easy now! My Bianchis cover most of my riding and the old steel doesn't get out much. The Mottram was "on loan" to my father for quite a while, and he rode it 11 miles each way to work and back until he died in 1992. I got it back from my mother when I retired, along with his Higgins Ultralite, and did them up in his memory, really. It isn't just the carbon frames that make modern bikes such an easy ride, there is also the range of gearing that enables me to get my ancient, and overweight, self up inclines. The picture is the Higgins. More famous for his trikes, Higgins only made about 2000 two-wheelers. My father bought it the week I was born.

 

[biggs682]

Yes, I still have the Sid Mottram, but it has been a while since I rode it. I find it quite difficult to ride a bike without cleats these days, and the gearing I could cope with 50 years ago, is not so easy now! My Bianchis cover most of my riding and the old steel doesn't get out much. The Mottram was "on loan" to my father for quite a while, and he rode it 11 miles each way to work and back until he died in 1992. I got it back from my mother when I retired, along with his Higgins Ultralite, and did them up in his memory, really. It isn't just the carbon frames that make modern bikes such an easy ride, there is also the range of gearing that enables me to get my ancient, and overweight, self up inclines. The picture is the Higgins. More famous for his trikes, Higgins only made about 2000 two-wheelers. My father bought it the week I was born.

Oh i like that Higgins and some nice family history with the Mottram as well
Agree re the more modern components making older bikes more useable by us as we get older

 

[biggs682]

Just back from my inaugural mile and quarter on the Sid Mottram .

I think the black guards were a worthwhile swap .

Rides well just a few very basic adjustments required .

 

[biggs682]

Used this one today for commuting on and covered 11+ miles all without issue

And just fitted a bottle cage and set of mounts tonight so we are getting ready

 

[biggs682]

Question for the followers of this thread , my intended ribbed pvc bar tape has arrived today .

And I am unsure whether to cover up the engraved section of the bars or not ?

Any ideas or suggestions greatfully accepted .

 

[woodbutcher]

Question for the followers of this thread , my intended ribbed pvc bar tape has arrived today .

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And I am unsure whether to cover up the engraved section of the bars or not ?
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Any ideas or suggestions greatfully accepted .

If it was my bike l would polish up the bars as far as the brake levers and only wrap below the levers to the bar ends. Really old school l know

 

[biggs682]

If it was my bike l would polish up the bars as far as the brake levers and only wrap below the levers to the bar ends. Really old school l know

That was also one of my thoughts as well

 

[southcoast]

Only take the tape as far as the engraving wear gloves and enjoy the view.

 

[woodbutcher]

That was also one of my thoughts as well

And you could always move the levers a bit further up the bars , maybe an inch or so . I say that because lm looking at the bike fit from the point of view of someone with a non too generously proportioned upper body

 

[biggs682]

And you could always move the levers a bit further up the bars , maybe an inch or so . I say that because lm looking at the bike fit from the point of view of someone with a non too generously proportioned upper body

It's funny you should mention the lever position as they do need to come up and i am also going to try a longer stem before any taping up is done