Sun Birmingham ID

[Daddybus]

Thinking of offering to buy an old sun (birmingham) bike looks to me to be 50's/60's hand painted with no decals. The lugs look nervex( ish) its got a lot of updated 90's bits on it (wheels chainset pedals) together with old GB arret levers, side pull mk3 sport brakes, hiduminium stem & bars (although I don't think the bakes are original because there's a centre pull bridge bar on the rear stays) dropout serial reads J1982. Any idea on model or age anyone?

 

[raleighnut]

@Spokesmann is the guy for Sun cycles, but weren't they based in Worksop?

Edit - Just googled and they were Birmingham based pre 59.

 

[Spokesmann]

Some images would be nice...

 

[Daddybus]

Will do later I'm on mobile t'internet at work so pictures won't load ... Had another closer look at the dropout and it's stamped 'cyclo J1982'

 

[Daddybus]

 

[biggs682]

@Daddybus that is a barn find with some fantastic lugs before you go to far check that seat post moves ok

 

[Daddybus]

It literally IS in a barn ...only one problem -the guy doesn't know he wants to sell it to me yet LOL..... The seat is gel & the post looks like a modern alloy one with graphics on so errm should be ok??

 

[raleighnut]

It literally IS in a barn ...only one problem -the guy doesn't know he wants to sell it to me yet LOL..... The seat is gel & the post looks like a modern alloy one with graphics on so errm should be ok??

Aluminium seat posts in steel frames can get 'stuck' awfully quickly.

 

[mikeymustard]

I think the chain might be a bit big for it! Those lugs look really nice, handcut?

 

[stevevw]

I have seen a Snipe Prestige from 69 with the rear brake braze on but that would make it a Worksop bike as they changed badges in 63. The braze on does look like the one I have on a 60's Carlton Corsa. I think the J prefix may also date it to 60's Carlton build too.
The 1940 catalogue has the diamond head badge and some similar lugs but no wrap over seat stays or brake braze on.
So basically i am of no help what so ever ;0)

 

[mikeymustard]

So basically i am of no help what so ever ;0)

That was masterfully argued! Are Cyclo dropouts not from the 50s?

 

[Daddybus]

Thanks for the research Steve ...the seat stays dont quite wrap around Carlton style but they have long flattened ends with a small gap between at the top... Just another thing the frame looks very smooth & shiny under the chipped paint (see pic 2 top tube) ... You don't think it could be. ...no one would paint over a chrome frame.........or would they??

 

[Daddybus]

After much research... On old posts on here & the net (there's frustratingly scant info on the net about sun bicycles) I think its a Carlton flyer with a hookie sun badge -the serial number would be correct ..the lugs are correct ...the pump braze on's ...all match ... Although loose, It does look like that badge has been on since new tho.... Dammit!!

 

[mikeymustard]

It's definitely got the same lugs, but that headbadge is a real puzzler! Could it have been something to do with the Raleigh takeover and move from brum to their new home perhaps? There's no obviously filled-in holes where the Carlton badge might've been

 

[Daddybus]

As toyah so eloquently put it in the eighties.. Iths a mithtery..