Wester Ross bike with new pictures 08/03

[randynewmanscat]

Lovely. Wester Ross are high on my dream frame list. You don't see them very often.

They are thin on the ground, I imagine a few got sold on gumtree by house clearance companies doing estate sales. I think a few people who ordered one went on to buy others when they came up for sale on ebay and on bike forums, I did because I like them very much.
What separated John Connell from other frame builders of the late 70's, early 80's was the way he mated the frame tubes. The best silver braze fit is the closest fit, He built a very heavy and accurate jig/fixture to mount the tubes on to tack before brazing and mitred the tubes using a Bridgeport mill fitted with the appropriate diameter cutter.
Fergus his assistant showed me a piece from another customers frame ready for brazing and the fit was perfect, the mitred face not needing any hand work before assembly apart from deburring. I think the small bespoke steel builders of today are all using very accurate techniques to keep the braze fill to the minimum, perhaps using Rotabroach cutters mounted on a mill or small machine of their own design.
I nearly ordered a Hetchins curly frame but my dad pointed out that the fancy extended fork crown points were merely added plates and just frippery. I am a chip of the old block and he was right of course, my other choice at the time was the frame you see.

 

[randynewmanscat]

After much rummaging in files I found the receipt, there is a second receipt somewhere, this one includes billing for chrome and should not.

 

[randynewmanscat]

Coronavirus restrictions and spring stop progress. Nothing much to see, the still very much alive sick cat guarding incomplete by a long way bike.

 

[biggs682]

It does look like the cat is actually guarding the incomplete bike

 

[randynewmanscat]

It does look like the cat is actually guarding the incomplete bike

Biggs, he guards anything of importance, a truly loyal if very poorly guardian.

 

[biggs682]

Biggs, he guards anything of importance, a truly loyal if very poorly guardian.

Well the Wester Ross is worth guarding for sure

 

[gacks]

I just stumbled back to this thread. Good to know Wester Ross interest is flourishing.
I bought a Wester Ross JSC #095 in 2018 and have been riding it locally when the sun shines - which means that the bike has come home! The original factory that John Connell used in Aultbea until ?1981 is no longer a butchers shop but now houses a museum dedicated to the Arctic Convoys that departed from Loch Ewe in WWII. Here is a photo of my WR arriving "back home" on what I reckoned was close to its 40th birthday.

The museum has asked me to write an article with some background about the original use of the building for WR bike manufacture. There is also a WR #244 FGF on show in the Gairloch Museum www.gairlochmuseum.org and they have a file of archive material from its original purchase. I have watched the OU youtube video which I believe dates from 1983 after the business was relocated to Lythe in North Yorkshire.
Andy other material or thoughts for the article would be gratefully received

 

[biggs682]

@gacks I might have an e mail address for the guy that had a lot of the build information if I can find it I will send you a message

 

[biggs682]

@gacks i have private messaged you

 

[Spokesmann]

Super bikes, been after one for a while now.

 

[scot in germany]

Here’s mine, bought 1988 2nd hand as I started Uni. Used 5 yrs then mothballed until I moved to Germany. Frame 230 from about 1980.

 

[randynewmanscat]

Here’s mine, bought 1988 2nd hand as I started Uni. Used 5 yrs then mothballed until I moved to Germany. Frame 230 from about 1980.

Thats nice.

 

[randynewmanscat]

10 months later coronavirus restrictions still apply, I put tyres on, looks nearly ready

 

[randynewmanscat]

I'll finish it Monday and post a pic in my bike in front of a tree.

 

[motsetiaw]

Does anyone know if Bike Bros link to Wester Ross is still active?