Sheds

Thankyou Frank...For taking the time out on a Sunday morning to open your shed(s) for me so that I could wade waist deep in bikes from another era...

Actually, everything from 30's through to 80's bikes of various quality, condition and desirability.  It is very rare to see so many varied and wonderful old machines collected together in the one locaiton.  ( No, I'm not telling where ).

I really enjoyed standing amongst it all, possum poo included, and hearing your stories, enthuiasm and passion for the shapes and details of  bikes collected over the years - just because it took your eye, had a nice paint scheme, or rare chainring pattern.

I felt a little mercenary bargaining with you - but I think we both came away happy.  Some weight transferred from your groaning shed to mine.

What did I come away with ? 

A 1930's roadster - originally light blue under crazing black paint, with very thin guage tube walls and lovely lug reliefs, twin Philco's and original 4 inch dynamo headlight.

A post war track / path racer, mid weight but again with interesting relief windows in the head lugs and fork crown - a Brooks saddle shrunk and cracking, but maybe saveable, faded but gorgeous hand pin-striping and lettering.  Nothing super-special, but it will make a nice track bike with the right wheels. 

Another heavy-guage path racer - Post-War in vintage, complete with the obligatory thick brush coat of mid blue over the original colour - but interesting plastic 'Fleet' saddle and diamond reliefs cut into the head lugs.

Finally, a very weird and wonderful roadster built up as a 'tourer'.  1948 Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub with drum brake, plumbers pipe frame, deep roadster bars made to be used up-turned, but wide ( and shrivelled ) leather saddle on a gantry seat-post ( ? ) and the almost obligatory front Philco.  Funny how we now have 5 of these calipers, and yet a year ago, I'd never seen one.  This machine also has a lovely crank - with a chainring that looks a bit like an item used by Oppy in the 30's during his record setting rides - more research required.

So, a mixed bag, but plenty to play with in those moths post-PBP.  Don't tell my wife, but a L'Eroica plan is already hatching in the back of our minds...