10 Apr 2015: The dangers of addiction…
The Ellis-Briggs is nearing completion and she’s lovely. The only problem is… I’ve so enjoyed building her that I’m now a cycle restoration addict. So much so that I’ve now … Continue reading
1 Mar 2015: Action!
After ages messing about with the spacing of the hub and freewheel, I think I’ve managed to get the chainline more or less right, so that the drivetrain now works (sort … Continue reading
28 Feb 2015: Lights!
If there’s one area of cycle development that has really transformed things, it’s lighting. LED lights and rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium or Nickel-metal Hydride batteries are so much brighter and more efficient … Continue reading
8 Feb 2015: The first ride…
… of at least 20 metres! Well, I put tyres on the wheel rims and, after an age fiddling around with spacers, managed to get the back wheel centred, and … Continue reading
26 Jan 2016: Wheels!
The wheels are a worry – if one breaks catastrophically on a fast descent, I’ll be in deep trouble. The problem is that 65 year-old rims and hubs were poorly … Continue reading
29 Dec 2014: The market for bike bits
One of the most interesting aspects of this restoration project is the large and very active market for old bike components that I hadn’t previously known existed. Ebay is a … Continue reading
28 Dec 2014: Gears – back to the drawing board…
This is what the geartrain now looks like. It’s a 4-speed 14-28 tooth freewheel with a narrow 3/32″ chain. I’ve had to admit that my attempts to get the Simplex … Continue reading
29 Nov 2014: Steering and brakes
I now have a pair of GB “Coureur” brakes in place. They are side-pull lightweight brake calipers, designed primarily for racing bikes. Not as effective as the French centre-pull brakes … Continue reading
25 Nov 2014: Progress!
Quite a bit of progress to report.. The bike now has a beautiful hard leather “Swallow” saddle made by Lycett in the 1950s. Lycett was one of the early competitors … Continue reading
2 Nov 2014: The other bike….
Our plan is for Eric to make the ride on an old hand-built bike too. My earliest surviving bike is a tourer bought from Mosquito Bikes in Upper Street Islington … Continue reading
Old Bloke On An Old Bike 