THE FLYING WHEEL

SOME MORE BATES BAR

2011-05-24T22:48:00.008+12:00

1949 Bates Bar
Here are some photos of the Bates as finished, you can see the full rebuild
of this bike through out this blog, check out the Bates and frame painting posts.
It is a real treasure to ride with this period British fixed TT set up.
Light, fast and responsive.

Nicely worn Chater Lea pedals and chainring.
Pedals look nice, but are very hard to flip around, to get your feet in.
I guess they were really designed for track use.

Burlite front brake works well.

Love this Bluemels "Tour de France" lightweight pump.

When I found these anodized red Airlite hubs recently, I knew this build was complete.

CLAUD BUTLER MIXTE

2011-05-16T22:01:00.003+12:00

This is a really nice 1955 Claud Butler Mixte which I restored for my wife a few years ago.
The frame is super light weight fillet brazed.
Campagnolo brakes, derailleurs
Zeus chainset
GB handlebars
Bluemels lightweight guards...
Yes I as you can tell I do love her, my wife that is.

CARLTON PATH

2011-05-16T21:48:00.003+12:00

This is the only photo I have of a nice Carlton path bike
that I restored a few years back.
Check out the cool Williams cranks, these are seriously underrated
by the collecting community (which is good).

CARLTON MIXTE

2011-05-16T21:23:00.004+12:00

Nice Carlton Mixte.

As my wife already has three bikes, this one was moved on.

Three speed AW sturmey Archer
Dunlop steel rims
Bluemels alloy mud guards
Brooks saddle
Miller light set
Not much else of note.

Quite a nice looking machine

JONES SPECIAL

2011-05-09T21:31:00.008+12:00

This is a 1930's Jones Special, built in Christchurch by
Jones Cycles. This company was one of New Zealand's, and certainly
the South Islands main race frame builders of the 1930's-early 40's.

Cyclo three speed, shifts OK as long as you go gentle with it.
Tied and soldered spokes on woods/alloy bottles on Major Taylor stems
it doesn't get any better than that.
If you like this then you will probably enjoy this older post
on Clark Cycles, Leader Specials.

It rides pretty nice, I had a good day out a while ago,
on one the kids school bike days,
the kids thought the woods where cool.
(which they are!)

The day was uneventful compered to the time I took along my
Skeats & Whites 1940's tandem track bike.
I had only thrown on a rudimentary brake the
morning before I arrived at the school to give the
kids a ride around the fields.
Little did I know that the whole school (just about)
would be circling the field at the same time!
I can tell you I (and Passenger) had some exciting
moments that afternoon.
It was a real steep learning curve on how to handle
a tandem track bike!

New Zealand cycle racing history

2011-05-02T09:19:00.006+12:00

Here are a couple of articles which I wrote for Endurance magazine last year.
I don't have the first part of the series, detailing the first New Zealand Six Day Tour in 1953, but will try and locate it soon.

A big thanks to my friend, and riding buddy, Max Parks who did the lay up.
Of course the people at the printers had to screw around with our layup, and completely ruin our beautiful work, so here they are as we intended.

Sorry if they are a little small to read easily, it was the best I could do.

IT LIVES

2011-04-17T10:19:00.004+12:00

1940's Mercury brought back from the grave

I was given this commission a little while back, a family asked if I could restore their Grandmothers bike, which she had owned since the mid 1940's.
Unfortunately I didn't take any photos of the bike in the depleted state that it was delivered to me, although the photo below of its wheels and guards might give some idea to it's condition.
The only thing I could salvage was the frame and forks, every other component was only good for scrap.The bike came up pretty well, and on its way back to grandma (now in her 90s) as a center piece for a family reunion.

This is how the project turned up at my place, a rusty heap.

I was pretty happy with the (nearly) finished bike, just wish I could have found some balloon tyres, this would have really finished the 'look'.

I also want to give a big shout out to the guys at The Hub Cycle Centre, the best cycle shop in the Hawkes bay, all serious roadies.
Run by former Olympic trackie and Dulux tour rider Rob Oliver, who built the wheels for this bike and few others on this blog, and also straightened a few of my wheel building efforts, and without laughing too.
And as we all know a pretty set of wheels maketh the bike!

Howards Holdworth

2011-04-09T21:32:00.006+12:00

Holdsworth 531 Special

I forgot about this one,this is from about six months ago. I was asked if I could put together a stylish fixie for friend down in Wellington. I found this nice Holdsworth Special 531 frame set, which I thought would fit the bill nicely, the only requirement was that it be painted white, the rest, including the red high lights were left to me.

The 531 Special gets undercoated and spot primed.

Looks the part, and could easily be made back into a road bike, which is what I would do if it was mine, althogh I did take it for a spin before I delivered it, and it felt like it would be a lot of fun around town set up like this.

Some more Paris Roubaix

2011-04-05T20:34:00.008+12:00

Some Paris Roubaix Love
This is my main project at the moment, a absolutely stunning 1952 Cycles CNC.
This machine was made for New Zealand track rider Colin Dickinson in 1952, by CNC in Paris, Colin had made a detour to Paris on his way home from competing for New Zealand on the track, in the '54 Olympic games held that year in Helsinki.
The bike did not see a lot of use back here in New Zealand, and is quite unusual in having a double chainset, in this case a very nice steel cotterless Gunutti item.
I had a friend make me the special crank extractor in the photo above, which has to be used with extreme care as there is only about three three threads to hold it into place.

Frame is very nicely made, unlike many French bike's that we are told about.
Although that being said, all the French bikes I have seen from the 1950's seem nicely built.

Box'o'Italian (and a bit of French) love

Coppi Stencils

2011-04-05T20:18:00.004+12:00

Fausto Stencils

Here are a couple of Coppi stencils,one of them out in the country where weary roadies out training can view it and get a bit of inspiration, cool idea.
The one below is in town, I also hear there is a Merckx stencil around, I'll post that when I see it.
Some more interesting street art here Peoples Revolutionary Arts Counci l

This is the link for the Merckx stencil

1951 Frejus Paris Roubaix

2011-04-05T19:30:00.010+12:00

Frejus model 'Campionissimo'

I have just picked up this beautiful Paris Roubaix equipped Frejus, which I had been hoping to acquire for the last few years.
The original owner, who still rides, has finally succumbed to the modern carbon fiber machines. So in a deal with his wife sold his three steel bikes, and brought himself a very nice modern ride.
As you can see he has kept the bike in great operating order, though modernizing it when he saw fit. The only original parts are the derailleur, Frejus brakes and frame set, although I was very happy when he pulled out of a box the original Durax Type Competition crank set, still in great condition.
I have been really enjoying riding it round, and found changing gear no problem.
The bike handles and steers extremely well,very nicely balanced and is a real pleasure to ride.
I will restore it completely, after I have finished the Paris Roubaix I am working on at the moment. I will probably sell one of them then.

Owner chromed head badge in the 1950's, kind of nice really.

Frejus branded Barillia brakes, not to effective, but they do stop you eventually.

Back again! 1930's Chater Lea

2011-04-01T21:55:00.014+13:00

Back Again
Here is a nice Chater Lea for you to view

Well it has been a while, but I am back blogging again, got a few new and interesting things things to share with any one out there who might be interested.
I have had this old Chater Lea thin tube for a few years now, but have not featured it yet.

I have been riding it quite bit lately and remembering what a evil handling beast it is.

Even so, I like to get them all out into the sun every now and then and push them along a bit A view from the cockpit.

These are single worst brakes that I have ever experienced, and I have ridden on a few real bad ones!
They nearly finished me, when one of the brake blocks flipped out at high speed, and of course, just as I was heading into a crowded roundabout in heavy morning traffic!
I had to hang on tight, and just drive through the mess of cars and trucks that was in front of me, and believe me, this don't handle like no track bike, somehow we both made it through in one piece.
I felt very 'awake' after that experience I can tell you.
But all that being said, it is actually a pretty nice ride when out on a quite back country road on a sunny day, it is pretty hard to imagine racing on it though.

THE SMALLEST PRODUCTION "ROAD" BIKE EVER?

2010-01-11T22:43:00.005+13:00

Could this Morrison Monkey be the smallest production road bike ever made.
I don't know, but I do know it sure is one of the craziest modern production bike's I have seen.

Check out the clearance( or lack of it) of the rear derailleur.

As you can see, it used to have a a gear shifter on the top tube, just one of several unusual features on this crazy machine, I love it.
I have decided to give this ugly duckling a full restoration, so will post some photo's when it's back to it's original glory.

HOW NOT TO SET UP A 1949 SIMPLEX

2010-01-11T22:21:00.012+13:00

Yes, that is the end of my 1949 Simplex derailleur, the very one that I had been saving just for this restoration., oh well, it did go out being used on a racing bike and not just sitting around in some collection gathering dust, that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

I guess the cable stretched a bit,the lower jockey wheel caught the spokes ( all of this happening at high speed), and the next thing you know, I'm flying through the air, though not for long, as gravity quickly takes over in the proceedings.
At lest it wasn't a Suzuki GSX1100, which is what came sailing over the top me last time I went over the bars on a bike and bit the dust.

The Empire back on the road now, with a Campagnolo Grand Sport filling in for the Simplex for time being, a friend is sending me a another broken Simplex, which I hope to rebuild using the spares from mine, which, unfortunatelywas more wrecked than it looks in the photo.

Left a real nice bruise, arm and back looked about the same.

1949 BATES BAR RESTORATION

2009-12-29T19:16:00.006+13:00

After many hours of friggin around on this frame set, I have finally got the Bates to a stage where I thought it was ready for paint. The cantiflex tubes proved to be a real hassle to straighten.
Sorry about the quality of the photos, I will try and post some better ones soon.

I am pretty happy with the result, the off white, 50's green and dark red works well together I think.

This build up will have a nearly full British group set, so stay tuned and I will post some photos when finished.

KEN EVANS RAT BIKE

2009-12-09T13:16:00.011+13:00

Ready for a 'ride to get the milk'

My brother has just turned up, back from his OE, to stay with us for a little while.
After the mandatory "what was such and such a country like" conversation was over, I got down to business, and asked the real question, "what sort of bike do you like to ride now".
Turns out he doesn't much like racing bikes, but does like something a bit grungy, but mostly a bike to just get around (he doesn't drive).

With the design brief in mind I got to work...
(this all happened within 12 hours of him turning up at our place)

I had just come back from Auckland, visiting my mate Chris from the Scroungers car club,
so was all inspired to build a bit of a beater bike.

Started with a Aussie Ken Evans frameset, which I had been given a while back, looking pretty much like it is now, paint half stripped by hand, surface rust etc.
Next we tried using some old "26 wheels with a Sturmey Archer three speed, but the rear didn't quite fit, which is a bummer, they looked real good.
I had a search of the leanto, out in the back yard, and found this ragged old set of wheels.
Campag low flange hubs on Fiamme "27 alloy rims, perfect.
Next I found a trashed set of campag cranks, with the alloy peeling, some cool old pedals and a half dead Cyclo freewheel, she was starting to take shape.

For bars, I used a set of GB alloys, for a little bit of flash, on a unnamed steel stem from a thirties racer.
Shimano 600 front brakes, with a BMX lever for a touch of the modern, or something.

Liam, about to test ride the bike, and nearly crash in to a parked cop (not wearing a helmet), when the brakes failed.Yeh it was pretty funny.

Looks cool, and goes good too.

EMPIRE SUPERB FINISHED.

2009-12-06T21:43:00.015+13:00

The Empire is finally finished. I have taken it out for a couple of short rides, and as usual there is a couple of small finishing touches needed.
However from the time I have ridden it, I can already see that I will be putting a few miles on this one, she is a real sweetie.
I will probably change the Brooks swallow for a B17, I love the look of the swallows, but they just don't suit my arse.

SPECS.
1953 Empire Super 531 frameset.
L.J. Simplex three speed rear derailleur with shifter
Durex block
Simplex front rod derailleur
Stronglite cranks
Simplex chainwheels
Phillips pedals
Brooks Swallow saddle
GB Super Hood brake levers
GB Coureur brake calipers
Cinelli steel stem
Coloral alloy water bottles
Fiamme red label rims
Harden high flange hubs..mmmm..my favorite.

GB Super Hood levers, without hoods, nice anodized adjusters though.

By the way, make sure you put your white cloth bar tape on AFTER you have the bike sorted!
At lest that way they might stay a little bit clean, well longer than about one hour, which is how long my stayed clean for.

Cyclo rear drop outs.
Four speed block, but Simplex can only handle three.

TAUPO CYCLE CHALLENGE '09, A LITTLE SHOW

2009-12-02T21:12:00.007+13:00

My helpers and pizza eaters, thanks guys.

I took a little exhibit of NZ cycle racing history over to Taupo, for their Cycle Challenge weekend.
It was a bit boxed in, as you can see in the photos, but it didn't look to bad.
Better than in does in the photos anyway.
Took the family along, a had a great time. If you are ever in Taupo, go for a ride through the botanical gardens, it's well worth it.

The exhibit looking a little squashed in.

Some memorabilia.

Neil Geraghtys 1958 Australian 'Master Sports track bike.
Neil won the '58 Austral star wheel race ( Australia's biggest track race of the year) on this frame.
I will do a piece on the blog about this bike and the race shortly.

FRAME PAINTING PART TWO

2009-11-23T14:17:00.012+13:00

Well I have finally found the time to throw some paint about, if you have been following this blog you will know that these three frames have been the subject of a little informal look at frame preparation/painting.

After all the hard work of prep covered last time, we now move on to painting and masking.

As you can see below, I have already painted the Empire frames white bits, the lugs, seat tube and front, rear forks,and am in the middle of masking the lugs, ready for the main colour to go on.

When masking, I use a low tack masking tape, to help avoid the problem of pulling off paint when it comes time to remove tape.I have had this happen using normal masking tape, and it really sucks, so spend a little extra here and save yourself some heartache.

The top lug in the photo below has already been masked and trimmed, the lower lug ready for trimming.

I use an X actor scalpel, the blades are pretty cheap, so I always use a new one for every bike.

After masking, find an small, old blunt screw driver (or something similar), and press the tape into the lug edge, then carefully cut around lug with your blade, make sure you have cut through both layers, where there are any over laps in masking tape(avoid this where possible).

Then remove unwanted tape, repress tape into lug edge. This is important to help reduce paint bleed.

The Empire Superb, with its main colour now applied, and is nearly ready for clear coat. I use automotive base coat, and two pack, clear top coat. You can use spray cans just as well, if you do, I recommend getting your product from a professional auto paint shop, as lots of the spray cans from hardware shops are pretty dodgy I think, even some of the bigger brands don't work that well, and scratch off really easily.The best bet, is to use a lacquer spay paint, and a clear lacquer to finish, this way, the paint colour has at lest a bit of protection.

As you can see below, there is a little bleed, and an uneven line where the solder has pooled out at the top of the lug.

I will use a very fine modellers paint brush to fix this.

It is usually a good idea to thin the paint a little before doing this, and if you don't have a steady hand, leave for a few days, to allow paint to harden before attempting this, so you can wipe off mistakes, without rubbing off base paint, and making a real mess, done that to, and that sucks as well.

Lees tandem gets its first coat...so does the Bates.

My new 'go to the dairy and get some milk' ride. the Five Star Malvern Star

2009-11-19T13:03:00.012+13:00

Why does this man look so contented with his lot ?, read on and find out...

As I am sure you all know, everyone should have at lest one different bike for any occasion that might arise in your normal, day to day life. And maybe a couple extras, for those unexpected surprises.

Now how many many different bikes, for how many different occasions, is a question that one can only answer himself, usually after many painful hours of soul searching...

I bring this topic up because the last thing I would want to happen to you, is what happened to me, just the other day, read on in amazement.

I got home, after a full day with the family, at about half past five in the evening, and discovered "hey we haven't got any milk'. A quick ride to the dairy was in order, but which bike to take on this short, but vital, mission?

It was then, to my horror, that a dreadful realization began to dawn upon me, I have no 'go to the dairy and get some milk' bike.

Without enthusiasm, I pulled out my 'get to work, 60's style' Mercian (as opposed to the 'get to work 50's style' Comet) and achieved the mission satisfactorily, but without the joy it might have given me - with the right bike.

This would not do, but just when I thought all hope was lost, this happened...

Yesterday, by complete fluke, I found this 1950's Malvern Star, Five Star racer.

As soon as saw her I knew that, the thing missing, the thing that I needed to get quickly, but with the utmost style, the thing of pure simplicity and form, that would allow me to get to the dairy with a grin on my face had been delivered to me (for $95.00).

Now it didn't quite look like this yesterday; it had a rear carrier, SW Sturmey Archer hub, wrecked Brooks etc...but it did have Gnutti cranks, Burlite rear brake, GB front.....

....and this cool rear brake bridge....

... also the most exquisite/fine pin striping I have ever seen, this wouldn't look out of place on fine china , if this is not art, I don't know what is (except this actually looks cool).....so I gently cleaned and waxed the frame, whacked on a set of woods, longer stem and comfy old brooks, and voilà... my very own 'go to the dairy and get some milk' street beater..now I am a complete Man( or is that completely insane!) ..for now.

NOTES ON CYCLE FRAME PREPERATION FOR PAINTING

2009-10-22T15:42:00.009+13:00

After chatting with a few mates about old bikes 'n' stuff, I realized that a lot of guys wouldn't mind a few pointers to help with their rebuilds.
Keep in mind that I am not proclaiming to be THE expert, but if you want a few proven steps that might be of some use read on.....

Above. Custom sanding block and bucket with wet'n'dry paper, learn to love it.

The most important tool is your shaped sanding block. I use a cork block, which I sand a curve into using an old piece of tubing with a piece of course 40 grit sand paper wrapped around it to get the right shape.
You will need to get your frame stripped either chemically or bead/sand blasted.
Remember that if you sand blast the frame you can't chrome it, as the resulting finish is to rough, and even painting afterwards , you will need to rub down with 240-320 sandpaper.

If your frame has any small dents or dings (most do)that you don't think will compromise the safety of the finished bike you can use automotive two pack filler to repair.
As you can see above, this Bates Bar needed quite a bit of filler.
If there is a ripple or any kind of irregularity on the under side of the top tube or down tube behind the front lugs, STOP.
This will tell you your bike has been in a frontal accident, if the dent is very minor you might be able to still use the bike, but before carrying on consult your trusted local bike shop mechanic and get their opinion.
The Austral Star I am rebuilding at the moment has such damage. As the bike is mainly for display use I have just straightened it myself.

Most frames that I have seen that are 30+ years old have some degree of metal decay,which generally shows up as shallow pitting, mostly very minor.
The tube above is from an at lest 70 yo tandem, and will need quite a bit of work.
In either case, I will use a good quality high build primer, two or three coats depending on the depth of pitting.
It is very important to use a good quality high build primer, as a lot of the cheap products tend to sink back over a period of time, which in short means that after about two or three months your beautiful machine will look like..well you know.
So find yourself a good auto paint supplier, and ask questions.
Frames all painted in high build primer, ready to be rubbed back.
A Bates top tube after sanding back with 240 grit wet and dry paper.
Note the way the high build primer has filled most of the smaller pits.

Paint with primer again, this time dust coat a darker colour over your primer, as in photo above.
This will help show up any high/low spots where you have used filler, or that you might of missed altogether.
This is known as a guide coat, you can use this term for a little credibility at the paint shop, I know I do.
Sand back with 240-320 wet'n'dry paper.
Notice the couple of low spots in photo below, clearly defined by the black guide coat.

After you have fixed your high/low spots, go over frame and use spot putty to fill any remaining little pitting marks, some bikes like the tandem below could need quite a bit, however time spent on these stages will result in a great finish.
Don't fill anything to deep with spot putty, as it tends to sink back, it is only for very shallow pitting.
Block back one more time using your shaped sanding block, this time use at lest 320 grit paper.
As you can see below, the spot putty is very effective.

Prime once more.
Using wet 'n' dry 600-800grit paper this time to gently rub back, be careful not to
rub back to the steel.
Your frame should be ready for paint, which I will go through real soon..it's the fun bit.

1949 BATES BAR RESTORATION

2009-10-22T13:19:00.009+13:00

I have just got my '49 Bates Bar back from the repair shop.
I had taken some photos of the bike pre repairs, unfortunately I can't seem to find them at present.
I had been chasing after this frame for quite a while, so even though I was aware that the frame had been well and truly butchered by it's last custodian, I was of the mind that these are rare enough in New Zealand to warrant a full rebuild, and more importantly I have always wanted to ride one and see if those durant forks gave the bike a different feel.
And I also was looking for an excuse to put a bike together with a full British group set.
Firstly we had to get all the added braze on's and other assorted crap off....
1.Remove added shifter braze on's
2. Remove extra brake bridge, added to accommodate 700c wheels.
3. Replace original damaged brake bridge.
4.Repair several holes in the frame.
5. Remake and replace rear drop out's, which had been cut down, and modified to take a campagnolo derailleur.
Repair the multitude of dings and dents on all three main tubes.

Repaired hole where original pump bracket was, has been replaced with a new one, not as fine as the original, but needed to cover the rather large hole left by the previous bracket.
Also just noticeable is the repaired hole where the added braze on shifters where.

Newly fabricated rear drop outs and brake bridge.

TINO TABAK COMING SOON

2009-10-15T20:54:00.009+13:00

With Jonathan Kennett's new book, Dreams and Demons, The Tino Tabak story due for release early next month, I thought I would give you a little teaser.........
Above. One of the great New Zealand cycle racing photos Tabak in action in the Dulux Six Day Tour 1966. Film star looks combined with an aggressive will to win, which he did..often, made him the most recognized name in New Zealand cycle sport since Nick Carter and until Sarah Ulmer.
Man even I think he looks sexy.

Riding for Peter Posts newly formed TI Raleigh Pro team 1974

Above. Dwars-door-Belgie. Belgium 1975.

Tabak in very very good company Tour de France 1971.
He was regarded as one of the 'finds' of the Tour.

So go buy the book, it's got it all..you won't be disappointed.

1953 AUTOMOTO CHAMPION DU MONDE

2009-10-12T17:08:00.011+13:00

This 1953 French Automoto belonged to Ted Redward, who brought this machine especially to ride in the first New Zealand Six Day Tour, the 1953 Wisemans. Ted rode this bike in all five Wisemans tours 1953-57. This great New Zealand race will be covered in my book Wolves of the Road.

The front brake is a CLB with a really nice little butterfly quick release.
Notice the clover leaf detail in the head lug this was Automoto's distinctive logo.

Automoto sponsored many professional teams. Their most successful period was in the 20's when Henri Pelisser won the Tour de France in 1923 and Ottavio Bottecchia continued the winning streak in 1924 and '25 both in the Hutchinson, Automoto team.

Huret lever operated front derailleur, Magistroni cranks and chainwheels, AD HOC pump, Phillips pedals and Strada toe clips...... these are a few of my favourite things.........

Other projects on the go..1952 Empire Superb and Lee's Tandem

2009-09-17T17:01:00.013+12:00

Ad from the back cover of a 1951 New Zealand Cycling Review magazine, good inspiration for my restoration.
1952 Empire Superb back to bare steel and all ready for the rebuild.
These frames were built and distributed exclusively for Hope Gibbons in the North Island and Eadie Bros in the South Island , built by whom I am not sure of at present but will do some research and see what info I can come with.
This particular machine belonged to Lynn Wood of New Plymouth, pictured below.
He rode to victory in the 1962 100 mile Taranaki Round the Mountain classic on this frame.
Lynn was brought this frame in the early 1950's by his Dad, and rode it right through his cycle racing career until the 1970's.

Frame weight 1.94 kg, a very cleanly made machine, check out the front and rear tips, real 50's style...nothing looks better to me on a vintage racing bike than this stuff.

My mate Lee's Royal Enfeild tandem that I am going to restore for him.
This bike has been in Lee's family for a very very long time, so it will be good to get to get it up and running in all it's former glory.
Check out the photo above when it had been set up with a steering wheel, these are a couple of Lee's Dad's mates in Old Blighty late 1960's
Lee is a good guy to talk to if you want some old decals retraced for a restoration, he did the work on the Avanti decals that are on my other blog http://theavantiproject.blogspot.com/
You can contact Lee at lee@blackrobinclothing.com for graphic or decal work for your restoration, he's the man.
Lee's Great Great Auntie and the Royal Enfeild when new, late 1920's early 30's England.

Work starts on the Austral Star

2009-09-17T16:10:00.011+12:00

Period Austral Star ad from a 1950 Speedewell Cycle Works catalogue.

Frame just back from the paint strippers, frame ( less forks of course)weight is 1.91 kg not bad.

Man I love those little maps of Australia in the head lugs, really looking forward to getting into this build.

1956 ROTRAX TRACK BIKE

2009-09-06T00:10:00.009+12:00

1956 ROTRAX
Just finished this '56 Rotrax which has came up really nice.
I hand mixed both colours, and am pretty pleased with the two tone effect.
Unfortunately I have to sell it so I can fund the purchase of a very historical Tandem track bike for my New Zealand Cycling racing exhibit...oh well sometimes you have to make the big calls, although I always find it hard to let go of any of my bikes..boo hoo
Anyway I thought I would post some photo's before it leaves.

Williams cranks and chainwheel with Wippermann inch pitch chain

This one had some very pretty Nervex lugs

SOME MORE AUSTRAL STAR

2009-09-04T20:43:00.013+12:00

Rex Walker with his Austral Star 1948
Walker from New Plymouth is shown here in an after race studio photograph, which was part of his prize for winning the 'Round the Mountain' Taranaki 104 mile classic in 1948.
Walker the youngest rider to win this race, was only 16 and a half years at the time, this result is even more impressive, when the conditions the race was run in that year are taken into account.
By all accounts the weather that day, which is normally rainy and windy at best for this race, were this worst seen since 1911, and only 13 riders finished.
Remember that the pro riders from this period were known as being real 'hard men' so the weather must have been appalling.

This is a later model Austral Star, early 1950's.
Some very nice, clean hand filed head lugs, I also noticed that it has the same spear point detail on the top of the top tube lugs, which is on the pre war Austral Star from the previous post and also other Austral Stars that I have seen. This could be a reasonably good way to identify post war Austral Stars that don't have the map of Australia in the head set.
Laurie Coats of Speedwell Cycles, Auckland, who was selling Austral Stars among other New Zealand racing bikes in the 1940's-50's told me that he thought these were the best finished New Zealand bikes that he dealt with.
This bike is now in the process of being restored, I will post some more photographs of it as I get it finished.

ONE MANS JUNK... PART 2 AUSTRAL STAR

2009-08-28T09:39:00.010+12:00

AUSTRAL STAR
Austral Star down tube decal blue with white key line, on blue painted band.

Down tube decal

Now I could stand to be corrected on the following information........
Austral Star was set up in Christchurch some time in the mid 1940's' as a New Zealand branch of Australia's Malvern Star Cycle or at least Malvern Star had a major interest in it.
They built racing bikes until the mid/late 1950's.
Former Speedwell Cycles owner Laurie Coates (now 96) remembers "we lost our import licenses in the mid 40's, we had been bringing in Malvern Stars until then, I suppose this is why Malvern Star started Austral Star".
I think this seems plausible enough, and the time line certainly adds up.
Their racing bikes were widely sold through out New Zealand, Speedwell cycle Works in Auckland sold them along side their range of Frejus frames ( imported by W H Worrall & Co Ltd)
It is not to uncommon when discussing old steads with old riders that the name Austral Star will come up at some point in their career (either ridden by them or someone they knew), so with this highly unscientific research I assume Austral Stars were pretty popular amongst the peleoton of the time , Laurie Coates certainly thought highly of their finish and quality.

Map of Australia in the head tube, nice touch.

Can't really see it here, but this it the model name, Zephyr.

WANNA SEE SOMETHING REALLY SEXY......

2009-08-21T20:08:00.014+12:00

BERTIN TRACK

My new love, bike love that is, ( that's not as weird as it sounds, I think?),is this very early sixty's Bertin Track machine.
531 tubing of course, paint in pretty good order, with some beautifully fine and elegant pin stripping, chrome is a bit on the tatty side, as is the way with French chrome, thin and shitty.
Airlite hubs, Wobler Sprint rims (nice), Stronglight Competition headset, Cinelli stem, unamed bars, Nervex Professional lugs etc...

This is my favorite part of the bike, the TA cottered aluminum cranks, I really dig cottered racing cranks, but of course am always looking to lose weight on the vintage bikes that I ride regularly. So these will really help in that department ( as anyone who has felt the weight of a steel double chainset will attest ).
These are the ultimate expression of cottered chainsets, and really bridge the gap between what I consider vintage and classic bikes, that cross over being somewhere in the late 1950's and early sixty's, (according to me anyhow).

NZ TRADE JERSEYS

2009-08-19T20:57:00.006+12:00

An unknown rider at the end of a hard race, love this photo.
I saw some photo's the other day of the Round the Gorges circa 1920's, where the riders were actually riding along the railway tracks, because part of the road had washed out.
These old cash riders were made of tough stuff.

Jones Cycles, with Harry Watson and co.
At some point I think I will have to make a real small run of wool (merino )'Jones Special' jerseys with the side buttons, man they would be cool, but expensive to make I suspect. let me know if you want one, if I get enough interest I will look into it.( for enthusiasts only)

Unknown Butler rider 1920's
Butler was a Christchurch cycle company, whom employed the great Hubert Turtill to build their frames for a time. These 'Turtill' frames are some of the nicest frames I have seen made in New Zealand from this period (1940's-50s)

Gamage team riders, names and date to come.

Bill Pratney wearing a Wizard Cycles jersey,circa 1937.
This machine shows some remarkable lugwork for the period.
Wizard Cycles were a Auckland shop, situated on Ponsonby rd.
Many great North Island riders rode Wizards includind Laurie Byers who started on a Wizard track bike.
photo from "Bill Pratney, Never say die" from the New Zealand Cycling Legends series of books.
www.kennett.co.nz BUY IT!

ONES MANS JUNK.......

2009-08-06T23:49:00.008+12:00

Leader Superbe
Yes one mans junk is another mans treasure, I found this Auckland built (Clark Cycles) Leader Superbe and a couple of other 30' -40's New Zealand race frames sitting in a trailer, about to take their last trip...to the dump.
Well I couldn't let that happen, home they came with me.
Not sure what I will do with them, as I already have quite a few projects on, although one of the other bikes, an Austral Star (which I will post soon ), is pretty interesting, so could well get restored.

Hand painted down tube writing, pretty common on New Zealand bikes from around this time, the main logo was always a printed decal. Most of the race bikes I have seen from around this time had plenty of nice hand done pin striping, some being real works of art. One early race frame I have seen had flowers painted in a sort of scroll on all the main tubes, it was a real stunner.

The ubiquitous stars on the head tube, lots of makers used them, there are all kinds of stories about them coming from Australia by way of Malvern Star etc, but I think they were just brought buy the builders along with the rest of the frame parts.

It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but there is some quite nice fine pin striping on this seat tube.

1951 Comet Road/track bike

2009-08-06T10:58:00.009+12:00

Jack Wade on a machine with similar frame angles to that of the featured Comet. Photographed at about the same period that this Comet is from, maybe slightly earlier, notice the rather straight front fork bend, adding to the short wheel base (for the period) of these bikes.

Check out the tight frame geometry, unlike any other Comet from this period that I have seen.

It could have been especially ordered with these angles, I have heard that a couple of Auckland coaches were experimenting with the then radical (in New Zealand) frame angles at this time and were having them built by Slater Hayes at Comet Cycles.

I am sure this bike was used for the dual roles of both road and track which was the norm rather than the exception at this time, which makes the angles seem all the more impressive, as it would have made this machine a real hand full at speed on the really rugged New Zealand roads of the time.
Note the Durax cranks, Simplex chainwheels and Simplex rod front derailleur, a classic early 1950's combination.

Comet downtube decal still quite visible, Constrictor 27" alloy rims and Cyclo shifter.
A nice touch is the off set (to the left) pump pegs.

Classic Slater Hayes seat wrap style, refer to other Comets on this blog and you will see the obvious similarities.

Siobhans birthday ride

2009-08-05T20:27:00.003+12:00

Had a nice ride out into the country( well it's all country around here really) with Siobhan on her Birthday this week for a little picnic.
Took the Mercian and loaded the Karrimore bag full of coffee and cake and other assorted treats. We had a great day, although the last half was quite a bit slower, after said coffee and cake.
Siobhan just told me to mention her bike, which you can just see in the background above, it's a 1976 Gitane Tour de France. We were told it was one of 10 that were Taken over to Canada for the Swiss woman's team to train on for the winter Olympics.
If you ever get the chance, come through the Hawkes Bay for a bit of riding pleasure, it really is beautiful around here, with lots of different routes to take you to all the,rivers, beaches a few lakes that are easily reached in a morning ride.

The new office

2009-08-03T20:37:00.009+12:00

One of my favorite bike's is this '67 Mercian 'King of Mercia' which I have been using to get to the office since the weather has cleared, karrimore bag is essential for a work bike, well for me anyhow as I always seem to have lots of stuff to take here and there.

Hard at work.........

The New Office
Kindly donated by the Hawkes Bay Buddhists (thanks guys)
Yes as you can see, I have this great office in Napier now, so I can try and actually get some writing done on the"Wolves of the road" book. One of the best things about it is that it's about 25km's from home here in Flaxmere, so I can get a nice ride to and from there to here,or here to there or something like that.
I was also looking for a reason to make a new bike up (everyone needs a office bike of course) so I set set up a 1954 Hobbs into a single speed traffic beater for a bit of about town fun and op shopping.

The work bike, 1954 Hobb's, it originally had a Sturmey Archer ASC fixed hub, but I have loaned that to a friend for a while, so set it up as a single fixed for now, quite a cool looking bike & good fun too.

Publish Post

I am working on the 1960 Dulux tour year at the moment, trying to piece together all the action and excitement, seems to be coming along pretty good so far.

2009-07-05T21:37:00.007+12:00

The Comet get's winterized

I have a little office in Napier now, so needed a bike to do the 50km round trip, I started doing it on my Bosomworth, but decided I would rather do it on something older, enter the Comet.
In true 1950's British club style, I have given the Comet a bit of a going over.
I had a nice set of Bluemels Continentals hung up in corner of the garage, they were a little worse for wear, but a couple of evenings with 00 wire wool and Mother's polish got them presentable again.
Getting the clearance right took almost as much time!
Front and rear battery lights.
Karriemore rear bag, FM 4speed Sturmey Archer.

All I need now are some +4's that fit.

2009-07-02T22:34:00.012+12:00

Gordon Dally's Dulux Six Day Race tool box

I tracked down former Dulux six day race mechanic Gordon Dally(about 1967-76) up in the Bay of Islands about three months ago. After chatting on the phone for a while about his memory's of the race and riders, he mentioned that he still had his original tool kit!

I told him about my Book project and exhibit of cycle racing memorabilia that I display at various Museums and events, and he kindly donated this very cool tool kit.
So I jumped into the car and drove the nine hour drive up to his place the next week.
As can be seen in the first photo, Gordon made this ingenious wheel truing stand that bolts to the top of the tool box when needed.

As I was about to leave Gordon's after a nice cuppa and cake, Gordon ask's me to hang on a minute and came back with his Dulux Race Mechanic's track suit, which was made especially for him by Bob Pratt at Pex sports wear, who were making all the Dulux cycle jerseys at the time.
I was more than happy, with this jacket I could now make a really engaging exhibit, all I need to find now is a photo of him on the race.
This should look really good in Wolves of the road book as well

I will bring this over to the Taupo Challage in November this year if I end up putting the exhibit on there again.

Detail of track suit front patch

2009-06-27T21:45:00.008+12:00

The Two dollar bike

Yep, got this bike from the local recyclers for 2 bucks, less wheelset, seat and pedals.
It was painted in one of those appalling 80's tri colour paint schemes, that I am hoping is one of those fashions that don't have a retro revival.
Anyway first thing I did when I got it home was to strip it and spray it in rattle can satin black with off white front forks,rat rod styles, looked sweet.
I then got to drive a drill press without a license and proceeded to attack every component that looked like it could bear it with reckless disregard.
At that stage it had some tri bars on, so I drilled those to,but Rob down at the Hub cycle shop
took one look at those off they came.
When a guys got as much experience as him, you don't argue the toss, although I have to say they looked pretty cool all drilled out and all.
Rode it like this for about a year, it was kind of like a beater, didn't look much, but was light and real good around town.
Got bored one day and decided to give it a decent paint job.
After interviewing a lot of riders from the late 1950's and 60's and hearing their views on the Legnano's that they rode in NZ, which basically was, they were like lead pipe, plain gauge 531 at best for a few them I think. (This bike is 531 professional by the way).
I decided to make this bike a homage to those Beautiful if somewhat heavy Legnano's, and also to the 50's Greasers and their lowrider kustom cars, call it the 'LedSled' and paint it in the Legnano colours, and use silver paint instead of chrome in the modern Hi tech rod style.
I cut the LedSled out in stencil the same as the early Legnano's, which were also stencils.
Came out pretty nice I think.
I have got a nice Ken Evans frame hanging in the garage that would look nice painted like this, could do it for someone if they like this look of this?

Raleigh TI track bike

2009-06-17T22:29:00.009+12:00

Somethings have gotta go
I had to sell this Raleigh track bike frame Sniffle..sniffle... set so thought I would post some photo's before it went.
Here they are, such a sweet looking machine.
Raleigh really got this one right.

Wolves of the road book

2009-06-17T20:32:00.032+12:00

Wolves of the road
The Wisemans and Dulux six day tours 1953-1985
the book project
About 18 months ago I sold my screen printing business and decided to write a book on the New Zealand Wiseman's and Dulux six day cycle tours 1953-1985, this is the story so far....

These races were New Zealands own Tour de France, and were the proving grounds for pretty much all of our top road men over this period,and as such should be, in my opinion, documented in a beautiful book.

As far as I could see, that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

So I decided to write the book that I wanted to read.

The first thing that I did was to introduce myself to Neil Robinson, Neil (Robbie) had won the Dulux Tour in 1964. He was also the first rider to take the purple King of the Mountains and Maillot Jaune jerseys in the same year, during the Dulux years.

Fortunately he only lived three hours away in Gisbourne.
I drove up,and armed with a tiny tape recorder and plenty of enthusiasm, I proceeded to conduct my first interview for the book.
Robbie turned out to be the nicest guy one could meet, and also had a excellent memory, great scrap books (something which I have come to love), and all his old jerseys (something else I have come to love),but wait there's more...a couple of his old bikes (something I already loved!).

It was in hindsight the perfect interview, Robbie had all the things that I needed to make this book match what was in my minds eye, cool woolen jerseys,good information, great photos and most of all great stories.
The 1964 year was in the bag!

I realized at about this point, that to make this book work I would need to make sure that enough of the memorabilia, photos and riders were still around to fill a book with the stories and accompanying images needed to fill the tomb I had in mind.
So the next mission was to start tracking down as many of the earliest riders as I could and start piecing together the history, stories, memorabilia etc.
I am still in this process, but I now know there is enough history surviving to finish the project.

I have also put together a sample of the book using a bookbinder (featured below) with about 30 pages actually printed (the rest blank) to show prospective publishers the look and size, about 350 pages, that I have in mind.

This part was done with designer Fane Flaws and photographer Brian Culy.

Book Sample

Tino Taback on the attack Front piece, Brain 'Happy" Howlett winning last stage at Western Springs, Auckland
Wisemans six day tour 1954Spread page for the 1964 year 1964 year with Neil Robinson and his purple King of the Mountains jersey.
As you can see every one of the six days is covered every year, giving the reader a first hand account of all the action and drama that took place.

This is why I am spending so much time, travelling and talking to as many of the riders involved as I can find, to get behind the headlines and find out the real stories, and believe me, there are some beauties.

A section on Hills Cycle Works.
There will be sections throughout the book that will cover the main New Zealand cycle shops, period magazines, cycle clothing manufactures, in fact anyone or anything that played a significant part in this wonderful history.

Wolves of the road

2009-06-17T19:33:00.008+12:00

Starters page,every year all starters are listed, this way all riders who rode the Tour will get their name in the book, even if they don't get into the main text.
This page will also include results of top eight places and top three King of the Mountains riders.

Bio page, all Tour winners will get a short biography of their cycle racing careers. If they win twice I get to choose another of our great riders who maybe didn't win or didn't ride the Tour, and do a bio on them.

I have got a couple in riders mind already, any ideas on who you think would deserve their own bio?

There will be section's on the important road bikes used in New Zealand. In this section shown on Legnano, the road bike featured was Ritchie Thompson's ( Dulux 2nd three times, 3rd twice, New Zealand's Poulidor? )
I restored this one from a bit of a wreck, it was given to me by Neil Robinson (cheers Robbie).
The track bike was loaned by Ron Cheatly (cheers Ron)

Ritchie Thompson riding the Dulux day tour on a Legnano

The bike sections will have the manufactures histories along with their connection to the New Zealand scene.
I will feature Claud Butler, Frejus, Holdsworth,Bertin,TI Raleigh, RIH, Colanago, and of course a few New Zealand builders, I am hoping to use as many bikes that were actually used on the Tour as possible, so let me know if you know where any are.

I am really looking forward to restoring the bikes ( if they need it) when I find them, and then writing/photographing these sections.

So anyone with any relevant information on the race, riders,photos or bikes from this period etc please don't hesitate to contact me.
And especially any riders/photos/bikes from the 1953-1957 Wisemans era.

2009-06-17T17:54:00.013+12:00

Reg Harris T-shirt

I am a screen printer by trade, and although I don't have a screen printing business any longer, I really dig printing and making new designs.

I started printing when I was a young punk in the early 1980's and you couldn't buy punk t-shirts so i started making my own and have been screen printing in some form or another ever since.

Well of course I had to turn my hand to making some other t-shirts you can't get! that being cool cycle racing t-shirt's, I am not sure if I will make these for sale yet, I really just wanted one for myself, but I guess if I get enough interest for them I will.

As you can see I used the illustration from an original Raleigh poster for this shirt, I can tell you there was many hours spent retracing it, but it came up very nice.
I have done a couple of others which I will post up at some point.

2009-06-16T17:55:00.012+12:00

Welcome to the Garage
or should that be welcome to the madness

Yep, this is where the magic happens,bikes are stripped, guitars are strummed,bits of old stuff cleaned,a little more strumming, a little more old stuff cleaned, a lick of spray paint, some assembly and hey presto something new to take out for a ride and or exhibit yay.
( if only it was that easy....)

Yes I do know where every thing is...well most of the time anyway

2009-06-10T19:46:00.005+12:00

The great Bill Pratney, one of New Zealand most enduring cash riders whose career spanned three decades from 1926-1957.

Notice Pratney is wearing a Leader Cycles jersey, as you will see later in this blog most early NZ frame builders had their own team jerseys. They were however mainly for pre or post publicity photo shots etc, and sadly are rarely seen in action.

This photo is from the Kennett Bros book
'Never say die" the Bill Pratney story,No 3 in their 'New Zealand Cycling Legend' series.
These guys are NZ's foremost cycle historians, check out their books on the link below and then buy at least one, firstly because they are a great read, and secondly because it will help support all their great work.
http://www.kennett.co.nz/

Detail shot of the Super Champion derailleur,a later upgrade of this bike which was originally a fixed wheel road/track machine.

Clarkes Cycles Works Ltd mid 1920's-late 1950's

Firstly I would like to say that I've spent many hours of digging,ringing and questioning to come up with not much information, so sorry for the lack of history about this important New Zealand builder.

What I have found is Clarkes Cycles was formed in the early 1920's in Newmarket, Auckland. The owners were of the Brethren faith, which is one of the main reasons I have had such little luck in finding any of the company's history.

Clarkes astutely employed known cycle racers to build their own line of cycles, called Leader. the racers were at first named "Superb" and later, as the model shown here, the name changed to"Special".
Clarkes offered off the rack domestic and road/track bicycles,or a custom built machine for the more discerning rider.

By 1951 there was two new Clarkes outlets in Auckland, the new outlets being in 267 Karangahape rd and 29 Victoria st.
As can be seen by the advertisements Leaders were used by many top North Island riders including the great Bill Pratney who rode a Leader early in his career.
Clarkes, like many of the older cycle business's around the country seemed to struggle though the mid-late 50's,and closed it's doors around this time.

After talking with the riders and studying copious amounts of photos from this period, it is plainly evident that Clarkes and their Leader Superb and Leader Specials were a major force in the North Island scene through out the 30's-early 50's

Ad from NZ cycling review August 1951

Harden Hubs are also later edition to this bike which originally ran wooden rims and Vew hubs.

2009-06-10T19:28:00.001+12:00

Some very nice hand cut head lugs, with the L being a nice touch.Such ornate lug work is very unusual for a bike of this period (late 30's).

Detail shot of the three speed Super Champion shifter.

2009-06-02T12:25:00.002+12:00

Hastings Community Arts Centre April 2009

Waipawa Museum April 2008

The Flying Wheel Exhibit

This another thing that I have been doing over the last 18 months. Putting together and displaying an exhibit of the racing bicycle in New Zealand and associated memorabilia 1900-1985.

The first show was held at the Waipawa Museum April-June 2008, which was well received.I was then invited to take the exhibit to the New Zealand Cycle Expo 08, which is part of the Taupo Cycle challenge.
Siobhan and I set up the exhibit and looked after it over that weekend, which was a lot of fun.It also gave me the opportunity to see firsthand what non enthusiasts made of all this old stuff. Well to my surprise nearly everyone from all age groups seemed to really enjoy it.

This made me realize that given the right context most people can enjoy and appreciate all sorts of stories from of their collective national history, even if they had never encountered or even thought of it before.I found the experience very encouraging.

Unfortunately the photos from Taupo were lost, so can't show you anything from there.
Next up I held the exhibit at the Hastings Community Arts Centre briefly in April 2009. This time I had more room to spread out, and give the individual exhibits more space the show looked great, and was again well received.

Bidons,water bottles and Flasks

2009-06-01T21:55:00.003+12:00

This is the first plastic bottle to be produced by Coloral, late 1950's

Interesting to note cork stopper still being used (although I don't think this is it's original)

2009-06-01T21:40:00.001+12:00

Nice green front twin set of Coloral bottles, with printed rather than the normal pressed details on underside.

Same size stopper as normal bottle.

A very attractive narrow sized Coloral bottle that twists out of it's unique front mount holder.One of my favorites.

2009-05-31T18:19:00.001+12:00

Brain 'Happy' Howlett at the 1949 Empire games trails, sporting a similar bottle/food canister set as pictured below.

I am pretty sure this is the earliest Coloral set I have, they came from Lyn Parris who was NZ road champion in 1956, he was using these bottles in the late 40's.
The details on the bottom of the bottle and canister have a CPL logo that I haven't seen on later Coloral bottles.

Coloral thermos flask, used by Russell Robinson during the cold winter months of training in the Waikato during the mid 1950's.
This is the same size as the normal Coloral bidons, and are made for the same cages.

Bidons, Water bottles & Flasks.
these are some of my favorite things.....

Well I'm not sure I can tell you to much about these bottles, as far as production dates and time lines etc.So if anyone has some good information let me know.
Anyway I will start off with my Coloral collection,I guess these would have to be considered this quintessential 1940's-early 60's British alloy bottle (therefore the most commonly seen in New Zealand). No pre 60's British lightweight should be without one or two.

Well

Comet Cycles

2009-05-30T22:33:00.002+12:00

Neil Ritchie Melbourne Olympics 1956

Brian 'Happy' Howlett NZ Olympic trails 1956

Ads from New Zealand Cycling Review magazine November 1950

Period Comet ads and photos

2009-05-30T21:20:00.002+12:00

Neil Ritchie's 1956 Olympic track bike

This bike was made and given to Neil Ritchie especially to take to the 1956 Melbourne Olympic games by Slater Hayes, who also made one for Don Eagle ( this bike unfortunately has been thrown out).

The bike features hand done/stencil lettering on the down tube which looks real cool.

Specs
Cranks Williams
Pedals Phillips
Chainwheel Williams
Hubs FB (oil no grease)
Rims Fiamme sprints
Stem ATP
Saddle Brooks sprint

2009-05-30T20:29:00.002+12:00

The comet road bike in the photos below is one I got from Christchurch a while back. It was a bit of a wreck, but you know how it is, I could see through the 20 or 30 years of neglect oil dust and rust to the beauty underneath etc.
So I strapped it on the back of the car with the rest of the South Island bike haul (that's another story), and brought it back up North to it's spiritual home,at lest that was the spin I was starting to put on it for myself, once I had realized how far gone it really was....

It didn't have much of it's original equipment remaining, so I decided to build it up with a Sturmey Archer FM 4 speed I had laced up (with the help of Rob from The Hub in Hastings), but had sat unused in the black hole sometimes referred to as my garage for that past year.

Anyway after being rechromed and a few coats of a nice mismatch two pack paint from the local automotive paint supplier ( a good way to get some nice colours at a pretty good price) I put it all together in the bike in the photos.

It is a good ride, nice and smooth with its fairly long wheel base.However I have had some trouble with the SA hub slipping, so I will take it to SA guru Jim Buger up in Auckland next time I am up there.

2009-05-30T09:44:00.002+12:00

This particular way of doing the half wrap seat stays is a Comet/Slater Hayes signature.
Serial number is located just behind.

1958 Comet
Specs:
Cranks BSA flutted
Chain wheel BSA
Pedals Chater Lea sprint
Sturmey Archer FM 4 speed hub
Front Hub BSA high flange
Rims Wiemann
Brakes GB Super Hood Courier
Stem GB 531

COMET CYCLES
1937-1996

Comet cycles was one of Aucklands most established bike shops, and also a builder of fine racing frames.Comet was started in 1937 by Slater Hayes and Bull (first name unknown).

Bull sold his share to Slater upon his return from active duty in 1945. The shop was situated in Aucklands K'rd until about 1970, when under the management of Slater's son Jacky Hayes, the shop was moved to Grey Lynn, finally closing down in 1997.

Slater Hayes had been a pretty successful cash (pro) rider himself during the late 1920's to late 40's,winning the New Zealand road championship title in the mid 30's,riding a Leader Special which will be featured on this blog shortly.

Slater had learned the bike trade and cycle construction while working for one of Auckland's other well known cycle traders, Clarkes Cycles during the 1920's-mid 30's.
Clarkes were builders of the famous Leader Superb and later Leader Special racing frames.

Just prior to WW2 and until 1949 Comet had also in it's service one Doug Hills, who went on (taking the Comet secretary Nora with him) to start Auckland's most important cycle shop of the late 1950's- 70's Hills Cycle Works, more about this shop later.

Comet racing frames were, although not pretty in the English lightweight sense, were light and robust more in keeping with French racing bike design. Comet signatures are the half wrap seat stay (with a few file marks),Simplex rear drop outs on nearly all rear derailleur bikes during the 1950's,serial numbers on the rear seat cluster,usually three to four didgits.
All of the later 1950's bikes that I have seen are 531 Reynolds butted tubes with Nervex lugs.

Right here we go. This blog is all about my personal obsession with vintage and classic racing bikes, memorabilia and New Zealand cycle history in general from about 1945-85.

It will also be a sort of journal following my endeavors to get a book about New Zealands great six day road race published.The book is called 'Wolves of the road', 'The Wisemans and Dulux six day road race 1953 to 1985.
So stay tuned.