L H Brookes Dolomite Super Tourer

Here we have a extremely rare fillet brazed

1950 L H Brookes Cycles Dolomite Super Tourer.

The machine seems at first glance, well underwhelming,

really rather staid, however dig just a little deeper and

you will be very well rewarded.

As you will see, there is a lot more going on than 

first meets the eye.

Unfortunately there is no real information

that I can find on this builder, just this...

Lesley Harrop Brookes was the owner of two shops in 

greater Manchester area...that is it.

I will contact the Veteran Cycle Club and see if

I can't glean some info from the members.

BTW,  if you are you are passionate about classic or 

vintage bikes should consider joining, it is a
fantastic club, and their magazine is a great read.

So let me unpack this really interesting machine for you.

The name is the first clue, Super Tourer, this explains the 

long racked front forks, full guards and lamp bracket.

Looking at the cockpit, you will notice the Reynolds twin bolt

stem with alloy bars, I haven't found a makers mark yet,

but I suspect they are Stratlite or GB.

 You might then notice the Hiduminium GB brake calipers.

Further down the front end, Chater Lea Lamp bracket

and lamp boss.

Beautiful Chater Lea high flange hub laced to a rare 26"

Alumlite rims.

 Then if you move on to the drive train, more treats await.

Chater Lea double fluted cranks with Chater Lea ring, 

running on a Bayliss Wiley No.15 hollow axle.

 Then comes one of the really very special components,

well for me anyway, Hobbs alloy pedals.

This is the first pair I have come across, and I can

see now, why they are so sought after.

I haven't actually weighed them yet, but they feel

like the lightest pedals I have dealt with.

Nice alloy saddle bag support.

Bluemel guards of course.

Then at the heart of the bike, a real surprise, a 1950

Sturmey Archer FC Close ratio four speed hub.
This FC hub was marketed at the 'massed start set' 
a set which this bike is most defiantly not part of.

Why a FM medium ratio hasn't been used I don't know.

It would have made a lot more sense I would have thought, 
for a fast day touring bike like this.
I guess the original owner wanted a really fast tourer!

So there you have it, really quite an extraordinary

British lightweight, not like any other that has come through my 

doors anyway. 
This Dolomite was obviously built with no expense spared.