Spokesmann
Keeping the Carlton and Sun names alive...
- Location
- Plymouth, Devon
This was a build I have been working on and off with for the last few months. Apologies in advance for the number of images.
I bought this machine as part of a group of three Carlton machines from Jerry Mortimore, a good friend and the former Admin on the old Carlton Cycles website. The three bikes I bought were the last ones Jerry had as part of his once huge collection of Carlton bikes. Due to health reasons he cannot ride pedal cycles now.
The machine here is a 1971 International, which only appeared in the 1971 Carlton catalogue and could also be bought in a fetching royal blue with red and white contrasts. This machine is in the more familiar and striking white finish. When I carted this bike back along with the two others it was in prices, all the parts were present but it needed a complete refurbishment, as the frame was very tired. I decided to have this bike refinished and had the work done by Catherine at Dave Marsh' s Universal Cycle Centre in Maltby. Catherine has done a great job on it and applied the new Imichrome decals I supplied. The overall affect is quite eye catching. I've mostly used the original parts, save for a better Brooks B5N saddle and the correct steel wheels with large flange Normandy hubs. The Williams chainwheel was swopped for an identical near-NOS item I scored on Ebay. New red cables and green cloth bar tape along with original Bluemels Club Special guards complete the 'look'.
Spec:
22-1/2" Truwel frame with Bocama-type lugs, Vagner fork crown, wrap over seat stays, chrome fork tips finished in 'International colours' of white, red and green. Imichrome decals. 27 x 1-1/4" wheels with steel rims and Large flange alloy hubs (Normandy/Shimano) on solid axles with Gripfast and Huret wing nuts. 5-speed gears, 22-13 rear sprocket with 49 tooth Williams chainwheel. Huret Svelto rear mech. KMC 3/32" chain. Alloy MKS Sylvan pedals with Zefal med toe clips and red Christophe straps. Brooks B5N leather saddle on 25.4mm steel seat post. Alloy AVA stem with alloy Brampton bars, Weinmann brake levers with Carlton white hoods. Green Velox cloth bar tape. Weimann 999 'Vainquer' centre pull brakes using Jagwire cables and smooth red outers. Black Bluemels Club Special mudguards, Matex Tourmeter and Carradice Cadet saddle bag.
A few before shots, after clean down with detergent, the frame was very oily.
I bought this machine as part of a group of three Carlton machines from Jerry Mortimore, a good friend and the former Admin on the old Carlton Cycles website. The three bikes I bought were the last ones Jerry had as part of his once huge collection of Carlton bikes. Due to health reasons he cannot ride pedal cycles now.
The machine here is a 1971 International, which only appeared in the 1971 Carlton catalogue and could also be bought in a fetching royal blue with red and white contrasts. This machine is in the more familiar and striking white finish. When I carted this bike back along with the two others it was in prices, all the parts were present but it needed a complete refurbishment, as the frame was very tired. I decided to have this bike refinished and had the work done by Catherine at Dave Marsh' s Universal Cycle Centre in Maltby. Catherine has done a great job on it and applied the new Imichrome decals I supplied. The overall affect is quite eye catching. I've mostly used the original parts, save for a better Brooks B5N saddle and the correct steel wheels with large flange Normandy hubs. The Williams chainwheel was swopped for an identical near-NOS item I scored on Ebay. New red cables and green cloth bar tape along with original Bluemels Club Special guards complete the 'look'.
Spec:
22-1/2" Truwel frame with Bocama-type lugs, Vagner fork crown, wrap over seat stays, chrome fork tips finished in 'International colours' of white, red and green. Imichrome decals. 27 x 1-1/4" wheels with steel rims and Large flange alloy hubs (Normandy/Shimano) on solid axles with Gripfast and Huret wing nuts. 5-speed gears, 22-13 rear sprocket with 49 tooth Williams chainwheel. Huret Svelto rear mech. KMC 3/32" chain. Alloy MKS Sylvan pedals with Zefal med toe clips and red Christophe straps. Brooks B5N leather saddle on 25.4mm steel seat post. Alloy AVA stem with alloy Brampton bars, Weinmann brake levers with Carlton white hoods. Green Velox cloth bar tape. Weimann 999 'Vainquer' centre pull brakes using Jagwire cables and smooth red outers. Black Bluemels Club Special mudguards, Matex Tourmeter and Carradice Cadet saddle bag.
A few before shots, after clean down with detergent, the frame was very oily.