1973 Mercian King of Mercia

[Rhythm Thief]

My main bike, bought a few years ago as an anonymous ("possibly 531") rattle can paint job frameset for fifty quid in order to rob the forks off it for another project. When it arrived I spotted that there was a Campagnolo Record headset fitted, and when I stripped the forks off it I found matching numbers on BB shell and steerer tube. There was also a receipt for a respray rolled up inside the seat tube. The lugwork was also of obvious quality, so I ditched my plans to nick the forks for a much inferior frame and researched this bike instead. It took a while but I narrowed it down to possibly being a Mercian, and when I sent it to them for a respray they confirmed it. I spent a bloody fortune on having some braze ons added and a refin and built it up with Campagnolo 9 speed and a Schmidt hub dynamo. It's my main bike, and it's pictured here immediately after a heavy general overhaul and a good clean; it's not usually as immaculate as this! This is the one I'd keep if I could only have one.

 

[All uphill]

My main bike, bought a few years ago as an anonymous ("possibly 531") rattle can paint job frameset for fifty quid in order to rob the forks off it for another project. When it arrived I spotted that there was a Campagnolo Record headset fitted, and when I stripped the forks off it I found matching numbers on BB shell and steerer tube. There was also a receipt for a respray rolled up inside the seat tube. The lugwork was also of obvious quality, so I ditched my plans to nick the forks for a much inferior frame and researched this bike instead. It took a while but I narrowed it down to possibly being a Mercian, and when I sent it to them for a respray they confirmed it. I spent a bloody fortune on having some braze ons added and a refin and built it up with Campagnolo 9 speed and a Schmidt hub dynamo. It's my main bike, and it's pictured here immediately after a heavy general overhaul and a good clean; it's not usually as immaculate as this! This is the one I'd keep if I could only have one.

View attachment 740283

View attachment 740282

I like everything about your bike.

If I found one like that in my size i'd have to buy it.

 

[EltonFrog]

I recognise those barrels, there was a blinged up Dawes Kingpin in front of them last time I saw them.

 

[biggs682]

@Rhythm Thief nice colour choice

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I recognise those barrels, there was a blinged up Dawes Kingpin in front of them last time I saw them.

Both pics taken at work after my commute.

 

[raleighnut]

Very nice

 

[Jotheboat]

That's a beauty, and quite a pump too!

 

[FrankCrank]

I recognise those barrels, there was a blinged up Dawes Kingpin in front of them last time I saw them.

Shoutout to Mr. Frog for another pic of the famous Blingpin

 

[Gillstay]

Very nice. Impressed.

 

[funk2monk]

Very nice indeed.

 

[Jameshow]

My main bike, bought a few years ago as an anonymous ("possibly 531") rattle can paint job frameset for fifty quid in order to rob the forks off it for another project. When it arrived I spotted that there was a Campagnolo Record headset fitted, and when I stripped the forks off it I found matching numbers on BB shell and steerer tube. There was also a receipt for a respray rolled up inside the seat tube. The lugwork was also of obvious quality, so I ditched my plans to nick the forks for a much inferior frame and researched this bike instead. It took a while but I narrowed it down to possibly being a Mercian, and when I sent it to them for a respray they confirmed it. I spent a bloody fortune on having some braze ons added and a refin and built it up with Campagnolo 9 speed and a Schmidt hub dynamo. It's my main bike, and it's pictured here immediately after a heavy general overhaul and a good clean; it's not usually as immaculate as this! This is the one I'd keep if I could only have one.

View attachment 740283

View attachment 740282

What a catch! For 10 pints of beers!!