Chas F. Hill

[mh503]

Just picked this up yesterday and was wondering if anyone here might know anything about the builder. Very hard to find anything online though "CF" and "Hill" aren't the easiest terms to filter through on bike forums. I did find one post on the C&V board:

"C.F. Hill on Kent Road in London made similar looking frames. I sold the one from the 60’s I bought as NOS when that shop was closing in 1973. Their frames are an illustration of the difficulty of finding the builder. Even though they were located in London none of the Classic Rendezvous crowd had even heard of them."

Seat post size is 27.2, frame is 22.5", I'm in the states but the seller got it 8-9 years ago and didn't know the history of it.

More photos here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/GmeZSQuGxWoiypgN6

 

[biggs682]

That's a nice looking bit of steel

 

[otherself]

looks nothing to do with the other Hill's; they were brothers from Lancashire.
https://hill-special.co.uk/history/

 

[Shaun U]

That is a very nice example of a classic looking British racing bike build. I cannot tell you very much regards the builder other than after the war the Old Kent Road was host to several small frame builders; Saxon and P. Neete being two examples. Should you ever decide to sell it on please bear me in mind, I had the opportunity of acquiring a C F Hill frame some years ago but it was sadly too small. Shaun U

 

[Shaun U]

Just picked this up yesterday and was wondering if anyone here might know anything about the builder. Very hard to find anything online though "CF" and "Hill" aren't the easiest terms to filter through on bike forums. I did find one post on the C&V board:

"C.F. Hill on Kent Road in London made similar looking frames. I sold the one from the 60’s I bought as NOS when that shop was closing in 1973. Their frames are an illustration of the difficulty of finding the builder. Even though they were located in London none of the Classic Rendezvous crowd had even heard of them."

Seat post size is 27.2, frame is 22.5", I'm in the states but the seller got it 8-9 years ago and didn't know the history of it.

More photos here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/GmeZSQuGxWoiypgN6

View attachment 710626

View attachment 710627

Hi, did you ever get to build this up? It looks terrific. Shaun

 

[mh503]

Hi, did you ever get to build this up? It looks terrific. Shaun

Thank you, I have not built it up yet but hope to work on it this winter. I also have an Uppadine frame of similar vintage and haven't decided which to start first and what direction to take. I was thinking of doing one up with period Campy and one in period British components (I have Benelux derailleurs and shifters, GB brakes and stem, would just need to get a crankset and other odds and ends).

I also came across one other mention of a CF Hill bike here - https://darrenmoore.co.uk/2017/01/amazing-chaz-f-hill-bike/

I haven't been able to find his contact info in order to see what he ended up doing with it, maybe you'd have more luck? I'm not super attached to the bike and would be willing to sell it but I am in the states, and I imagine shipping costs would make it difficult.

 

[Shaun U]

Thank you, I have not built it up yet but hope to work on it this winter. I also have an Uppadine frame of similar vintage and haven't decided which to start first and what direction to take. I was thinking of doing one up with period Campy and one in period British components (I have Benelux derailleurs and shifters, GB brakes and stem, would just need to get a crankset and other odds and ends).

I also came across one other mention of a CF Hill bike here - https://darrenmoore.co.uk/2017/01/amazing-chaz-f-hill-bike/

I haven't been able to find his contact info in order to see what he ended up doing with it, maybe you'd have more luck? I'm not super attached to the bike and would be willing to sell it but I am in the states, and I imagine shipping costs would make it difficult.

Thanks very much for getting back, I wondered if you were an ex pat Brit? I did have a nice Uppadine frame once but stalled over finding any replacement decals - H. Lloyds Decals over here now do them which might be useful if you ever need any. I just had a look at the other C F Hill you mentioned but it looks quite big, the head tube depth suggests over 23" - I ride anything between 22" and 23" max; got the impression yours was 22 - 22.5". Likewise I'm unsure about the logistics of shipping a frame here but it can't be too difficult, cost I guess might be the factor. If you could sell it I would most definitely be interested. I'm currently restoring and renovating another old London marque, an A. Walkling of Merton which I've got running as a post on this site under Reader's Bikes. Just about to try fitting the wheels.
All the best,
Shaun

 

[mh503]

Not an ex-pat, I just pick up obscure marques when I see them. The guy I bought the Uppadine from said it was his first purchase on eBay 20 years ago, bought from a UK seller and had it shipped. The CF Hill I have no idea, bought it from a bike shop and the guy there didn't remember how they came across it. Probably been hanging from the rafters for decades.

Doing a quick check on shipping with generic dimensions and it looks like it'd be ~$320 for shipping and I'd probably just ask for what I paid for the frame, which was $100. Send me a message if this is something you'd be willing to pursue and we can discuss further, no rush as I have other projects needing attention in the meantime so the frame will be waiting in the attic for a bit.

 

[Shaun U]

Just picked this up yesterday and was wondering if anyone here might know anything about the builder. Very hard to find anything online though "CF" and "Hill" aren't the easiest terms to filter through on bike forums. I did find one post on the C&V board:

"C.F. Hill on Kent Road in London made similar looking frames. I sold the one from the 60’s I bought as NOS when that shop was closing in 1973. Their frames are an illustration of the difficulty of finding the builder. Even though they were located in London none of the Classic Rendezvous crowd had even heard of them."

Seat post size is 27.2, frame is 22.5", I'm in the states but the seller got it 8-9 years ago and didn't know the history of it.

More photos here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/GmeZSQuGxWoiypgN6

View attachment 710626

View attachment 710627

Morning, I wondered if it might be easier to message me via email shaun.tanglin@sky.com and chat further regarding the frame.
Thanks, Shaun.

 

[Poacher]

@Shaun U , maybe not a good idea to publish your personal email on a publicly viewable forum - you're opening yourself up to an avalanche of unwanted communication.

 

[Shaun U]

@Shaun U , maybe not a good idea to publish your personal email on a publicly viewable forum - you're opening yourself up to an avalanche of unwanted communication.

You're probably right, I'll see how I can sort that out, thanks.

 

[Smokin Joe]

@Shaun U , maybe not a good idea to publish your personal email on a publicly viewable forum - you're opening yourself up to an avalanche of unwanted communication.

Too late, I've already passed his email to www.hotchickslookingforfuninyourarea.com

 

[T4tomo]

You're probably right, I'll see how I can sort that out, thanks.

click the edit button and remove you email address, although your probably already signed up to a tsunami of porn by now....