A bit of an update ! I have been busy removing some parts and have tried to tackle the rust on the chrome. Some parts have cleaned up quite well whilst others are quite badly pitted and peeling.
What I have discovered is that it is handy having a tandem that breaks down into smaller bits as it is a bit like working on two bikes at the same time. I tried to limit my work to one section at a time. The cotter pins on the cranks were seized in and required a bit of heat from a blow torch before they would move. Once off I could brush on some rust removing gel to clean up the pedals, crank and chain rings.
In my research I discovered a catalogue from 1955/6 on the Veteran-Cycle Club web site. It shows a picture of how the tandem looked in both tandem and single cycle mode, stating that it could be ridden as a single in the week and as a tandem at the weekends. The catalogue also makes a point of featuring the new style chromed head badge. The standard colour was flamboyant magenta and the price was £37 19s 6d. For an extra £1 0s 0d you could choose an alternative colour option from their list. In my effort to try to establish when the Convertible first appeared I looked at a 1948 catalogue in which they offered a tandem but it was a normal one in either two crossbar or lady back versions and the colour was black, there was no mention of a Convertible.
After cleaning up the front section chromed parts I set about removing the rear cranks. These were just as seized as the fronts. I wanted to remove these cranks as the frame had been damaged when somebody fitted a prop stand and crushed the tubes. Once removed I could gain access to the damage although space is a bit limited and there are some awkward dents. I will think about what to do next.
