Ian May cycles

[biggs682]

just entered Ian May the 1st in the Retrobike of te month some glorious machines on ther and i love that Pollard but then i am biased as i have one

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=301536&p=2262877#p2262877

 

[DonSchwann]

Well you have one vote on RB! I hope the Ian May does well… it's a worthy RBotM.

 

[biggs682]

Well you have one vote on RB! I hope the Ian May does well… it's a worthy RBotM.

2 at moment

 

[DonSchwann]

Hey look! A Raleigh is winning… Only on Retrobike!

Hope yours wins through, @biggs682

Here's another (pre white Rolls saddle) shot of mine…

 

[biggs682]

@DonSchwann looks good to me

 

[biggs682]

come on fellow cc'ers please cast your vote in the Retrobike bike of the month award for my Ian May original condition bike

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=303155

 

[DonSchwann]

Done all I can @biggs682 … Good luck with the poll!

 

[DonSchwann]

A bit more research on Ian May. Apparently, he sponsored/managed? a professional cycling team in 1981 with two riders - Tony Bell and Paul Gerrard.

Tony Bell, of course, is the well-known author and journalist, contributor to Cycling Weekly until 2006, brother of National Amateur and Professional Road Race Champion Mark Bell… Paul Gerrard was also a successful track cyclist (if I've found the right Paul Gerrard), British motor paced champion in 1980/81… The plot thickens…

So did these chaps really ride for Ian? And, if so, what happened to the team?

EDIT: www.memoire-du-cyclisme.eu has "Ian May Cycles" listed as a small team (petite équipe) for 1981… so it's true. Now, how to find photos and maybe race results???

 

[sittingbull]

Here's another Ian May, belonging to my friend Ken, I've only seen it today for the first time

It's the first bike I've seen with a ""pro tag" - braze on race number holder (on the top tube).

I believe it to be in original condition with the likely exception of the saddle

 

[biggs682]

Here's another Ian May, belonging to my friend Ken, I've only seen it today for the first time

It's the first bike I've seen with a ""pro tag" - braze on race number holder (on the top tube).

I believe it to be in original condition with the likely exception of the saddle

View attachment 53659

View attachment 53660

View attachment 53661

View attachment 53662

View attachment 53663

@sittingbull that looks fantastic and the race tag confirms to a degree that there might have an Ian May race team at some point , do you know how long Ken has had that one ? i presume 700's . I presume he wont want to sell it ?

@DonSchwann have you seen this

 

[sittingbull]

I think he's had it around 5 years. It is in the same condition as when he got it.

I suspect it's mid to late 80s, probably 126mm rear spacing with what appeared to be a 7 speed cassette with lock-ring as opposed to a freewheel. Although a previous owner might have upgraded the hub and cassette.

I'm pretty sure he'll want to keep this one as it's (currently) his favourite bike to ride.

EDIT: It may be earlier than I first thought. It bears a strong resemblance to this frame belonging to Philip Osler. The decals appear the same, even down to the rear facing one on the seat tube. In that previous post the Reynolds 531 decals apparently date it to 1973-77, from my limited experience the above BB cable guides would coincide with this date. Ken's bike however has later, below BB cables.

 

[DonSchwann]

Now that's a bike I'd love to own. It's gorgeous! If Ken ever changes his mind…

I can understand why it's Ken's favourite bike to ride. It's pure class.

I'll keep looking out for Ken - hopefully one day I'll see him on his Ian May and tag along for a quick spin!

Thanks @sittingbull for posting.

 

[DonSchwann]

EDIT: It may be earlier than I first thought. It bears a strong resemblance to this frame belonging to Philip Osler. The decals appear the same, even down to the rear facing one on the seat tube. In that previous post the Reynolds 531 decals apparently date it to 1973-77, from my limited experience the above BB cable guides would coincide with this date. Ken's bike however has later, below BB cables.

I noticed too that the 531 label on the blue Philip Osler frame is mid 70s - but this confuses me… Ian May (I have on good authority from a friend of his) died in 1997 aged 37. So he would have been 20 in 1980 (and 15 in 1975). Does this mean that Ian May opened his shop straight after leaving school, or did he rebadge older frames from another quality manufacturer?

Ken's bike also gives me a good idea about what to do with a spare Ian May head badge decal I have - rear facing on the seat tube so the other poor cyclists see what's overtaken them.

 

[DonSchwann]

For all those who are interested, here's a photo of Ian May - image courtesy of Steve Glover. Thanks Steve!

 

[sittingbull]

Is he riding one of his own bikes?