DonSchwann
Active Member
- Location
- North West
Yes, that's an Ian May @sitting bull and a beauty at that!
Ian May cycles
- Thread starter Scilly Suffolk
- Start date
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DonSchwann
Active Member
- Location
- North West
For all Ian May fans who also use the Retrobike forum, my gorgeous blue Ian May needs your votes in the Road Bike of the Month comp... 
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
its had mineFor all Ian May fans who also use the Retrobike forum, my gorgeous blue Ian May needs your votes in the Road Bike of the Month comp...
DonSchwann
Active Member
- Location
- North West
Thanks biggs682
DonSchwann
Active Member
- Location
- North West
I meant to write this up as something special in tribute of Ian May (together with some other bits I've found), but haven't found the time.
So, for all who are interested in Ian May, here is the information I received from Steve Glover, who knew him well (information is also on the In Appreciation of Merseyside Bikes Facebook page):
I can assure you he built frames and painted them at the Bebington Road address. His shot blaster was in the outbuilding behind the shop.
I only knew Ian for the final 2 years of his life - but as far as I recall he opened the shop in Bebington in 1980 with the help of his family. He did race as an amateur (3rd cat I believe) and he did raise his local profile by sponsoring local clubs and riders.
He did build a lot of frames himself - however he did also put his name on built bikes and frames, I recall seeing Simoncini stock when I took the shop on.
The shop was your typical old school bike shop - where the bell rang as you entered and Ian would step out from the workshop in the back with oily hands. When I was there his stock and the shop as a whole was a bit run down. The stock was mainly kids bikes and old cheap racers and town bikes and bits of old stock he had picked up along the way - but I know in the past he had a good reputation for his frames, custom built bikes and wheelbuilding. He always smiled and said "Lloydy (Dave Llloyd) had 2 shops come and go on the same row of shops in Bebington - yet Ians shop was still there"
As I said he was a gentleman, hard working and caring and died in the shop unaware of his illness (I was with him the previous week).
Thanks Steve for providing this information!
So, for all who are interested in Ian May, here is the information I received from Steve Glover, who knew him well (information is also on the In Appreciation of Merseyside Bikes Facebook page):
I can assure you he built frames and painted them at the Bebington Road address. His shot blaster was in the outbuilding behind the shop.
I only knew Ian for the final 2 years of his life - but as far as I recall he opened the shop in Bebington in 1980 with the help of his family. He did race as an amateur (3rd cat I believe) and he did raise his local profile by sponsoring local clubs and riders.
He did build a lot of frames himself - however he did also put his name on built bikes and frames, I recall seeing Simoncini stock when I took the shop on.
The shop was your typical old school bike shop - where the bell rang as you entered and Ian would step out from the workshop in the back with oily hands. When I was there his stock and the shop as a whole was a bit run down. The stock was mainly kids bikes and old cheap racers and town bikes and bits of old stock he had picked up along the way - but I know in the past he had a good reputation for his frames, custom built bikes and wheelbuilding. He always smiled and said "Lloydy (Dave Llloyd) had 2 shops come and go on the same row of shops in Bebington - yet Ians shop was still there"
As I said he was a gentleman, hard working and caring and died in the shop unaware of his illness (I was with him the previous week).
Thanks Steve for providing this information!
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
a lot of fresh info came our way on Sunday 10/01/15 i have just posted it on my blog https://biggs682.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/ian-may-cycles-update/
if anybody is interested
if anybody is interested
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
you have to be quick in this world
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ian-May-R...Domain_3&hash=item4d30f3d771&autorefresh=true
the above was listed and an hour later add ended
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ian-May-R...Domain_3&hash=item4d30f3d771&autorefresh=true
the above was listed and an hour later add ended
DonSchwann
Active Member
- Location
- North West
you have to be quick in this world
Quickness isn't enough. But it helps.
Nice Ian May frame, that.
Quickness isn't enough. But it helps.
Nice Ian May frame, that.
IncoherentJeff
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Gtr. Manchester
D'oH! There was a 23 inch red Ian May in Wrexham on Preloved for £80 but I was just beaten to it. Oh well it was probably a touch too big for me anyway.
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/list/3523/bicycles.html
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/list/3523/bicycles.html
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
link doesnt bring just one advert up , @IncoherentJeff thats thwe way it goes there are bargains to be had iits just about right time right place
sittingbull
Veteran
- Location
- South Liverpool
I find this all the time. In decades gone by the average cyclist must have been shorter yet so many vintage frames are BIG.
DonSchwann
Active Member
- Location
- North West
common as muck, these Ian Mays 
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
the buyer has been in touch with via my facebok page , i have told him to visit cyclechat so should see some pics soon @DonSchwann
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
gareth01244
Veteran
- Location
- chester
Hi, my names Gareth, I'm the guy who bought the Ian May from the Preloved advert mentioned above. I saw it a couple of weeks ago while browsing for parts for a couple of Raleigh 3 speeds I have. I had it in the back of my mind that I would like to buy an old road bike but didn't know much about them or indeed what model or make to look out for. When I saw the name on the frame curiosity got the better of me and I googled it for more info which led me to this site and this forum post. I live not far from the Wirral so it was enough of a connection( along with the comments on this forum) to make me enquire and eventually buy it. I have taken some camera phone images and will try and upload them for you all to see as I could do with some advice? I don't want to re spray the frame even though it has a few marks etc as I like the look of it as it sits, the wheels are mismatched, the rear is the original but is slightly out of true, the front is a Mavic sup rim I'm guessing from the 90s. not sure on how to proceed, find another Mavic rim and use the old hub or buy a new wheelset either new or 2nd hand( any thoughts on make etc?) I also want to replace the saddle as the previous owner fitted a replacement but its damaged, are there any new saddles out there apart from the likes of the Selle turbo that look like they would suit an 80s bike or should I look for an old one? the seat post is Promax branded and again I think its not original spec. The brake callipers and levers as well as gear set are campag but I have no idea of what model they might be as there doesn't appear to be any way of identifying them. Any way I have rambled on enough but would love to hear peoples thoughts on getting it roadworthy again.
