Pretty much all the bikes I've worked on from that era have had Huret derailleurs. The Suntour one was such a leap in quality. It just felt so much nicer, and I was surprised to find that I needed allen keys to fit/unfit it, which was very swish. Back in those days I don't think I ever wielded an allen key - it was all spanners and screwdrivers.
Have you found a number on you Majestic? If so, where?I've been busy looking for a project or two; there's a Raleigh Sirocco frame on its way to me, to use up some bits I have sitting around from the Mercian conversion, so all I need is a saddle, stem and bars. Also I've just this morning picked up a Claud Butler majestic from a v.nice chap in Gloucester who had a small collection of tourers including a Super Galaxy and an extremely nice 50's Rotrax (unfortunately not for sale). When he said he'd got all kinds of stuff I asked "what sort of stuff? Handlebars?" He then led me to his shed where he rummaged around and found a Raleigh stem and bars, which he threw in as well, so job's a good'un!
Anyway here's a pic of the Majestic; I'd describe its condition as well-used but well-looked after. It's had a change of colour at some point in its life and the seat's tatty but otherwise everything looks pretty original. I've started cleaning it but it was a bit wet out today. Haven't even sat on it yet though - it's got a couple of loose spokes on the back so didn't want to risk it (being on the large side and all). Oh, and some decals and a head badge wouldn't go amiss just to give it back its identity!
edit: those wasp nest things (actually lanterns) are not attached but just behind it
Thank you.
and or hubs and brake calipers for stampings if originals
Though I'm blowed if I can find a date stamp on these "sanshin" wheels!
Can't see anything on BB, but will investigate elsewhere!
Looks nice. What gear range do you have?Well the bike had a thorough shakedown in sunny(ish) Wales, took it on a couple of longish runs, got stung by a wasp on one and the partner got bitten by a dog on another!
Not sure whether I'm happy to forgo the sheer theatre of a race bike for the comfort of a tourer, though my partner liked the fact she could keep up better; if this was gonna be a keeper I'd defo have to give it some lower gears cos I really struggled up hills (even more than normal).
Here's the obligatory bike porn:
It's 28 rear and can't remember what the small one is on the front - 36 or something equally strange. I don't think it's just gearing though; I find that because I'm a bit slower on this bike I'm hitting low gear a lot sooner than on one of my racers. I think I could squeeze a 34 on the back but I'd probably want to add an extra gear or two as well to make it more useable (as a tourer that is, it's fine as it is for commuting).
My 5 speed cassette is 14-28, with a 48-36 on the front. It will be interesting to see how I get in with it. Not too hilly around here, so we shall see. Need to get used to down-tube shifters again!!
Tell me about it! I constantly find myself in too low a gear pedalling furiously, or grinding away wrecking my knees because you definitely change a lot less - you think "that'll do"
