Say hello to my new best friend :D

[shadaboot27]

So since I decided to start a bicycle collection again recently, after foolishly selling off my last one, I came across this work of art, which is in amazing condition for age so I just had to have it!

It's a 1952 Rudge Pathfinder

Specs:

23'' frame made of Reynolds 531 tubing
4 speed alloy Sturmey Archer hub
Brooks saddle
Celluloid mudguards with no damage
Fluted cranks
Wing nuts
Rat trap pedals
27 x 1 1/4 wheels

As you can see its in amazing condition, all the decals and paint are great, all the chrome is great. All it needs is tyres, tubes and a gear lever and a good clean then it will be good to go. the lamps and dynamo will be removed as i suspect they are 60's add on's. I am having the bike couriered, I really hope it gets here in one piece with no damage.

 

[robsa]

Oh you bugger, id love that!

 

[Racing roadkill]

I like to have a retro ride, but they can be a sod, as far as spares go. You can find bits ( usually on auction sites, or forums ), but the variability of quality can be a ball ache.

 

[shadaboot27]

I like to have a retro ride, but they can be a sod, as far as spares go. You can find bits ( usually on auction sites, or forums ), but the variability of quality can be a ball ache.

I sell vintage bike parts for a living so I have no trouble at all getting parts I need

 

[Racing roadkill]

I sell vintage bike parts for a living so I have no trouble at all getting parts I need

Fair play to you

 

[Daddybus]

What a fantastic machine ...nice Xmas present to yourself! I agree wholeheartedly about the rim dyno (the wires really detract from the over all look) front dynohub might be a nice alternative (if you need lights)...I think I'd just ride round in the day so everyone could see me lol

 

[shadaboot27]

Yeah i've never really liked the heavy clunky dynamos with all the wires. I much prefer racing bikes with no lights to be honest. I'm not really a fan of the dyno hubs either as they are so heavy. I did once convert one of these lamps to run on AA batteries so there was no wires at all the batteries were inside the light and the original switch worked to turn them on and off.

 

[biggs682]

@shadaboot27 that looks fantastic

 

[shadaboot27]

Does anyone know what kind of grips/bar tape this is? I want to try get some as close to originals as possible.

 

[stevevw]

Does anyone know what kind of grips/bar tape this is? I want to try get some as close to originals as possible.

They are the same as the Lenton, silver grey rubber. I have never seen a pair for sale, but modern track grips may be close enough?

 

[shadaboot27]

They are the same as the Lenton, silver grey rubber. I have never seen a pair for sale, but modern track grips may be close enough?

Any idea what make they would be? Shockstops? Or John Bull possibly?

 

[stevevw]

In the Brown Brothers 1952 bible non of the grips listed come in silver grey so perhaps Raleigh made or had made their own?

 

[shadaboot27]

In the Brown Brothers 1952 bible non of the grips listed come in silver grey so perhaps Raleigh made or had made their own?

Yeah, it's probably going to be impossible to find genuine replacements so I think i will go for something like this, just plain thin bar tape. I'm not sure what kind of tape this is though?

 

[stevevw]

Looks like Velox cloth tape to me. http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BTVXTRES/velox-tressostar-cloth-bar-tape
The American company Newbaums do a nice silver grey http://www.newbaums.com/

 

[shadaboot27]

Looks like Velox cloth tape to me. http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BTVXTRES/velox-tressostar-cloth-bar-tape
The American company Newbaums do a nice silver grey http://www.newbaums.com/

Great, thanks for the links, I think I'll be getting some of that.