Dunbar
Über Member
- Location
- West Midlands
I am 81 years old now. In 1965 I bought my present bike, from Frank Dyke's shop in Winson Green, Birmingham. He told me the frame was a Major Nichols frame. Research leads me to believe it might not be, but it is certainly in his 'style'. I can't see why Frank Dyke would give me a line, because for one thing, Major's shop was just a couple of miles away, and I could have checked had I felt the need. However I had no reason to suspect the frame wasn't a Nichols. It is a nice frame, but it could be a bit whippy when I had a full bag of carpenters' tools behind me!! But aside from that the bike has taken me for miles.
I did make an appointment to see Major, to seek a repaint, but he wasn't too keen. He had suffered a break-in at his shop and he was a bit gutted over that. When I told him I had also been in the RN, he cheered up, changed his mind, and asked me to take the bike to him. Sadly though, he became ill shortly afterwards, and I never got around to that.
Now, with two artificial knees, and a recent bout of cellulitis, I don't think I will ever ride again.
Someone might fancy this lightweight, so when this lock-down is over I shall probably get it running again, and make it 'sale-worthy'.
As a result I am thinking about a new gear-set altogether, and while Shimano might seem a good bet, for authenticity it should be Huret (can you still buy those?} Otherwise a Campagnolo set would be of the right vintage.
Hope this is an interesting bit of nostalgia.
John
I did make an appointment to see Major, to seek a repaint, but he wasn't too keen. He had suffered a break-in at his shop and he was a bit gutted over that. When I told him I had also been in the RN, he cheered up, changed his mind, and asked me to take the bike to him. Sadly though, he became ill shortly afterwards, and I never got around to that.
Now, with two artificial knees, and a recent bout of cellulitis, I don't think I will ever ride again.
Someone might fancy this lightweight, so when this lock-down is over I shall probably get it running again, and make it 'sale-worthy'.
As a result I am thinking about a new gear-set altogether, and while Shimano might seem a good bet, for authenticity it should be Huret (can you still buy those?} Otherwise a Campagnolo set would be of the right vintage.
Hope this is an interesting bit of nostalgia.
John