A bit of a blast from the past...
I pretty sure this bike has a destiny wished upon it by one of the contributors to this thread (yes SSS I'm looking at you
)
Due to an influx of components into the workshop and swapping bits with others in the fleet, the components on this frame have taken a 10 year or more leap into the past back to about 1962. Only about 5 or so years after I think the frame was built.
It is now equipped as follows
Bayliss 1/8" 4 speed freehub
Normandy alloy front hub
27" Weinmann rims
Stronglight alloy 49D 50/40 chainset (165mm)
Suntour first model 'Competition' rear derailleur
Lyotard Steel/Alloy touring pedals
Suntour first generation D/T levers
Suntour Ax front derailleur (more later about this)
Reynolds steel stem
Birmalux alloy bars
GB brake levers
GB Courier brakes
The out-of-period Ax front derailleur has been used as all the period front derailleurs I own interfere with the angle-mounted pump on the left quarter of the seat tube. The Ax has a short actuator arm that clears the pump and so I have used that. Possible an indication this bike originally had only a single ring at the front or a manual changer. The bike also has a very low bottom bracket, thus the 165mm Stronglights. Anything longer mashed clips on startup and made cornering 'interesting'. Probably had 6 1/2" steel Williams originally.
The setup is very light and the bike rides wonderfully. Even the gears change well which with non-derailleur 1/8" chain I was not expecting. Just need to put some decent brake pads on the front to stop the squealing! Also might look for some period lighting.
Richard