Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

[find_bruce]

Hi guys,
Have a two star Malvern star with serial number 53M6447 on the seat post, can anyone give me any more information using this number?

Cheers!

Pictures will help. Here's how to post them: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23303

[Bagun101]

Hi, i have an old malvern star frame, not sure on details but it has a four digit serial number under the crank shaft bit 2778
any infor much appreciated

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kdcgvFk7HnK6GswA8

[bicyclepassion]

Hi, i have an old malvern star frame, not sure on details but it has a four digit serial number under the crank shaft bit 2778
any infor much appreciated

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kdcgvFk7HnK6GswA8

I don’t know what it is, but it’s 100% not a Malvern Star.

[Imwit]

Hi, i have an old malvern star frame, not sure on details but it has a four digit serial number under the crank shaft bit 2778
any infor much appreciated

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kdcgvFk7HnK6GswA8

I don’t know what it is, but it’s 100% not a Malvern Star.

But it’s a pretty old bike by the looks. You could maybe take a few more photos and start a thread on it to find out a bit more about it. I’ve got a bike a bit similar which I call my 1920’s bike. Dunno if that is completely accurate..

[Clydesdale Scot]

... I’ve got a bike a bit similar which I call my 1920’s bike. Dunno if that is completely accurate..

safer to call it a 20th Century bike. Few would successfully argue with that time period.

[JC986]

Hi

Any info would be great

I have a Malvern star 2star with a 4 digit s/n 2139 it also has British made stamped under the crank and CL on the front sprocket.
I’ll try and load photos

[JC986]

Hi I have what I believe is a Malvern star 2star, the S/n is 2139 on the left side rear wheel mount, it also has British made stamped under the crank,
Any info would be great

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BiFzGvEJsPDsNFUk7

[Imwit]

... I’ve got a bike a bit similar which I call my 1920’s bike. Dunno if that is completely accurate..

safer to call it a 20th Century bike. Few would successfully argue with that time period.

I'm happy to be wrong. In fact I'm pretty used to it.

Hi I have what I believe is a Malvern star 2star, the S/n is 2139 on the left side rear wheel mount, it also has British made stamped under the crank,
Any info would be great

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BiFzGvEJsPDsNFUk7

Interesting looking bike JC986. I'll leave that one to the experts.

[bicyclepassion]

Hi I have what I believe is a Malvern star 2star, the S/n is 2139 on the left side rear wheel mount, it also has British made stamped under the crank,
Any info would be great

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BiFzGvEJsPDsNFUk7

This doesn’t look like any production model I have seen. But, the two stars in open head like this one were around in 1937 and 38 Oppy race models. The forks look like ring-ins. The round section Chater-Lea cranks came out in 1948, and we’re about the most expensive thing money could buy. Have not seen many in Australia at all. I would be interested to see if there is a number on the steerer tube Of the forks. Some MUCH better photos would be handy. The serial number 2139 would put it back in the mid 1920’s, but I can assure you that it is a lot newer than that.

[Clydesdale Scot]

The Chater Lea Crankset did come out in 1948:
CL round arm by philip.knight, on Flickr


and I put a set on my Father's 1948 Spearman
Mario has a set on his 1947 Thanet Silverlight

and currently (30 June 2023) is a set on ebayUK (incorrectly described as early 1930's) at £385.00, but in very nice original chrome.

Given the value this crankset holds, and the reputation recorded at Classic Lightweights:

"For a period Chater-Lea produced these very fine round cranks, shown here with Chater-Lea pedals. The round cranks were introduced at the London Cycle Show in 1948. They were not as strong as the fluted cranks and so were not suitable for sprinting on the track. 50s riders do claim that they were prone to breakage but we have neither seen nor heard stories of failures during competitive use."

I would suggest that riders of the bike treat the cranks will due care.

Do you have more information on the history of the bike?

[WyvernRH]

This does seem an odd mix. Just a couple of suggestions (guesses really)...
The head lugs have rounded bearing holders which I've normally taken to be post WW2 and are a standard pattern, not Malvern Star lugs with the star in a circle attached to the lug. However, the rear dropouts have the holes to accommodate the stops for rear wheel 'snail' chain adjusters. I was under the impression that these died out pre WW2 but that's only my take.
As the stars are separate could this be some other sort of 'Star' make such as 'Northern Star' or whatever?
Also, that is a hell of a steep head angle and I can't see any brake drillings - track frame maybe?

Richard

[feelthewheel]

Here's one for Warren to let us know if the seller's got it right:

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/malvern ... 1315393717

[bicyclepassion]

Here's one for Warren to let us know if the seller's got it right:

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/malvern ... 1315393717

The description on Gumtree is quite accurate, (for a pleasant change). You are paying for a (poorly) repainted frame and fork. As per the description, the components do not match the status of the frame. It’s an actual track frame, so would make a fantastic basis for a really good 5 star restoration. To complete it properly, you would have to spend at least the asking price again, if not a lot more.