1952 Hobbs 'Blue Riband': the next iteration

[Clydesdale Scot]

52 tyres by philip.knight, on Flickr

[GaryF]

Patience, knowledge, skill and beauty - great thread and great bike.

[Clydesdale Scot]

I wrote earlier about the Lytaloy crankset. These are super rare and were manufactured by Hobbs. The Lytaloy components were very highly regarded at the time and were found on the highest class bikes.

I had bought a drive side arm and chainring knowing the arm would be cracked as was a common trait in the cranksets. John was generous in providing a non-drive side arm which was also cracked.
The components were scanned with an extraordinarily expensive 3D scanner, and a model was generated.
To manufacture a set would require the design and manufacture of custom jigs to hold the components at each stage of the manufacturing process. Something that Mick and I couldn't justify.
So the item was put on hold. In idle moments I contemplated other manufacturing techniques to explore (casting or 3D printing with titanium).
Recently Mick contacted me and he had been working on the production flow and jigs to use in his brand new monstrous size, very expensive CNC machine.
I visited Mick and was bewildered by the extent of his machinery in his backyard workshop. The size and scope would be the envy of most engineering workshops.
Mick then showed me the simulated sequences he had developed on the computer screens, and a few days ago sent me the first images of a test run.


He still needs to make the jig to make the holes for the placement of the cotter pins.

It is designed to be a perfect replica of the original, with the exception that the Lytaloy name is engraved and not embossed. This allows for the ready distinction of the old and the new.

[10speedsemiracer]

Almost a work of art.

[hiflange]

Your recreations of vintage parts never cease to amaze me. I think you and Mick have outdone yourselves this time though!

[Johnj]

Almost a work of art.

No almost about it.

I'm glad I could assist this fascinating project. Put me down for a crankset if you are going into production. I might even be able to afford it...

[Tmuir]

Now that is some nice work!
I look forward to the finished results

[MichaelB]

Holy Batman !!!

[LG]

Wow, amazing work, look forward to seeing the final outcome

[P!N20]

Stolen from bikeforums.net who originally stole it from Cycling Plus magazine.

[hiflange]

Great read, thanks P!N20. Also great to see a pic of the legendary Stone. As always with this sort of stuff his actual appearance is a significant departure from my imagined version

[Clydesdale Scot]

a slightly later image of Hilary in 2005