1951 C.W.S
Finally riding a big boys bike
Those dropouts where only used on Raleigh’s from what I know
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Anybody have any thoughts on this bike?
- Thread starter BLK80SLT
- Start date
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bulgie
On Training Wheels
Giovanni sent those nice catalog scans of Nervex lugs, all with the second pattern Professional, newer than the OP's frame which has the first pattern. First pattern is distinguishable by the "fangs" on the very front of the head tube, versus a "whale tail" on the second, more common pattern.
I don't know when they switched, but I have seen some mid-'50s frames with the second pattern, so I think first pattern means early '50s or earlier. Of course individual builders who stocked up might have been using first pattern lugs well after Nervex stopped making them.
I think the big "A" stamped in the seat lug was put there by Nervex. I have seen it on various brands of bike.
Nervex Professional seat lugs have more robust pinch bolt ears than most other lugs -- they generally work correctly for many decades without any sort of added material inside -- though it's still a nice "show off" move for the builder to fill in the hollow bits.
The workmanship on this mystery frame is top notch though, I can't find anything to fault it on. Really beautiful bike and Bravo on the excellent restoration job!
-Mark
I don't know when they switched, but I have seen some mid-'50s frames with the second pattern, so I think first pattern means early '50s or earlier. Of course individual builders who stocked up might have been using first pattern lugs well after Nervex stopped making them.
I think the big "A" stamped in the seat lug was put there by Nervex. I have seen it on various brands of bike.
Nervex Professional seat lugs have more robust pinch bolt ears than most other lugs -- they generally work correctly for many decades without any sort of added material inside -- though it's still a nice "show off" move for the builder to fill in the hollow bits.
The workmanship on this mystery frame is top notch though, I can't find anything to fault it on. Really beautiful bike and Bravo on the excellent restoration job!
-Mark
juvela
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
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Thank you for this post.
Have not previously encountered them on a Raleigh manufactured bicycle.
Do you have any photos showing a Raleigh built with them?
Dropouts are a design by Percy T. Stallard, British racing cyclist and son of a bicycle shop owner.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Stallard
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/stallard.html
http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/Stallard.htm
Not all Stallard badged frames received these ends. Here is one dated as ~1960 which is constructed with an Agrati ends set.
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1951 C.W.S
Finally riding a big boys bike
juvela
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
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Regarding the early vs late NERVEX Professional lug patterns -
Have a Francolam catalogue dated 1958 which illustrates the Professional pattern with the late type.
As Mark pointed out above even if we knew a specific changeover date it would not be of help in dating the frame since its maker could have been employing old stock and building on a post-changeover date...
Perhaps this frameset is destined to remain "a mystery wrapped in an enigma"
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Regarding the early vs late NERVEX Professional lug patterns -
Have a Francolam catalogue dated 1958 which illustrates the Professional pattern with the late type.
As Mark pointed out above even if we knew a specific changeover date it would not be of help in dating the frame since its maker could have been employing old stock and building on a post-changeover date...
Perhaps this frameset is destined to remain "a mystery wrapped in an enigma"
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juvela
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
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Regarding the "A" marking on frame's seat lug -
Mark wrote in his message above that he thought it might have been placed there by NERVEX.
Took me dull "braine" a while to recall it but this was a common marking on French manufactured parts, used to indicate they were of British dimension. The A here standing for Anglais.
The marking is also referred to as such in Sutherland's Handbook For Bicycle Mechanics.
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Regarding the "A" marking on frame's seat lug -
Mark wrote in his message above that he thought it might have been placed there by NERVEX.
Took me dull "braine" a while to recall it but this was a common marking on French manufactured parts, used to indicate they were of British dimension. The A here standing for Anglais.
The marking is also referred to as such in Sutherland's Handbook For Bicycle Mechanics.
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BLK80SLT
Look Ma, No Hands!
I figured it had something to do with the lug rather than the frame manufacturer. Thank you for all the great info you and others have provided. I'm getting anxious for warm weather so I can ride it. I took some pics today.
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