Hey guys, great site here.
So after wanting a fixed wheel bike to cruise around on, I found out my grandad still had his Speedwell (that was originally a fixed gear) that he bought new when he was 15, in about 1951.
At the moment, the wheels, seat and grips are getting replaced.
I’ve been trying to find out what model it is, with no luck.
Most of the graphics are unreadable making it difficult.
Any help would be appreciated.
would be great to see this one restored. if youre after more info or help knowing more about it the guys over at http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/ are amazing. just post it up with any info, photos of BB or lug work. not sure, but there might be a serial number around the bottom bracket. they also have a great bank of info on how to restore a bike of this age.
Thanks, I’ll check that site out.
I wanna try and keep it original looking.
When it gets back from the shop, I’ll get more photos up.
+1 on bicycles.net.au forum those guys can pick most old frames
I’m sure you already are, but keep all those old bits you’re taking off. Seat, wheels, maybe grips if not too degraded. You never know whether you might one day want to recover the old seat (or find exact copies of grips etc) and finding another one can be difficult.
I like it.
Yeah I’m keeping everything.
I know the seats not orignal, not 100% sure on the grips though.
I’m getting tan leather grips and seat, keep with the old school feel.
One owner original, passed on within the family, thats cool!
So is it still a fixed gear or is that an internal hub I see? Nice pick up.
In the pictures its got a coaster hub as my great uncle put the original rear wheel on his bike. But it originally was fixed.
When I found out my grandad still had the bike, I was so stoked.
Josh, you certainly are a lucky man. Hold onto this one!
Getting it back tomorrow, really want to ride it.
I’m going to hold onto it for sure.
NEW PICS!!!
Got it back today.
I’ve never ridden a fixed gear before, so smooth and quite.
Awesome, good work there.Have you considered a strip repaint and repro decals in the future?
Yeah somewhere down the road, once I accumulate some more funds.
Clear powdercoat it! It reminds me of this build…
What are you going to do about clips and straps? Some old metal clips and matching brown straps would be cool.
Yeah, trying to find a pair.
After talking to my Grandad, it originally came with drop bars, so I’m going to find a set of those too.
Scratch that, he reckons they are the original bars
Thanks for all the props people.
I showed my grandad and he loves it.
I’ve got to get some more detailed pictures of it so someone can help identify it.
It looks to be a ‘Popular De Luxe’ but I’m not too sure. Serial numbers can be found on the rear drop outs on some speedwells.
Also try: -
canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au
but it seems to have been moved incomplete to: -
http://www.bicyclehistory.com.au/bicycle_brands.htm#SPEEDWELL
I’ve got a few spares from a Speedwell if you’re interested too.
Nice bike none the less.
Hank
Alright, got some pictures of bottom bracket and lug work.
Got a pair of drop bars from my Grandads malvern star from the 80’s (or older).
Bar tape coming soon.
hahah lovin the P plate :lol:
