I have a very nice speedwell frame that I picked up and am keen to build it up properly with period parts,
It is a speedwell olympic, built from Reynolds 531, It has a chrome fork and hand painted/waterslide decals.
I assume it has Nervex lugs as this is printed on the BB,
A bit of research showed up this, a small image from the canberra bike museum saying that it is a 1950’s bike (it looks damn similar but the image is too small to confirm)
And here is my frame
Anyone have any idea on the period of this bike? anyone have any hints as to what kit I should be hunting down? Should I look for cottered track cranks? Could I get away with Wooden rims?
Cheers
That is a very nice and tidy example. I have an almost complete and original Speedwell Olympic but not in such good order as yours, also just acquired.
I dont think there are many around. I know someone who has a set of the same cranks that are on mine, and probably pretty cheap.
It has a 1950’s Fiamme red label tubular (with the valve hole ferrule) on the rear laced to a Harden hub. I have no way of knowing if that was the original though. A tubular rim is a 700c equivalent. The bike has enough space for 27"
I dont have any useable spare bits from that era that I would part with. Cotterpin cranks are fairly cheap.
I have a feeling yours is later than the one that was in the old Canberra bike museum. Yours has more modern style thicker seat stays which is just visible and much beefier Campagnolo dropouts which the Museum bike doesn’t have. I think it’s early to mid 60’s and clearances are tighter than Roger’s. “No Record” Campy track hubs, 151bcd Campy track cranks, Campy twin bolt seatpost and steel Cinelli Bar/Stem is what was commonly used for top tier tack bikes back then but it won’t be cheap.
You could easily use later “record” track hubs and 144bcd cranks and most people wouldn’t know the difference. A black Brooks b17 narrow is the spiritual successor to the Brooks track saddles of old. Looks the part and is easily found. White cloth tape. Early Fiamme or Nisi sprint rims and classic looking tubulars with gum sidewalls.
btw … I sold it to you (unless it has changed hands since ebay)
Post some bigger pics … that’s a bike worth showing
Cheers man, Didn’t know you were on Fixed (Plus to tell you the truth I kind of forgot where I got it from seeing as it was like 8 months ago or something and I have a tendency to buy a LOT of bike stuff)
If you’re looking for vintage parts etc, Rolf (who posts on www.bicycles.net.au as 5*Rolf and is on eBay as Olivertwist$) has a bunch of Harden track hubs and tubular rims. He might be able to help you out with cranks, stems and bars too.
(unless it has changed hands since ebay)