Finally you got one, and a very rare (so I’m told) fillet brazed one at that.
Much better than spending $1300 on a lugged 5 Star.
I can’t wait to see the build project. Please keep us updated on the progress.
Craig C.
i swear there is one of these malvern star frames down at Ceres.
looks nice joel. do you know what the tubeset is?
n.
Good stuff mate.
Should build up to a beaut!
It looks too me like it isn’t a dedicated track frame due to the pump holders??
The hunt for the (new) white fixer will continue…
You mean something like this? What a bike …
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/mar/AndyWood.htm
Des
I think the 110mm spacing makes it at least 1940s? If so, it’s probably more of a multipurpose frame that would’ve been used as a fixed, SS or maybe even 3sp setup.
The pump pegs are one of the nice features of the bike I think. It’s unusual to see a fillet brazed one in such good condition. I remember reading somewhere (on the Internet, so it must be true) that there were far fewer fillet brazed frames made than lugged.
$900 is a bit of money but I think it’s a good buy considering the prices the crazy Americans are paying for 5 star frames.
Yeah,
After looking at it a second time it is very similiar to my Dads old Morton (A south melbourne bike shop) 3 speed from 1957 (thats the date on the Sturmey Hub).
However, the old mans frame weighs a ton.
I’m sure this is alot lighter and will be a great ride.
Pics or it didnt happen.
no pics yet - haven’t even paid for it!
As a club racer it would have been run on the track as well as the road, probably with two brakes and definitely a fixed gear, probably a flip-flop hub for the hills 
wingnuts for quick changes.
a completely faithful restoration would have steel cottered cranks, steel bar and stem, 27" tubular wheels (good luck tracking them down!), 36 or 40 hole rear wheel, 36 hole front wheel, galvanised spokes, god knows what else.
In the short term at least it will have a king headset, Soma fabrications Major Taylor bars (love the look - http://www.somafab.com/barmajort.html ), 27" track clinchers which I will get from forum user JP (I’ll contact you about this JP ), stronglight cotterless track cranks which I have, a dura-ace/sugino BB (thanks Boss!), and god knows what else
just watched Anna Meares win the 500m time trial on the track. 35 seconds. Insanity. From a standing start - don’t invite her to the alleycat!
- Joel
Sounds nice.
In case you didn’t know, you can get the Major Taylor bars from Dan too - probably quicker, cheaper and easier than US.
hey whadyaknow?
he does have them - not on the site though.
thanks my tubular friend!
- Joel
I most certainly am NOT tubular! I think.
I’m all for supporting local enterprise
I most certainly am NOT tubular! I think.
I’m all for supporting local enterprise
you most certainly are tubular.
I’m all for supporting local enterprise too - Australians are much happier to talk shit with customers than Americans!
- Joel
A 27" tubular is a 700c tubular is a tubular. (apologies to G. Stein.) Any old one will fit. (Except 650 or other oddball ones obviously.)
Phantomcycles.com.au have Fiamme red labels, which are a bit newer than the era your bike came from, but still a very appropriate classic. Best part is they’re only $20 each.
GemmaK (racedirect) sells heaps of lightweight vintage rims on ebay.
Spoking would be 32/40, 3x of course, and chrome plated, not galvanised.
And to really complete it, how about a skip tooth drivetrain?
(I have 2 pair of 28h Fiammes, one built up 3x on Formula hubs, one spare, they’re very nice, especially with a polish before you build them.)
There are quite often some Airlite Track hubs for sale on the Bay that are 40 hole rear and 32 front.
Sounds like the goods!
thanks for the info Blakey - I just learned about tubulars today from Gemma_K actually. I’ve neve rhad much interest before now. I’ll be getting some fiamme red labels in 36 hole I think. I could look into the airlites but I really am not sufficiently interested in authenticity to put up with a 40 hole wheel! what hubs…what hubs…
no skip tooth. no way.
- Joel