Gillott, A S - The birth and life of a 1952 Gillott
Posted: Monday 08th June 2020
We have recently been sent a copy of a 1952 Gillott frame order/invoice by Keith Tubby from Norwich who raced with the Norwich Amateur Bicycle Club: it is a good example of how frames were built in the 50s and shows how the relationship between builder and buyer was established:
Date of order: November 19th 1952 Date of delivery: December 27th 1952
Frame Number: 523059 Type and size: 24½” Fleur de Lis
Angles – Head: 74º Seat: 73º Top tube: 22½”
Bottom Bracket: 10¾” with 26” wheels
Wheelbase: Front………………. Rear 17¼”
Fork ends:- Front: Our special Rear: Our special track
Head fitting: Continental type Lytaloy
Front forks: Round 1¾” rake RJB crown
Width of front ends: 3â…ž” Rear: 4?”
Size of wheels: 27” with mudguards
Brazed-on attachments: Mudguard eyes Make of fittings: Baylis Wiley
Chainwheel set and sizes……………………..
Rims…………………………………………………. Hubs………………………………………………
Spokes………………………………………………. Tyres……………………………………………..
Chain……………………………………………….. Pedals……………………………………………..
Gears and sprockets…………………………… Saddle……………………………………………..
Mudguards………………………………………… Brakes……………………………………………
Handlebars and stem………………………….
Colour and finish: Super Electro Flamboyant Majenta; White P O L; C/P Fork all over, stays all over; Block
transfers.
(White P O L = white paint on lugs; C/P = chrome plating)
Accessories………………………………………
Price………………………………..£18.17s.6d. plus 7s.6d.
Deposit……………………………..£1.0s.0d
Balance when ready.………………………………….
Special notes: Rear ends 2” slot; 5/8” seat stays Rapid taper chainstays
The end result, Keith Tubby NABC at speed in a 72″ Restricted Fixed-wheel event in March 1953 on the Gillott ordered via the above form.
It was a stunning machine with the beautiful Fleur de Lys lugs, finished in polychromatic magenta on nickel plate with chrome forks and chrome rear triangle. The frame had A S GILLOTT in block letters on the down tube and the lugs lined in white.
The specification of this machine was:
Brooks B57 Swallow with stainless-steel frame
Cyclo steel stem 4½” with 1″ drop – Reynolds bars ‘Continental’ with 8″ drop
Brake GB Superhood lever with Coureur stirrup
Fiamme sprint rims on Harden LF Flyweight hubs and Dunlop N. 2 tubs
Allez pedals with cyclo clips and straps
Note the CO2 inflator below the saddle and secured in a Terry clip mounted on a block at the rear of the seat tube.
Keith was 6′ 2″ tall and weighed 11 stone in racing trim.
Posted: Monday 08th June 2020
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