Wakefield, R. H.
Posted: Friday 10th July 2020
| Frame | Wakefield; 22" 531 frame No.1083 with a Nervex Professional lugset and fork crown with wrap-over seat stays. There is a semi-circular rear bridge at the top of the seat stays to accommodate a cable for centre-pull brakes thus avoiding the need for a hanger, a popular add-on of the period apparently. The seat tube angle is 73 while the head tube is 74 and the wheelbase is 40.5". The short pump pegs are situated underneath the back of the cross tube and at the base and on top of the down tube positioning the pump close to & parrallel with the seat tube. |
| Wheels | Replacement 27 x 1.25" Rigida Chromage Superchromix from a donor bike. The original wheels were Van Shuthorst but were discarded due to their condition. |
| Chainset | Williams double chainset 50/47 with fluted cranks. BB is Bayliss Wiley |
| Pedals | Rusty unknowns, stainless Christophe clips minus the straps. |
| Gears | Campagnolo Gran Sport on a 5-speed freewheel hub. The front changer is Simplex, its limited lateral movement makes precise chainwheel selection a bit hit & miss. Rubber capped Campagnolo down tube levers. |
| Brakes | GB Sprite T91 |
| Stem/Bars | Ambrosio Stem with 11cm reach supporting Ambrosio Champion bars. |
| Headset | Stronglight Competition headset. |
| Saddle | B17 Champion Narrow |
| Extra Details | Front Bluemel Classique mudguard shortened to avoid frequent and risky collision with the rider's toes. Vintage French AFA pump. This road machine is built by R.H.Wakefield in his shop at 59 London Road, Tooting/Mitcham, London SW17 in about 1960. The frame maker, and the precise date the frame was made, has not yet been discovered but research continues. It is likely to be by one of three men who were known to have worked at Bob Wakefield's shop from the early 50s through to mid 60s, they were Jack Jennings, Ted Shaw and Brian Packer. If anyone thinks they may be able to identify the maker and/or the date of my frame, please contact the webmaster. |
Thanks for reading
Posted: Friday 10th July 2020
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