Forum | Building a Guvnor Look a Like

Gentlemen

I already own two Pashleys.  These being a Paramount for myself and a Sonnet Bliss for the wife.  I have just retired and rather than do the usual thing of buying a bright red Porsche as part of a belated mid life crisis, I decided to build a Guvnor look a like.

I have a old Raleigh from the early fifties and this is a summary of what has been done.

Frame: Fully resprayed in high gloss black. all paint work has been done profesionally.

Wheels: Rims have been resprayed matt black. New steel spokes on both wheels. New sturmey archer front hub.

Tyres: Brand new Schwable cream classic roadster with high vis band on the wall. New inner tubes.

Chainset: Original cranks polished up. New chain. 

Stem: Vintage stem off ebay, been polished up. A1 condition.

Handlebars: Northroad moustache style, brand new. 

Gears: Sturmey Archer 3 speed. Hub and trigger .

Grips: Wooden soft grips, brand new and will be stained to match seat )

Saddle: Brooks B66S leather saddle with seat post, both brand new.

Brakes: Vintage calipers bought off ebay. Levers are original. A1 condition

Bike stand: Original, A1 condition.

Progress ceased over the recent weeks because the garage was bloody freezing but I expect the bicycle to be complete by the end of the week.

The total cost is below £350.00 and the bike is as good as new and looks very similar to a Guvnor with the exception of the brakes and the Raleigh name plate.

I may try a 7 speed SA hub at a later date but I will see how I get on with the 3 speed first.

I hope to go out on a spin for the first time next week.

Regards

Mick

.

Just stumbled accross this site, good to see the orange one working, will get rims done in orange too…

Some look-a-like ideas for you

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/for.….&sd=a

The orange might just work, will see about the 26″-ers though, might be totally the wrong geometry for path racer :I

Duchy Wheeler said:

One & All,

Have you fellows had a look at “Bishops Path Racers” website, link on Home Page, lots of inspiration to be had there!

Safe rides.

Good linky Mr Wheeler, where i saw the above :)

Not mad :)

Choosing the donor bike and having the correct tools is the biggest problem really. I’m on my thrid bike rebuild. i’ve never really got greasey till now.

Slowly i’m building up the skills and toolbox to do most of the tasks myself, generally you’ll struggle with

• Wheel build
• Measuring exact sizes, digital callipers required
• Bottom bracket tools
• Headset removal (buy just a frame and fork ;))
• Headset installation (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayI.….666wt_1139) 

Youtube is a great place to help you, there are alot of vids showing the techniques you’ll need.

Also to consider

• Donor bike or frame selection, look out for touring or more relaxed frames, get a good reynolds 531 type steel frame ideally 
  • See my link above, I picked up a pashley soverign thats quite similar to the Guv…has the same frame and similar wheels, very wet cycling home tho but worth it for £199
• Wheel size,
  • Rim
• Tyre choice
  • Cream tyres only come in 26″ 1 3/8 and 28″ 1/2 I think
  • Find a local metal work company for powder coat, £40 for a lovely finish if you’re near Letchworth

Use your local bike shop if need be (avoid the chain stores if possible), they can do it all for you, I still get my wheels built for me :) For my first bike they built wheels, installed hedset, BB etc, I just installed the easy bits but its fun and the bike is 100% your concept

I’ll make a blog entry for my orange number soon…probably about 1month away from completion, I want to do it in stages, see what the wheels look like before buying stems, bars, seats etc

Dear Mr Dogbreath,

Thank you very much for the advice, you’ve inspired me to take another look and, hopefully, embark on a project. Invaluable advice which will, I’m sure, save time and make life easier.

I look forward to seeing the blog entry on the orange machine. The picture looks magnificent.

Cheers!

The orange beast is started taking shape…just my bike

Will try and keep the project and the blog going!

Post edited 7:01 pm — Mar 19, 2011 by Dogbreath

Loving it SlyRed.…

And getting there myself…a few jobs to go though, blog updated :)

Outstanding work Mr. Dogbreath!!!

At first I was a bit sceptical about the bright orange colour, but combined with the cream tyres and the silver parts it looks just great.

I have two similar projects under way, but I have been more conservative regarding the colour choices.

I think I should manage to start posting some pictures tomorrow.

Kind regards from Germany,

Hartwig

Dear Maj. Dogreath,

Wow. The Orange Beast really has moved on apace and looks simply stunning.

You’ve inspired me yet again and efforts to find a donor bike, which had slowed, have now been redoubled. Photos may be some way off but determination is renewed.

Cheers!