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Building a Guvnor Look a Like

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4:22 pm
Feb 8, 2011


Mick Parry

Regular

posts 12


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

.

5:32 pm
Feb 8, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

Not far off doing the same here, westwood 26 1 3/8th  rims arrived today, cream tyres…1960’s bsa frame is going down the orange route though, guess i have to get the rims done in orange too, maybe not…will see where the weekend goes. I’m not going for the guv’nor look as I already have http://www.guvnorownersclub.co.….plus-four/ but just enjoy building ‘funny’ bikes for chilled cycling.


I’d advise going against a 7speed SA hub, I’ve got the XRD5 (5 gears) on another project that I use for getting to the station and it’s a pain setting up reliable gear changes, one last chance now, going from the 5 gear grip changer to the 5 gear trigger changer to see if its better….for the orange number its back to XRD3…love having internal brakes though, looks very nice.


Good luck with your project and enjoy your first ride…post pictures maybe

Plus Four no. 4 :)

11:16 pm
Feb 9, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

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

Plus Four no. 4 :)

7:25 pm
Feb 13, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

Just bought this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayI.….500wt_1156


Plus four for the odd summer day and now a Guv-a-like as my daily ride…must get cream wheels


Plus Four no. 4 :)

7:12 pm
Feb 21, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

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


Plus Four no. 4 :)

8:06 pm
Feb 21, 2011


Duchy Wheeler

Cornwall. UK

Regular

posts 395

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.

8:24 pm
Feb 21, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

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 :)

Plus Four no. 4 :)

10:40 am
Feb 27, 2011


Morse

Regular

posts 38

Dear All,

There are certainly some beautiful bikes out there and I have nothing but admiration for those who have built them.

As a complete rank amateur with a spanner but with something of an ambition to try and put together one of these lovely machines can anyone give me an idea as to whether I’m mad to contemplate such a task or is it possible learn whilst doing. Also, if anyone has any pointers as to useful websites, courses etc. for practical help I’d be interested and grateful.


Cheers!

9:32 pm
Feb 27, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

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

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


Plus Four no. 4 :)

9:39 pm
Feb 27, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

Mick, be interested to see progress :)

Plus Four no. 4 :)

11:02 am
Mar 1, 2011


Morse

Regular

posts 38

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!


1:51 pm
Mar 1, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

Good to hear Mr Morse


Now the weather has improved i’m in the garriage playing with bikes (7 bikes now) alot, its great fun and means that im not stuck in front of a computer or TV screen when I get home. Turn the box off and have fun, the grazed knuckles are worth it, you finish a bike and its yours, you trust it more and know ever bolt and turn on the thing.


Last night i did spend in front of the TV however I was polishing metal bits for the ‘orange build’, my nails have never been lovlier as a result lol.


Dont brake the bank for your first one or two, ask friends and family a get hold of a clunker…my birthday present from my parents was a £25 bike stand from Lidl, has been great.


Enjoy, be interesting to see results.


Maj Dogbreath

Plus Four no. 4 :)

9:59 pm
Mar 3, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

The orange beast is started taking shape…just my bike


Will try and keep the project and the blog going!

Plus Four no. 4 :)

1:06 pm
Mar 6, 2011


SlyRed

Chicago, Illinois USA

Regular

posts 28

Post edited 1:09 pm — Mar 6, 2011 by SlyRed


Here is Blackadder (aka Edmund), my Guv’nor look alike.  I built it on a 1978 Raleigh Record Ace frame.  He’s seen very little use yet.  With spring on the way I’m hoping to have many pleasant rides.

In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. Oscar Wilde

7:01 pm
Mar 19, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

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 :)


Plus Four no. 4 :)

9:52 am
Mar 20, 2011


The Cycling Photographer

Moderator

posts 407

Post edited 9:57 am — Mar 20, 2011 by The Cycling Photographer


Sir, I feel that your ‘call sign’ should be up-graded to “Dog’s B******s”
in honour of your creation. Fine work indeed.
I wish I had known of the anti graunch ‘tuppence’ trick with the handle bar
stem. So logical. So simple. So annoying!
Makes my project from last year, costing two pints and bits from my shed,
look like a before images, and yours being the after one!
Well done. Enjoy.
Ride on!

2:08 pm
Mar 20, 2011


topper-hardy

Luebeck, Germany

Regular

posts 63

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

4:41 pm
Mar 20, 2011


Rich Senior

New Forest

Regular

posts 111

Hear, hear! Truly Outstanding it is!

Maj Dogbreath, If someone told me they planned to build a bicycle a l’orange, I would suggest they visit their quack. However, your vision and hard graft have created something very special indeed.

Well done Sir!

10:40 am
Mar 21, 2011


Morse

Regular

posts 38

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!

12:46 pm
Mar 21, 2011


Dogbreath

North Herts, England

Regular

posts 62

Cheers all, kind words…not sure what hole she’ll fill…might even sell her (especially as I have the other bike from ebay)…ordered the last remaining bits yesterday, Saddle, Grips and brakes on the way.


I’ve had the odd scrape on the frame though even with a bike stand for building her, not sure where they came from..grr. Will speak with the metal shop and see if they can touch up without a full strip down, nothing major just not perfect lol


Generally quite happy though and she’s fun to ride and been good to put together, more lessons learned each time i do and more tools, techniques.

Plus Four no. 4 :)

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