This is an interesting beginning. I just subscribed to the list, and was about to ask this very question.
My "RGF" bottom bracket is on a just acquired c.1983 Holdsworth Professional. The bike is in pretty good original condition, but the paint needs some touching up.
The frame is a metallic offwhite color, called "pearl white". How would I go about obtaining some paint to match?
My other bikes include a curly-stay Hetchins Novus Ductor (it was used by the American distributor in the 80's as a show bike), a Woodrup touring, a Condor racing, and my everyday Rob Stowe.
I've been working on bikes since the late 60's, when I built a 12-speed using a Sturmey-Archer 4-speed hub with a triple cog and Simplex Prestige derailleur. Still have the parts, though the frame is gone.
Should be a fun group!
Louis Schulman Tampa, Florida
On Tue, 31 Dec 2002 06:00:02 -0500, hanuman@bdol.com wrote:
#>From: Morgan Fletcher <morgan@hahaha.org>
#>Date: 30 Dec 2002 12:06:15 -0800
#>Subject: [CR]RGF?
#
#<snip>
#>
#>The top of the bottom bracket shell has a marking that is a
horizontal
#>oval containing the letters "RGF". Is that a marking of the maker of
#>the lug, or the builder? Do you know anything about it?
#>
#
#This is one of the questions that make regular reappearances on CR.
Here
#are snippets from the thread in Dec. 1999. I think the next
reappearing
#thread will be......Favorit bikes :)
#
#Happy New Year to all!
#Hey Paulie! Hey Rick C.! And Listmeister Dale! Jump, jump, wave, wave!
#
#Chee-Heng Yeong
#Providence, R.I.
#
#
#>
#At 5:56 PM -0500 12/3/1999, hanuman wrote:
#>classicrendezvous
#>
#>There have been a few questions about what the RGF in an oval stands
for.
#>My frame built in 1980 also has an RGF bottom bracket and I have
finally
#>been able to get in touch with the frame builder, Jay Downing.
#>
#>It's a pressed steel BB, made by GARGETTE FRERES, the "R" he thinks
stands
#>for "Racord" (spelling, word?) which could be "bottom bracket " in
French.
#>Can anyone verify? Monsieur Sheldon?
#>
#>"Raccord", (m.) is the French word for "lug", and also is used for a
pump
#>head.
#>
#>The usual term for a bottom bracket shell specifically is "boitier."
#>
#>This and many other French bicycling terms may be found in my
#>French/English/Anglais/Français Bicycle Dictionary/Vélo Dicctionaire
#>at:
#>
#> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/