Phil,
I've got a Dayton frame in the attic. It's an unusual frame in that, although lugless, it's not fillet-brazed. Bob Reid provided the following information about mine when I asked about it on the list a while ago:
"A product of "The Dayton Cycle Co.Ltd. - Park Royal Road, London. I need to do some more digging but most of the spec. fits the 1951 Dayton Roadmaster, and it's 15 "Star" attractions ;
* Patented Amalgam 22" frame, with road racing angles and lightweight forks . Cable eyes, pump pegs and lamp bracket brazed on.
* Good quality leather saddle with chrome under chassis ; duralimin seat pillar.
* Bare wire cable under top tube
* 18" Aluminium Pump
* G.B. Solid Forged 3" extension
* 15/16" Titan type bends, taped and stopped
* G.B. Brakes with hooded levers
* Head bearings, 5/32" balls with decagonal races and serrated washer.
* 27" h.p. wheels with Dunlop road racing tyres
* Chrome ends on forks
* Champion du Monde chromed pedals
* 46t 3-arm lightweight Continental triangular design chainwheel, with fluted cranks.
* Bottom bracket bearing enclosed in oil bath unit
* Rosa wing nuts
* Bluemels lightweight aluminium guards with reflector
- Choice of four colours - Yellow, Electric Blue, Tortoise Blue, enamel finishes or Silver-Grey Lustre finish. Weight 26 lbs. Price 16 Guineas inc. purchase tax.
If I'm not mistaken the "amalgam" bit was Dayton's method of butt-welding the tubes together very similar to Royal-Enfields "Unitized" frames and as more recently used by Peugeot, rather than some rocket science tubing material."
Mick Butler added the following earlier this year: "Dayton Cycles of Park Royal London. Park Royal is where they brew the Guinness in England. Daytons head badge is a micrometer which is shaped like a D. They made bikes from the 1930's until the early 60's. Sponsored track teams at the Wembley 6 day and road teams Tour of Britain etc. A series of their frames were of welded construction called I think the Amalgam process. Daytons were very prolific in the 1940's to the 50's."
If anyone is interested, mine is available for $130 including postage and packing. It's about 22-inch if I remember correctly. Please email me off-llist for further details.
Cheers, Bruce Dundee Scotland
> From: "Phil" <pdscott@gte.net>
> Subject: [CR]dayton bicycles form london
>
> I remember seeing pictures of Dayton bicycles from London with lugless
> frames or something 1950 circa.Anyone have a picture of the Dayton bicycle,
> I think they sponsored a racing team in England.
>
> Phillip Scott
> Clayton, Ohio