Re: [CR]Is it a Dawes Galaxy or not?

(Example: Books)

Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2006 18:32:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Don Wilson" <dcwilson3@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Is it a Dawes Galaxy or not?
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <44345E24.8010309@adelphia.net>


I have three Dawes, which makes me a glutton for indifferent responses from bike collectors. :-) I bought them all for $5 a piece. They're all in very good condition. How can I say no?

All are from late 70s early 80s era. None look much like this bike. All plain, long point lugs. All painted. No chrome. All with Dawes pantographed in the seat stays.

Dawes Warwick: Reynolds 501 main tubes and stays, Reynolds 531 fork. A strange combination. General purpose bike.

Dawes Galaxy: Reynolds 531 ST throughout. Tourer. The most comfy bike I've ever ridden on bumpy roads.

Dawes Imperial: Racing geometry. A very nice bike.

If its a Dawes, it must be from the 60s to early 70s? If its a Dawes, it must be an Imperial earlier than mine. I doubt its a Dawes.

Don Wilson
Los Olivos, CA


--- "David G. White" wrote:


> OK. So I bought this interesting chrome frame on
> eBay. See
> http://ebay.com/<blah
>
> I asked the list about this frame a week or so ago
> and the consensus was
> that it is a Dawes Galaxy. First, our illustrious
> leader, Dale Brown
> said it is a Dawes. Then Mark Hoffman said it
> matches his personal
> Dawes Galaxy. A few others chimed in with
> possibilities, but then the
> inestimable Norris Lockley, having sold many Dawes
> over the years,
> sealed the identification (or so I thought) by
> confirming it as a Dawes
> Galaxy.
>
> Then I was put it touch with the kind Mr. Reg
> Dennis, who is the
> designated "Marque Enthusiast" for Dawes for the
> Veteran-Cycle Club and
> author of the article on Dawes on The Boneshaker,
> Summer 2005 issue. I
> told him I had recently purchased a Dawes Galaxy and
> could he kindly
> help me determine when it was built?
>
> Much to my surprise he responded saying that
> unfortunately my frame is
> not a Dawes! I subsequently forwarded the emails
> from Brown, Hoffman and
> Lockley asking what he thought. He still responded
> in the negative. See
> his emails below.
>
> So let's take a fresh view of it. Any new thoughts?
> Reactions to Mr.
> Dennis' views on the question?
>
> I don't think Mr. Dennis is a member of the CR list,
> I've copied him on
> this posting, it would be great if any responses
> could include him in
> the addressees.
>
> Thanks!
>
> David
>
> David G. White
> Burlington, VT
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: all chrome Dawes Galaxy - dating
> Date: Tue Apr 4 23:12:22 2006
> From: regdennis@supanet.com
> To: whiteknight@adelphia.net
>
>
> Dear David,
> Thank you for your E-mail re. Dawes identification.
>
> I am sorry but I do not think your frame is a Dawes
> for the following reasons
> 1. The number on Dawes frames is almost always
> located on the rear Left Hand dropout, although it
> has also been
> found on the seat cluster on older machines.
> 2. Your number is not typical for Dawes, early
> models had one or two letters and three or four
> numbers (AA 1234).
> Following the Dutch takeover of the company, the
> numbers were either 8 numbers, or 2 letters and 6
> numbers.
> 3. I have looked at the photographs on e-Bay and
> cannot see any braze on fittings. I would have
> expected to see
> some.
> 4. The Chrome finish and the lugs do not appear to
> be Dawes style.
>
> Of course anything is possible but while I cannot
> totally rule out the possibility that the frame was
> made by Dawes,
> I think it is very unlikely.
>
> Sorry to be so negative on this one
> Reg Dennis
> V-CC Dawes M.E.
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: #3 [Fwd: [CR]Chrome frame..]
> Date: Wed Apr 5 23:21:41 2006
> From: regdennis@supanet.com
> To: whiteknight@adelphia.net
>
> Dear David,
>
> Thank you for the many E-mails of today! I have
> rechecked all the catalogues and the database to see
> if I could
> find something similar to your machine but there are
> too many things that do not tie up and I am now
> convinced
> that you do not have a Dawes and certainly not a
> Galaxy.
>
> As I pointed out in the last E-mail the frame number
> does not tie in with Dawes system. It is in the
> wrong place (on the bottom bracket) and is to a
> different layout.
>
> In addition the lugs are not Dawes, although they
> did something with a similar cut out window the
> other twiddley
> bits are not right. The seat cluster is also not
> right, as far as I can make out from the photo. That
> little
> extra cut back at 90� & 180� and the shape of the
> top of the seat stay do not look like the ones on my
> Galaxy!
>
> The rear brake hanger should be curved round rod I
> think, not pressed from flat sheet and the lack of
> lever
> bosses on the down tube are a worry. Also the Galaxy
> had brazed on bottle cage fixings and brake cable
> guides,
> did it not? I cannot see them here!
>
> Finally most Dawes forks had a light bracket boss
> fitted half way up the right hand fork leg, this and
> the crown
> lug pattern suggest this is not a Dawes fork.
>
> The Galaxy did come with chrome ends but frames WERE
> all painted and I cannot find a record of a full
> chrome finish.
> I would expect a maker's decal or two to be
> displayed on such a bike. Nothing in sight here, so
> perhaps it has been
> chromed during restoration at some time.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Reg Dennis
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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D.C. Wilson dcwilson3@yahoo.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Note: This message may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or any information herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation. -------------------------------------------------------------

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