Re: [CR]Questions about Sun Wasp

(Example: Component Manufacturers)

Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 21:50:46 +0100
Subject: Re: [CR]Questions about Sun Wasp
From: "Hilary Stone" <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk>
To: Chad Shepherd <chad.shepherd@sbcglobal.net>, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <002e01c6f53e$8b7eac70$640612ac@stlcop.local>


Having checked in Peter Cowan's excellent and very thoroughly researched monograph on Sun (unfortunately out of print now, published 1996) it does indeed look like your frame is a a Sun Wasp Champion du Monde - there are one or two other possibilities like the Wasp Maillot Jaune but the catalogue page reproduced seems to fit your bike. This model weas made from 1955 to 1962. The catalogue page from 1955 is not exactly the same - your machine has far more chrome which probably came in later. A frame number will help to determine the date - and presuambly - up the centre of the head badge it is marked Birmingham, not Worksop... However what is most important is that you do not attempt to refinish this frame which is absolutely delightful - yes the finish is scratched but you will never be able to exactly reproduce what you have there and once you destroy it, the details etc will be lost for ever. Your bicycle shows use of honourable wear, a badge of pride. I might be able to get in touch with Peter Cowan and I can check further in my catalogue collection once its date is known to see exactly what the original equipment spec should have been - though even this may not be exactly as the bike emerged from the factory...

Hilary Stone, Bristol, England
> From: "Chad Shepherd" <chad.shepherd@sbcglobal.net>
> Reply-To: Chad Shepherd <chad.shepherd@sbcglobal.net>
> Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 13:27:19 -0500
> To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: Re: [CR]Questions about Sun Wasp
>
> http://www.kp2.com/sunwasp/chadsbike.htm