I have Dawes catalogs from roughly '64 and '77 (not sure about either
date).
http://bulgier.net/
Their images are not great on detail, but both catalogs agree in that the chrome on the Galaxy was front fork only, not rear stays, and certainly not any all-chrome option. Both catalogs show a lamp bracket braze-on on the right fork blade. In the '64 catalog you can see that the shifter is clamp-on, not braze-on. But catalogs lie, so don't bet your life.
And who knows what they might have done in the intervening years? Not me.
Mark Bulgier Seattle WA USA
David G. White wrote:
> OK. So I bought this interesting chrome frame on eBay. See
> http://ebay.com/
>
> 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