Hi Charles,
I have an MKM frame in the midst of being built up with 1st generation SunTour Superbe. I've had some email correspondence with one of the MKM principles, Wes Mason.
I want to correct one of the comments below. Mapplebeck is not one of "M"s in MKM. The "M"s are Metcalfe and Mason. The "K" is for Ron Kitching. My particular frame has original decals identifying it as a Metcalfe Tour de France model. Arthur Metcalfe raced in the Tour de France.
What info are you seeking? I am not an expert on MKMs, but along with Derek Wilburn, I have been gathering some information that I'm quite willing to share.
Best,
David
David G. White Burlington, VT
cnighbor wrote:
> At one time I owned a very nice mkm built in England. A bit too big. So
> I sold it. It was only one I have seen on west coast of USA. I bought it
> off a struggling musican. Does any members have one they could send
> photos of. Or know of one for sale around 57cm center to center. I asked
> David Miller of Hetchins Cycles and he provided this,''
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: David Miller
> To: cnighbor
> Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 1:09 PM
> Subject: Re: MKM's
>
>
> Charles, you may recall my comments some time ago about frames looking
> identical and the reason builders started to put engraved parts on
> frames.
> The MKM was such a model, because they used all the frame parts common
> to most lightweight builders of the time.
> MKM was an amalgamation of 3 people, Mapplebeck, Kitchen, (of Ron
> Kitching fame) and the last M escapes me for the moment. Mapplebeck went
> on to be involved with the Pennine frames. The company didn't last long,
> I think there was too much ego at stake, but they did build fine frames
> at the time.
> So to answer your question, there are MKM frames out there, but unless
> they are engraved, or have original transfers, they're difficult to
> identify.
> If I ever stumble across any I'll let you know.
> Happy New Year,
> David Miller''
>
> There is a bit on CR web site.
> ''This marque was a premium frame, backed by Ron Kitching (RonKit) and
> built by two British cycling stars. The duration of the company was
> relatively short, spanning from 1972 into the late 1970s. MKM is said to
> have made certain RonKit and Anquetil models as well.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -------
>
> "Wes Mason learnt his frame building craft at Carlton Cycles for
> whom he rode for for a while. As a matter of interest, a well known
> British time trialist of the day, Ian White from York was the paint
> sprayer. The factory in Harrogate was called Chapel Works, being the
> premises of a former chapel which Ron Kitching purchased." Mike Mullett,
> Reading, UK
>
> "Steve Elsworth (was the) the foreman builder, at MKM, who built most if
> not all of these frames, Steve, who must have been one of the UK's top
> builders, particularly of lugless frames and tandems, never ever used
> any form of jig. Everything was done 'by eye', even the bending of fork
> blades." Norris Lockley, Settle UK
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -------
>
> "I own a 1979 MKM Dominator which I ordered from MKM in August 1979. My
> frame was not delivered as the
> company had gone bust and my frameset and another were collected by my
> mother in October (I think it was)
> 1979 from Kirby Stephen from Mr Crabtree. I have read elsewhere of
> claims to have got the last frame from MKM
> but mine was definitely one of the last.
> I still have the MKM catalogue I ordered my frameset from. There were
> seven models offered:-
> 1.) Metcalfe "BAR"
> 2.) Wes Mason "Gold Medal"
> 3.) Metcalfe "Tour de France"
> 4.) Wes Mason "Professional"
> 5.) MKM "Dominator"
> 6.) MKM "Ace"
> 7.) MKM "Track"
> ...(snip)... The directors of the company are listed as W I Crabtree and
> B Crabtree. The letters appear to have
> been signed by a P D Broadbent. The company address is given as Chapel
> Works, Skipton Road, New Park,
> Harrogate.....My frame number was 6184, so if the frames were numbered
> consecutively MKM can't have built
> that many compared to other lightweight builders." Chris
> AspinwallArthur Metcalf Dies
> "Arthur Metcalfe, a top British rider in the 1960s, died of
> cancer December 11th at his home in England. Metcalfe won the Milk Race
> in 1964 and, in the same year, had back-to-back stage wins in Canada's
> classic Tour du St. Laurent. Two years later he won both the National
> Road Race championships and the Best All-Rounder competition in the time
> trial. In 1967 and 1968 he raced in the Tour de France, once winner the
> combativity prize after one of his signature long, solo breakaways.
>
> In 1972, after retiring from racing, he founded a frame
> building business with another road star of the day, Wesley Mason.
> Metcalfe and Mason- the two M's in MKM- produced their frames from
> Chapel Works in Harrogate, so named because it was a former chapel. The
> building was owned by Ron Kitching, the 'K' in MKM. The business
> operated until the late 1970s.
>
> Metcalfe remained a roadie and was often to be seen on his
> bike in the Yorkshire countryside he loved. He was a supporter of
> Michael Breckon's National Byway."
> cyclingnews.com 12/12/02
>
>
> ''
> Looking forward to more comments on mkm cycles.
> Charles Nighbor
> Walnut Creek, CA