I have posted photos of a recently acquired Hetchins to Wool Jersey:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
The bike (serial# H25666) has been identified by the Hetchins Register as a Brilliant 1a Tourer: "This cycle was a special order and was built with earlier 'Brilliant' lugs and variety of parts to customers request. It was sent from Tottenham on 8th September 1954 to the dealers, Hardesty Bros. of Portsmouth at a trade price of £15-5s-3d, with their mark up (22.1/2%) & purchase tax the cost to the customer would have been well over £20, a considerable sum even for a Hetchins."
Though sold in 1954 the frame has been made up with pre-war Brilliant lugs, with the shorter points, and with the earlier, fatter, curly stays. The dro p outs are Agrati.
There are lamp bosses on both sides of the front forks, which suggests that the original owner intended to travel over the channel from Portsmouth to tour in France.
The rear brake bridge is still in a virgin state reflecting the fitting of the Sturmey ASC hub.
The rims were originally 650's, but the wheels have been built back up on 700c's, which just fit inside the Bluemels as long as the tyres are 28mm or narrower.
I have done nothing with the bike so far apart from give the frame a good cut, polish and wax (came up very nicely), and fit some Continental 4 Seaso n tyres so that I can get out riding on it - which has been a huge pleasure.
My question is, should I restore the bike, or leave it pretty much in its current state? The dull, brownish maroon is definitely not the best colour for showing off a Hetchins frame - but it does seem in keeping with the un-glamorous British 1950's, and with the bike's role as a practical continental tourer. Though far from beautiful, the bike does look right somehow as it is.
The decision partly boils down to whether the current paint finish is original or not. If this really is how the bike was originally I would prefer to keep it that way. The person I bought the bike from (not the original owner) thought the paint was original. The fork steerer doesn't seem to show any other colour apart from the maroon (last photo on the Wool Jersey set) - but then I guess if the maroon is a re-spray then it might have covered all of the previous colour. Then again, why would anyone choos e this maroon for a re-spray?
The seat tube transfer is not original, being a later type. The down tube transfer may also not be original. Does that definitely point to the paint not being original (they are applied over the paint)?
I think I will keep the 700c rims, because I do like to be able to have a good choice of tyres to make best use of the bike.
I would be very grateful for any opinions or suggestions about the bike. (B y the way, can anyone identify the handlebars?)
Thanks,
Wyndham Pulman-Jones
Girton, Cambs., UK.