Re: [CR]Ephgrave O'Brien 1954 photos; plus double-chainwheel advice?

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 11:42:19 +0000
Subject: Re: [CR]Ephgrave O'Brien 1954 photos; plus double-chainwheel advice?
From: "Simon P-J" <simonpj@mac.com>
To: <usazorro@yahoo.com>, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <130412.89310.qm@web50209.mail.re2.yahoo.com>


Thanks John.
>From other responses that I've had it sounds like this 'wheat sheaf' motif was used by several builders. Also a common pub name and emblem, of course.

Wyndham Pulman-Jones Girton, Cambs., UK.

On 31/12/08 15:05, "John Barry" <usazorro@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Wyndham,
>
> I have a J.A. Holland that John Crump has advised me might have been made in
> 1952 that has a similar treatment on it's seat stay caps. However, instead of
> three up, and one across like yours, mine has three up, and three across. I
> have absolutely no idea if this has any significance or not.
>
> Wishing everyone all the best in the coming New Year,
>
> John Barry
> Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
>
>
> --- On Tue, 12/30/08, Simon P-J <simonpj@mac.com> wrote:
>
>> From: Simon P-J <simonpj@mac.com>
>> Subject: [CR]please
>> To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>> Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 5:44 PM
>> I would be grateful for any information about the frames
>> that Les Ephgrave
>> built for O'Brien, and also for your advice about an
>> appropriate
>> double-chainwheel to fit to this frame.
>>
>> A couple of years ago I acquired this frame, believed to be
>> a 1950's
>> Ephgrave built O'Brien. (Serial number: HP27 ORO):
>>
>> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/simonpj/Ephgrave+OBrien+1954/
>>
>> It was in a pretty sorry state, but cleaned up quite
>> nicely. It has
>> Campagnolo dropouts, and braze-ons for a front derailleur.
>> I'd like to build
>> it up BLRC style, and still have to find several parts,
>> namely: saddle,
>> seatpost, stem, bars, chain, a nice pair of sprints, a
>> bar-mounted bottle
>> set - and a chainset with a double-chainwheel.
>>
>> I have tried to fit a Duprat chainset with
>> double-chainwheel that I have -
>> and found that the bottom bracket axle which I had bought
>> as the right
>> length for a double-chainwheel was too short to clear the
>> bolts that attach
>> the double-chainwheel to the crank. What length should I be
>> looking for to
>> provide clearance for a double-chainwheel?
>>
>> The Duprat chainset and double-chainwheel are steel and
>> pretty heavy. I'd be
>> grateful for any recommendations for an appropriate
>> double-chainwheel for a
>> mid 50's BLRC-style bike. And tips on how to ensure a
>> matching BB axle.
>>
>> I have posted detailed photos of the frame. I'd
>> appreciate any thoughts on
>> any marks of Ephgrave's work. If you look closely at
>> the photos of the tops
>> of the seat stays you'll see that gold paint has worn
>> away from a pattern
>> which has three vertical lines crossed by one short line.
>> Is this an O'Brien
>> mark - or Ephgrave? - or one used by several builders?
>>
>> All the best for the New Year,
>>
>> Wyndham Pulman-Jones
>> Girton, Cambs., UK.