Norris,
Alex Singer numbered his frames with 3,4 or 5 digit digits depending on when the frame was built. Unlike some other frame builders like Cinelli and Masi USA, the serial numbers have never corresponded to the year the frame was built, but appear to be sequential.
I have a 1969 Alex Singer racer numbered 1364 and a 1974 AS 650b numbered 1898. The chrome 1985 Singer is 25xx. The 1949 Singer is in the 900's I think.
Regards,
Mike Schmidt Millington, NJ USA
On 5/18/09 5:17 PM, "Norris Lockley" <norris.lockley@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Bonjour a tous et a toutes.
>
> I am still over in France picking up a few, but not too many, interesting
> bikes and frames..and looking at some extremely rare stuff owned by one of
> Ebay's French sellers.
>
> I have today just dismantled a lady's bike that was spray-painted all over in
> red lead rust inhibitor...except for the places where the previous owner had
> lavished some gloss black. Judicious rubbing with very fine wet-and-dry paper
> has revealed that the frame was originally very light champagne with blue
> box-lining...but I haven't found any decals..and there has never been a
> head-badge.
>
> The frame is clearly very class and beautifully built and stems from the 30s
> or 40s. I was led to believe that it is a Reyhand, but I am not too sure...it
> certainly has the excellent construction associated with Reyhand frames
> though..but I think it something else.
>
> It has a quite interesting aluminium chainguard embossed with AS....possibly
> therefore Alex Singer ??? The bike was sold to me by a bourgeoise Parisienne
> woman cyclist who lived in an apartment not all that far away from Singer's
> shop.
>
> Never having really scrutinised Singer machines before in the detail that I am
> going over this one, I am unacquainted with how Singer numbered his frames
> ..and whereabouts. Additionally...did Singer ever build women's frames in an
> entirely lugless style reminiscent of Reyhands ? For that matter where did
> Reyhand number his frames? I have two, possibly three, in the UK and none of
> them has a number.
>
> All suggestions would be appreciated
>
> Au revoir
>
> Norris Lockley, Thauvenay-en-Sancerroise, France