Hello Mike
As a new member of the CR family, your is the first response I have made to a CR quest.
The short answer to your question is yes, a gear hanger can, and often is, used for such frames. Most frames before the sixties had drop-outs without integral hangers. Even those that did, in the 1950's, were cut off as they protruded beyond the width of the outside drop-out axle measurement and didn't allow a switch from the make of gear mech matched to the drop-out maker (Simplex, Cyclo etc).
I have a number of spare gear hangers depending on the make of mech you would want to use if you purchased the Poyner a slsited on eBay. These are common acquisitions at any cycle jumble in the UK if that is where you reside.
Let me know if and when I can help.
Regards Derek Athey
On Fri, Apr 23, 2010 at 11:59 AM, Mike Kelly <downlode@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I am on the hunt for a decent 531 or similar frame to build up into a
> commuting road bike, and am inexperienced in bike building.
> Looking at this fixie-fied Poyner bike -
>
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/
> - the seller tells me that it can't be readapted into a geared bike because
> the derailleur hanger has been removed.
> Would it be possible to get a new derailleur hanger ("adapter claw" in
> Sheldon Brown-ese) that fitted into the axle slot?
> Thanks,
> Mike