Look what I found in the Garden Shed!
Clear out time . . . . and this is what I found:
This was my pride and joy back in the 70's. The frame was hand built for me by Youngs of Lewisham out of double butted tube (Reynolds, but I can't remember which number). I built the wheels myself, and all the kit is Shimano dura-ace (I couldn't afford the top of the range campagnolo). I used to respray the frame every year or so, and replace the decals.
I used to ride 27miles a day to work and back (right across London), rain or shine. When we moved out to Suffolk in 1983, it was only 15 miles to work, and I assumed I'd cycle, but one day on a Rural A road proved otherwise, and the bike drifted back through the shed, to be replaced by a mountain bike when the kids started cycling.
Amazingly, all I had to do was to pump up the tyres and get going - it's like wearing a very well fitting pair of training shoes - a thing of beauty and wonder (although the gearing is more suitable for a 25 year old!)
all the fittings are alloy or titanium, unfortunately the nuts and bolts aren't, so there's a little rust about:
Now - I'm sure there were some smaller front chain wheels around (for the old man in me). The Search Begins!
All the best