need vintage MERLIN racing cycle id + rider STAN ARNOLD-pics

[pinballswanted]

hey guys,
first post here and its about my MERLIN racing bike and its history
basically im after any info as to help identify when it was made, and anything about the rider as im
guessing this may have been used as a genuine racing bike when new as its fitted with what seems to be quality
components and feels very lightweight for a somewhat older bike and is in very original unrestored condition (and has guys name painted on the frame)
cant find much about it/them on the net so hoping there are some experts on here that can help
i have a few unusual bikes and am not sure if i will be selling this one or using at this stage but would appreciate any help/advice either way
other thing is im not sure of wheel size as its either 24" if wheel is measured inside of rim to inside or 26" if measured outer edge of whitewall to
outer edge, whats the correct way for doing that
thanks jeff

[hartleymartin]

Firstly, this probable belongs in the Vintage and Retro section.

Looking at that bicycle I hesitate to call it a "racing bicycle". I think it's more of a "classic lightweight" (these were used for racing, but probably more intended for "club cycling"). Reynolds 531 frame, alloy parts everywhere else (Cinelli 'bars and stem!), but the huge difference between the large and small chainring is either a modification or intended for touring/club riding.

Measure the diameter of the rim. On a bicycle like this it's probably one of: 597mm, 622mm or 630mm.

What is the story with your acquisition of this particular bicycle. It looks like it was custom built for "Stan Arnold" (do you know who he was?)

Either way, it is an extremely nice and highly desirable machine.

You may want to contact the people at this website (US): http://www.merlinbike.com/
Or perhaps at this website (UK): http://www.merlincycles.co.uk

[il padrone]

+1 to the idea that this is a lightweight tourer. The TA chainrings with a wide range were most definitely touring equipment and same for the SunTour Cyclone II rear derailleur. I'd date this at approx late 70s to early 80s going by the componentry which all looks to be pretty original. A bit of work with the metal polish should bring a lot of it up nicely. TA chainrings, when new, had a mirror finish that would reflect onto the tarmac . Wheels are in all likelihood 27" (630mm bead diameter) and it has some very nice Super Champion rims.

A bike that may well have been used for club runs, fast day tours and Audax events.

[im_no_pro]

Firstly, this probable belongs in the Vintage and Retro section.

Correct. Now moved.

Welcome aboard PBW, plenty of people around here who should be able to at least point you in the right direction. Nice looking machine, unfortunately I cant tell you squat about it.

[531db]

You have an early 1970's Merlin by Bob Jackson of Leeds UK. It is a quality lightweight in Reynolds 531db , very likely bespoke as opposed to 'off the peg' and was likely built for a UK rider/clubman by the name of Stan Arnold.

Further info on Merlin/Bob Jackson at www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/history.php

[WyvernRH]

You have an early 1970's Merlin by Bob Jackson of Leeds UK. It is a quality lightweight in Reynolds 531db , very likely bespoke as opposed to 'off the peg' and was likely built for a UK rider/clubman by the name of Stan Arnold.

Further info on Merlin/Bob Jackson at http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/history.php

Beat me to it!
This bike, as Il padrone says is definately a fast tourer or Audax machine (meant for someone a bit shorter than the present rider by looking at the stem and saddle positions )
That it was seen as such by at least one of its owners is given away by the CTC and AIT stickers on the frame. This bike is equipped very much like the original incarnation of my Claud Butler Super Courier which I used as a tourer around a large amount of the UK in the 70's and 80's. 'Gentleman' rims were quite heavy and could take a wide range of tyre widths but wider widths fitted better. The current ones look a bit skinny?
Cheers
Richard

[hartleymartin]

Beat me to it!
This bike, as Il padrone says is definately a fast tourer or Audax machine (meant for someone a bit shorter than the present rider by looking at the stem and saddle positions )
That it was seen as such by at least one of its owners is given away by the CTC and AIT stickers on the frame. This bike is equipped very much like the original incarnation of my Claud Butler Super Courier which I used as a tourer around a large amount of the UK in the 70's and 80's. 'Gentleman' rims were quite heavy and could take a wide range of tyre widths but wider widths fitted better. The current ones look a bit skinny?
Cheers
Richard

I'd say those tyres are about 32mm. White-walls (or gum-walls as they may have originally been) tend to make tyres appear thinner than they really are.

[spirito]

Nice bike. I think it's cool just the way it is ... except you might want to drop that stem a little bit. There are some tall stems with a long inserted portion like the Nitto Technomic but I think yours is perhaps a normal length. For your safety I would recommend the inserted portion be at least an inch and a half. I might be wrong ... I'd rather sound like a goose and say "Warning: Will Robinson" thaqn hear that you need to sell the bike to pay for new front teeth

[jonbays]

+1 more for dropping them stem before it breaks.

This is a small frame 19-20" for someone 5'6" odd I would guess.

You can ride a smaller frame than ideal if you are over that height but only really by taking an aggressive racing position.

This is a lovely old English bike though well worth doing up but I am worried it's too small for you and however nice it is if it doesn't fit it's just a garage ornament.

[pinballswanted]

thanks for the info guys

What is the story with your acquisition of this particular bicycle. It looks like it was custom built for "Stan Arnold" (do you know who he was?)

i could ramble off a magical story about how i met some legendary figure and he passed this on to me but basically just got lucky and purchased at an outdoor country auction recently

Nice bike. I think it's cool just the way it is ... except you might want to drop that stem a little bit. There are some tall stems with a long inserted portion like the Nitto Technomic but I think yours is perhaps a normal length. For your safety I would recommend the inserted portion be at least an inch and a half. I might be wrong ... I'd rather sound like a goose and say "Warning: Will Robinson" thaqn hear that you need to sell the bike to pay for new front teeth

will take that advice if i end up using, already missing the teeth though

This is a small frame 19-20" for someone 5'6" odd I would guess.

You can ride a smaller frame than ideal if you are over that height but only really by taking an aggressive racing position.

im 6' 2" and it does feel a bit too small, havent rode it yet though
am going to spend some time cleaning up the chromework and lightly polishing the paint etc and see how she comes up
thanks again guys and does anyone know of STAN ARNOLD and/or his personal history with regards to bikes

jeff

[spirito]

im 6' 2" and it does feel a bit too small, havent rode it yet though
am going to spend some time cleaning up the chromework and lightly polishing the paint etc and see how she comes up

Hey Jeff,

before you go through all the time and effort I should point out that it's too small for you .. by a lot !! Pass or trade it on to someone who is better sized for it (5'6" or shorter) and save your time/money for a bike more your size.

[ghettro]

damn, that is nice although it looks quite small, like a 52/54? If you are passing it on I may be interested - although you're in adelaide.

[pinballswanted]

before you go through all the time and effort I should point out that it's too small for you .. by a lot !! Pass or trade it on to someone who is better sized for it (5'6" or shorter) and save your time/money for a bike more your size.

was planning on cleaning up regardless as its such a nice looking bike and should come up well

damn, that is nice although it looks quite small, like a 52/54? If you are passing it on I may be interested - although you're in adelaide.

not sure what its worth so if i did sell (which im not doing at the moment) was planning on sticking it on ebay and letting the market decide unless i got some ridiculous offer
thanks guys