Rupert Bates Track Bike

[RobertFrith]

The pin striping hadn't been finished in these photos. Still had a layer of clear to go over it

That pin striping is beautiful. We need to know who did it. Or whodunnit

[tedsbikes]

Hi Rolf, Karen and all other "Bates" fans

I can't add any further info on the R headed Bates?? frame.

As a possible redherring maybe it was a Rolfe. Herb Rolfe had a shop in Carnegie in 40s, 50s and (maybe) 60s. He sold frames under his name but, as far as I know, didn't build them himself. Whether his frames had an R I can't say either. Are there any Rolfe frames still around?

Back to the Bates, or rather Rupe Bates himself. There was a full page article in the Melbourne Weekend Herald of Nov 16-17 1985 by Andrew Rule titled " 'Rupe' recalls the rides of his life". Very interesting. Would appreciate if someone could get this article uploaded. I don't have enough posts yet and I'm still working on my computer skills.

Thanks Ted

[Gibaud]

There seems to be a post with some confusion. Leo Bates was not Rupert Bates brother. He was his youngest son. He had another son Norm who worked in the Bates Cycles factory. Norm Bates dies a few years ago as did Rupert. How do I know..... I am Rupert's grand-daughter. I grew up on Bates bikes, cats and kittens from the factory and lots of memories.

Hi, This is my first post.
My father was a top Victorian and Australian rider, and Rupe made all his bikes, although under the umbrella of Malvern Star. The first bike was in 1923, and cost £18-5-0. My parents were close friends of Rita and Rupe, and I have many happy memories of them. My father's bikes - Malvern Star named - have been donated to the National Museum of Sport at the MCG, along with many Bates bikes, so the name will live on.
Rupe's shop/factory was in Queens Parade, Clifton Hill.

[scratchman]

Rupe's shop/factory was in Queens Parade, Clifton Hill.

was it this one?

[Claudiamavis]

If you're looking to restore your original Bates frame to it's original condition then Kenn Dickie is the man you're looking for. He did all of the line work (pin striping) on those frames from 1959 until the factory closed down. He's still working out of his garage in Melbourne and can be contacted through his son Glenn at [email protected] .