Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

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hazarama
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby hazarama » Mon Sep 05, 2016 9:28 pm

Picked up a Two Star last night. Frame and fork are brilliantly straight and makes a great addition to my stable of commuters. Looks like the original paint was red with a light blue around the head tube and has a serial number 738 on the rear dropout.

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bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Tue Sep 06, 2016 11:25 am

#738
Not too sure abut this one. That number doesn't tell me anything.
The rear dropouts look like what Malvern Star used on their army models, C1940-1945. The front forks are probably not original to this bike. Can you look closely, or scrape a bit of paint off, there may be a DD prefix to the number 738, or more numbers. Also, take the forks out and check for serial numbers on the steerer tube.
Warren

Tinker
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Tinker » Wed Sep 07, 2016 1:10 am

bicyclepassion wrote:#738
Not too sure abut this one. That number doesn't tell me anything.
The rear dropouts look like what Malvern Star used on their army models, C1940-1945. The front forks are probably not original to this bike. Can you look closely, or scrape a bit of paint off, there may be a DD prefix to the number 738, or more numbers. Also, take the forks out and check for serial numbers on the steerer tube.
Warren
Looks like a D possibly stamped in just above the nut?

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hazarama
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby hazarama » Wed Sep 07, 2016 8:59 pm

Bit of scratching around found D ↑ D and the number is 5768

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bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:49 pm

Excellent. D epartment of D efence, or Defence Department, plus the 4 digit number, means that it was wartime production, for one of the services.

The red and blue paint under the existing is probably an immediate post-war repaint, as we can imagine that a large number of these bikes were re-purposed for civilian use after 1945/6.

At that time, when a bike was repainted, it was often done by one of the 'enamellers', using baked enamel with factory decals, to a very high standard.

Can you see whether the number is repeated on the forks? (steerer tube) I think these forks might be replacements.

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hazarama
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby hazarama » Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:36 pm

Took the fork off but there was no serial marking to be found anywhere on the steerer tube. Interestingly, the multiple paint layers on the fork match the layers on the rest of the frame. So if it's not original it's certainly been there a while.

Quite a fiddly process with the loose bearings but very glad I removed the fork as I found that the wedge was missing from the quill and the bolt was actually screwed into the base of the fork!

Also noticed a decent crack in the frame on the back of the seat tube :(

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I haven't noticed any instability from it but will be keeping my eye on it. Having a good look around the rest of the frame and fork, there are dings and dents everywhere, but it's such a solid frame it's still really straight and rides really well, especially with the 28" Dunlop Atlantic tyres it's now wearing.

Roinik
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Roinik » Mon Oct 03, 2016 10:12 am

Use a 3mm drillbit and drill out the tips of the crack. This reduces the stress at the crack tip and may stop it from progressing further. Braze it up after that and it should be ok for a bit longer.
You don't need the best kit, you just need the best attitude.

chrwar
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby chrwar » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:22 pm

Hi Warren, could you possibly tell me the vintage of a two star serial 2393?

Cheers, Chris

bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Tue Oct 25, 2016 7:19 am

I need more information and/or photos please.
Where is the number located?

chrwar
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby chrwar » Tue Oct 25, 2016 11:37 am

Hi mate, sorry my phone is not talking with my mac so I cant upload the photos. The serial number is on the right rear drop out. Once I can get my phone talking I will put up a photo.

bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:55 pm

Without seeing photos, a four digit number on the right hand rear dropout usually means 1960's.

LG
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby LG » Sun Nov 27, 2016 4:49 pm

Not pre-1930s but hopefully useful for you. This bike was purchased new in 1976 in Darwin by a fella who raced in Belgium for a couple years but had returned to Aus. It was his race bike for several years afterwards. Only numbers on it are from the small seat tube sticker (A 47133) - no idea what that's about, and the 11 on the under side of the bottom bracket. Still all original components (Zeus, Weinmann, Unicanitor, unknown stem - maybe Cinelli) with the exception of a replaced rear wheel, pedals and bars. Campag ends, seat post is 26.8mm with a shim.
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LG = Low Gear

sdivra
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby sdivra » Sun Nov 27, 2016 8:00 pm

Hi I have a Malvern Star 3 Star and am trying work out how old it is.

Serial Number back right dropout horizontal - 10437

Bottom Bracket stamped BSA A83

Has 1972 Sturmey Archer Wheelset.

Images to come

bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Tue Nov 29, 2016 6:29 pm

10437, 3 star: this number does not make sense for a 3 star. There should be a prefix there somewhere. '1M' for instance. Warren

bog1953
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bog1953 » Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:08 pm

Hi, I bought this 5 Star Malvern Star bike today. I bought it because I quite like the lugs and the fact that it's a single speed. My main focus has been Italian steel bikes, so my knowledge of Malvern Star bikes is very limited. I assume it's a 1950's bike and of reasonable quality? Any info would be greatly appreciated. BBS stamp is BSA 7513. By the way this hasn't been bought to flip, it won't appear on any site for sale. I intend to restore it. cheers
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bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Mon Dec 05, 2016 6:35 pm

The number for the 5 star would normally be on the right hand rear dropout. I think all the parts are later replacements, including possibly the forks. The frame is probably 1945 to 48 or so. Scrape some paint off and see if there is a number somewhere. The BSA 7513 is just the casting number of the bb shell.
Take the forks out and see if anything is stamped on the steerer tube.
Warren

bog1953
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bog1953 » Mon Dec 05, 2016 7:20 pm

As I read your response a light went off in my brain, of course I remembered that it was the casting number. I did realize that the parts were a later addition, as is the paint job. On reading your response I rushed outside to find the enclosed serial numbers. As I read it P6 over 26783. The fork will have to wait for another day. I do greatly appreciate your time and knowledge that you share so freely with those on this forum. thank you.
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bog1953
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bog1953 » Mon Dec 05, 2016 7:39 pm

I couldn't wait so I did take the fork off. The give away that it might not be the original fork was the marker price of 14.95. I'm guessing that we weren't using dollars and cents back in the 40's. lol

bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Mon Dec 05, 2016 8:19 pm

P6 would suggest built in Perth in 1946. Which is consistent with the lugs and brake bridge. If that frame could talk it could tell some tales. The cranks might be original.
Well worth saving.

DR1973
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby DR1973 » Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:02 pm

Hi, I have a 5 star that was my Grandfathers and am still riding it, rear drop out is stamped with 8A702. The bottom bracket is stamped British made GR23. I would like to know what year that this frame was made, if someone could advise it would be appreciated.

bicyclepassion
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby bicyclepassion » Tue Dec 06, 2016 9:13 pm

8A 702 : built in Adelaide 1948.

GR23 is the bottom bracket shell casting number, or part number. These shells were used in many thousands of Australian made bikes, not just Malvern Star. Hence GR23 is the most often frame number cited for all brands.

I wonder how many generations of your family will ride this bike? A good incentive to have children!

The oldest bike I ride regularly, and safely, is 113 years old now, and I see no reason that it won't still be ridden in 100 years from now. My oldest Malvern Star just turned 90, and still going strong.

Hopefully your grandfathers bike will enjoy a similar fate.

Idle_hands
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Idle_hands » Sun Jan 01, 2017 9:26 pm

I have a 2 star which I'm guessing is similar age to one above P6 25075 on right track style dropout

Similar age?

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Clydesdale Scot
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Clydesdale Scot » Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:36 am

Welcome!
as I wrote over on Aussievelos, 1946, Perth build

have a look through these advertisements and you will get an idea of the equipment on the frame, paint styles and decals
eg http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/95587435
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/75946728

joe shmutz
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby joe shmutz » Wed Feb 01, 2017 3:40 pm

hi i have several old malvern star bikes but one is a 20" 2 stars on the steer tube and 1 on top of each fork leg the serial number on the rear drop out is 12764

Aburrell
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Re: Pre 1930 Malvern Star serial numbers

Postby Aburrell » Sat Feb 18, 2017 9:19 pm

Hi,

I have recently acquired a bike and it looks like a Malvern style but was hoping someone could confirm this. The serial on the frame (seat post) is A97524 with a 34 underneath (see image links below).

It has a Perry England 2 star rear hub/brake and 28 inch wheels. The frame does not have any malvern star markings.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

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