Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

One of the locals turned up and donated this little gem to my collection.

As far as I can tell (from the headlug style) it is a pre WWII/ just post WWII Speedwell roadster (possible a 'Popular'?) It has the 'S' on the headtube and 'SPEEDWELL' in blocks on the downtube. BSA nickeled backpedal brake (which infers pre-war) and Phillips hand brake on the rear wheel (overkill?) Utility cranks so no Williams dating .The story is it was hung up in the barn after WWII and that was it. It looks totally original (sans saddle ) but the dynamo/headlight is fascinating. It is a dynamo by REMO of Germany with two terminals, live and return (neutral/earth whatever) and the headlight also has two terminals and two switches! Some one has swiped the whole thing over with what looks like water based khaki paint at some point which has eroded/beaded to show the original transfers and black paint.
Anyway I am interested if anyone can confirm a date from the frame number G 1379 stamped on the seat lug and also I am interested in the history of cycle lighting in Australia. This bike is obviously set up with a headlight to see by and two reflectors with white backing but no rear light. When did it become compulsory to display a rear light in Oz (or NSW)? There were big fights in the UK about this in the 1930's and it wasn't until post war that the rear light was required. Anyone know about this or even where to look?
Cheers
Richard

Richard post up a photo of the head tube lugs and "S", if its a metal cut out "S" its post war , no older than approx '51. Speedwell used a makers decal before that ( not painted "S" or similar)

Torana68 wrote:Richard post up a photo of the head tube lugs and "S", if its a metal cut out "S" its post war , no older than approx '51. Speedwell used a makers decal before that ( not painted "S" or similar)

Hmm, definitely no metal headbadge, from memory it looked like a tall white 'S' under the crap. I shall remove the headlight and clean up the headtube to get a better view. Maybe the seattube also, there may be more original badges there. It does say 'SPEEDWELL' in blocks on the downtube tho' - same font as my ladies roadster from the 40's.
I will say it weighs a ton! Well up in the 15-20kg range I would say.
Cheers
Richard

OK, carefully scraped off the crappy green lumps of paint on the headtube and what is there is the remains of a square to shield shaped varnish fix badge. All that's left is the silver backing and a bit of gold (a scroll?) at the bottom.
Not a lot of help I know but I'll attack the seat tube next.
Cheers
Richard

WyvernRH wrote:.............. All that's left is the silver backing and a bit of gold (a scroll?) at the bottom.
Not a lot of help I know but I'll attack the seat tube next. CheersRichard

that sounds more like it, seat tube wont tell you much it will be the earlier decal, still need a front on photo of the head tube