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
1930's Speedwell?
- WyvernRH
- Posts: 3190
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:41 pm
- Location: Newcastle NSW
-
- Posts: 1518
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:40 am
- Location: NSW/ACT
- Contact:
Re: 1930's Speedwell?
Postby Torana68 » Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:08 pm
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)
- WyvernRH
- Posts: 3190
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:41 pm
- Location: Newcastle NSW
Re: 1930's Speedwell?
Postby WyvernRH » Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:48 pm
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.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)
I will say it weighs a ton! Well up in the 15-20kg range I would say.
Cheers
Richard
- WyvernRH
- Posts: 3190
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:41 pm
- Location: Newcastle NSW
Re: 1930's Speedwell?
Postby WyvernRH » Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:17 pm
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
Not a lot of help I know but I'll attack the seat tube next.
Cheers
Richard
-
- Posts: 1518
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:40 am
- Location: NSW/ACT
- Contact:
Re: 1930's Speedwell?
Postby Torana68 » Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:27 pm
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 tubeWyvernRH 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
Jump to
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.