Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

What were we thinking? The Flash appreciation society is obviously long overdue

Flash was a WA brand started and owned by one of the states greatest ever all rounders; Eddie Barron. Eddie shone on the track as well as on long distance events. He employed young riders in his shop and sponsored many club races. Despite his profile in the WA racing scene, and the fact that his frames were very well regarded, very little has been recorded about the history of Flash. Flash bikes, though produced in very small numbers compared to Swansea, another local frame builder of repute, have found their way all over the world. The lightning bolt on the headtube and forks makes these frames easy to recognise.

In the recent past I sold a Flash frame that was too big for me - silverlight picked that one up (and he's in Adelaide!). I bought another from a fellow WAHCC member and had a PM from another forumite, who'd "heard on the grapevine" that I had one, to discuss original equipment for a restoration (pics below) . Links to a couple of previous posts about Flash on BNA; Chrome frame sold in 2012 and someone chasing decals a few years back

A few months ago I set up a Flash Register on the WAHCC site. It is yet to be overrun with contributions but searching the forums tells me that a few of you lot have a Flash in the stable... SO LET"S SEE THEM

I picked up number 170 from a mate the other day
I only got the frame & cranks ,the pic below is just the parts I had laying around & not period correct

Congrats! It's a really nice frame, too big for me though. A question was asked on the FB Retro Cycle Marketplace, I just thought I'd post my answer over here for posterity...

I know a lot of the recent history: I picked this up off eBay as a part of a job lot a few years ago. Out of focus pics and lack of detail led to me taking a bit of a punt on it. The seller was a clear out guy who does a lot of deceased estates. The family were going to chuck it in a skip! I did a bit of net research into JL Froud. Looks as if he came from tassie and moved to Perth where he had brothers. Among the other parts it came with were a number of bent and broken drivetrain parts. I reckon he was big strong bloke! The frame has an older repaint, perhaps a retirement project? The headset looked nos but no other rebuilding had happened. It was way too big for me so I reluctantly moved it on. I sold it via the BNA forum to Mario Romeo who was the only person who showed any interest

From memory I first found out about it when the eBay listing was posted here on BNA

RobertFrith wrote:Congrats! It's a really nice frame, too big for me though. A question was asked on the FB Retro Cycle Marketplace, I just thought I'd post my answer over here for posterity...

I know a lot of the recent history: I picked this up off eBay as a part of a job lot a few years ago. Out of focus pics and lack of detail led to me taking a bit of a punt on it. The seller was a clear out guy who does a lot of deceased estates. The family were going to chuck it in a skip! I did a bit of net research into JL Froud. Looks as if he came from tassie and moved to Perth where he had brothers. Among the other parts it came with were a number of bent and broken drivetrain parts. I reckon he was big strong bloke! The frame has an older repaint, perhaps a retirement project? The headset looked nos but no other rebuilding had happened. It was way too big for me so I reluctantly moved it on. I sold it via the BNA forum to Mario Romeo who was the only person who showed any interest

From memory I first found out about it when the eBay listing was posted here on BNA

Thanks
I put it up on FB for my mate & I couldn't help myself
I had to sell my green track bike to help pay for it
Quiet happy with it & I will ride it occasionally
My mate who I bought it from , bought it from Mario

Just joined BNA because I've recently started restoring a couple of bikes.
Flash Appreciation Society caught my eye, I don't own a Flash but my Father did a long time ago.
My Father Jack Travers worked for Eddie Barron at Flash cycles in the late 40's and also raced a Flash, from conversations i had with my Father he belonged to the Midland Cycle Club and raced as a Pro rider on track and road. I still have a couple of his Trophies at home 1949 and 1950 I think shortly after that(aged 22) he went to Northern Territory and trained as a Stock Inspector did one race in Alice Springs which he had to win because half the town had bets on him. I remember him saying he wasn't race fit and it hurt a lot, he then gave the Flash away to a local kid and I think until he past away last year he never rode a bike again. So there was a least 1 Flash in the NT.
I will keep my eye out for a Flash one day I might find one. John

Was there ever a flash frame with f1 stamped on the bottom bracket shell.i have a frame with very old campag stickers on it as well as the word flash on the head stem its got track dropouts and thats about all i can gather about

Great question! In the early days Flash numbering seemed to have two number series - a three digit series for racers and a four digit series for roadsters (AKA commuters/ladies/kids bikes). Once they started importing Japanese built bike boom gear the serials go nuts and the only thing consistent with the early days is the occaisional locally built racers. F1?? not something that appeared in the pre bike boom days.

Some photos would help

Thanks for the info gday everone listen im no good technology wise but i have worked out how to add pictures to an email if you can send me an email address i have several images cheers

Don't think it's a Flash of the WA variety, but interesting frame nonetheless.

The drilled track ends say 'McBain', but everything else is a bit of a mystery. (OP is in Launceston, which lends a bit of weight to McBain.)

Never seen seat stay caps scalloped like that, nor the slots in the BB shell.

Thanks guys,
The scalloping in the top of the seat stays looks a bit like some Midland made Flash's, but I have to say that nothing else does, including the logo. I've never seen Columbus or Camag stickers on a Flash either. The scallop seat stay Flash's usually have a three digit frame number stamped on the drive side of the seat cluster - anything there?

Thanks for the info everyone the mc bain lead makes perfect sense as i rescued the frame from the launceston tip.

The WAHCC did a big exhibition of Flash Cycles in 2020. Pretty much everything club members learnt while putting the show together is available here.

The show will is about to get another run, this time at Revolutions Transport Museum at Whiteman Park - Oct 15th 2022 till Christmas.