Cycling UK Forum

I have aquired a really nicely built vintage touring frame. It has been resprayed by Ellis-Briggs and fitted with E-B transfers, but its not one of theirs.
The frame number is 12886, which is stamped on the BB; on the circumference oof the drive side. that suugests that it was 128th frame built in 1986 (or possibly 1968).
It has Cinelli-type long point lugs that have been nicely thinned. the braze breather holes have been carefully filled. The front drop-outs are campag. the rear are Shimano. Having taken it back to bare metal, I see that it has "Reynolds 531 butted" lightly stamped on both the top-tube and down tube.
The seat tube takes a 27.0 seat pin.
It looks like a 1986 frame, but on the other hand, the rear ends are spaced at 120, annd it has mafac cantilever brake studs (thhe ones with the single spring hole) Which point to an earlier frame.
It has been beautifully built, and, if it really is the 128th frame made in that year, points to a high output builder; a combination thaat makes me think of Mercian (maybe a KOM)
If its not a Mercian, can anyone suggest what it might be? Ian

Photos please

If you contact Mercian they will respond about frame numbers.

photos and refer to Mercian...? I have a friend who worked at Mercian and correctly id'd a frame as being a Mercian recently.

ian peacock wrote:The frame number is 12886

If it's a Mercian, it is frame number 128 of 1986.
There should also be another number on the BB shell signifying the particular person that made it. Mine is 83386 with a number 3 nearby. I never did find out who No3 was.

Maybe number 86 of 1928 With 120 dropout (unless it's a single speed) I'd be surprised it was built in 1988

Mick F.......Patrick McGoohan was number 6!!

Don't make me laugh too much, I keep coughing.

philvantwo wrote:Mick F.......Patrick McGoohan was number 6!!

it would have been a whole different show if he'd had it stamped on his, er, bottom bracket, though....

cheers

Oh, that's very helpful that is. I know, I'll build it up with a big wheel at the front and a little one at the back and call it "The Prisoner"

are there photographs of this mysterious frame that have been imprisoned somewhere...?

cheers

Morning Brucey,, I'll sort out a Photo.

Our most recent "Is this a Mercian?" thread. May have a few pointers.

Attached photos of putative Mercian, Seat cluster, frame, and front end. I have brazed on the cable stops, centre-pull cable hanger, and gear lever bosses that are visible in the photo. I have removed (unbrazed?) the cantilever pivots. I am going to fit Weinman long stirrup centre pull brakes.

The seat tube lugs don't look like Mercian.