moulton model identification

[alan dun]

Can anyone please help. I am trying to identify which model of Moulton this is, on behalf of the daughter of a fellow cycling enthusiast friend, who has sadly died.
Any info on which Moulton model and approx date would be much appreciated, in order that we can gauge a fair sell price, as she intends to sell it.
I have looked at Moulton's website and am confused by the variety of types and models.
The number on the B/B is 426031.
Thanks for any help.
Alan

[philvantwo]

Mick F will know!!!

[Brucey]

it looks like an AM7 to me. Some of the components on it are clearly from the 1980s so that'd be my guess as to the age of the machine too.

It is a very similar specification to the machine here

https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/1984-alex-moulton-am7-separable-moultons-own-exhibition-model/

but with a different rear carrier. In fact the carrier and bag look fairly recent, so there may be some original parts to be found somewhere, possibly a small loop which replaces the rear carrier. (edit or the large rear carrier, which was commonly supplied with AM7s originally)

cheers

[simonineaston]

Plus one for an '80s Moulton AM7, made in the workshop at The Hall, Bradford upon Avon. The serial number quoted, looks like a late model.

[Brucey]

the link I posted shows how to (according to noted Moulton historian Tony Hadland) decipher the frame number correctly, so 426031 means

4 = 1984
26 = week 26
031 = the 31st bike made that week.

cheers

[Brucey]

this is a more recent AM model



which is fitted with the same kind of rear carrier. This type of rear carrier wasn't available in the 1980s, so is indeed a more recent fitment. In the photo above you can see a triangulating stay attached to the rear carrier; this is missing in the OP's photo which means (I think) the carrier could not accept any load without there being considerable risk of (expensive) frame damage.

cheers

[alan dun]

This is so helpful. Thank you guys.
Alan

[Mick F]

Mick F will know!!!

1. No I don't.
2. If the serial number is on the BB, it's very different to mine, as mine is on the frame on the cross-member of the "divide".
3. It's a much posher and more expensiver model than my humble TSR despite all my modifications.

4. Even though it's posher than mine, I don't think it'll be any better than mine.

[alan dun]

Posh eh !

[iandusud]

It is an early AM7. The giveaways are the CLB brakes and the non-indexed gears. The "Day Bag" and associated rack are later additions. It looks to be in very good condition if original and unrestored.

[alan dun]

Interesting, thanks.
Yes, the bike is in lovely condition, hardly used and well looked after.
I feel responsible now to find it a good home !
A

[simonineaston]

An enthusiast's machine, as has already been noted by the OP and kitted out as we'd expect. Am imagining that some lovely coutryside has been espied from aboard that bike. Nice.

[philvantwo]

I must say I like the colour more than Mick F's Maybe he'll buy it while his Mrs has gone off on a jolly?

[Brucey]

I must say I like the colour....

IIRC it was one of just a few colours to start with.... it may even have been the only colour for a while, so you would have been happy in the 1980s....

cheers

[iandusud]

I must say I like the colour....

IIRC it was one of just a few colours to start with.... it may even have been the only colour for a while, so you would have been happy in the 1980s....

cheers

It was the only colour available on the original AMs: AM7 and AM2, followed by AM5. With the introduction of the AM14 came the blue for the AM14 only, then red on the Jubilee and yellow on the ATB.