How can I find out the date of manufacture for my Alan frame ?

[0562Rich]

Hi

I have recently purchased an Alan frame 'Blue Anodised' with the following details:

52x53 74 (which I believe are the top tube, seat tube and angle)

then 139411 (is that 13th Nov 94 ?)

BREV ALAN

No date on the seat tube as some research has suggested

I want to re-build this back to its original state where possible so knowing the date will enable me to buy the correct spec components

Any information is welcome

[Brucey]

frame no does not appear to contain the date; there ought to be a separate stamping (usually on the seat tube like you say) for that. More info here

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22654&start=0

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/160138/

cheers

[0562Rich]

Thanks Brucey

I will remove the decals maybe its hidden !

Regards

[pwa]

I always liked the look of those frames. Tastefully bling, if that is possible. What are they made of? Aluminium alloy lugs and ally tubes? Or steel tubes?

[fastpedaller]

I always liked the look of those frames. Tastefully bling, if that is possible. What are they made of? Aluminium alloy lugs and ally tubes? Or steel tubes?

A good job we have variety,/ different styles otherwise it would be a boring World! - I always thought they looked like a load of scaffolding

[nigelnightmare]

According to this site:-
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/160138/

It should be stamped on the top of the seat tube RHS ALAN (+ 3 or 4 numbers) the last two = the year, the first = the month.
E.g. ALAN183 = Jan 1983

HTH

[pq]

Yes, It is good we all have different tastes. I had a frame like that one in gold and hated it, but nevertheless used it for a long time as a winter bike. My opinion (which is irrelevant) aside, I did find the forks rather alarming. The round blades meant a lot of flex under hard braking - I ended up replacing mine with normal oval bladed steel forks. I don't know whether the originals were really in danger of breaking but I certainly didn't trust them - and am of the view that round blades are fine on track bikes but nowhere else.

Anyway, enough of my negativity, it is a classic and it's good you'll be restoring it.