Cycling UK Forum

Is there a way to date an older model from the frame number.

you could try e-mailing Dawes but even they don't have complete records.

If you have a bike with original parts on it, they will be date coded. E.g. shimano parts have a two-letter date code on them, and going back, suntour mechs, weinmann brakes and maillard hubs were date marked.

If you post a photo here then the appearance of the frame, the BO's and its original colour will be a major clue too.

cheers

Not that I'm aware of, although my limited knowledge comes only from other threads on this forum.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=80227&p=709008

+1 for Brucey's suggestions.

I've found a catalogues online from 1993 and 1994 which helped me date the one I have.

Skywatcher wrote:I've found a catalogues online from 1993 and 1994

What colour are the bikes? Meteor Blue by any chance?

binsted wrote:Is there a way to date an older model from the frame number.

I don't know about frame numbers but there are other, easier ways. The frame colour is the best clue as Dawes changed it for each model year. Equipment is also a fair giveaway if there haven't been too many changes on the bike. If it's post-1982 I can probably tell you. I don't know the year it was introduced (Wikipedia says the Galaxy was introduced in 1971 but I think that's wrong).

This is a scan from I understand 1977:



That has the Super Galaxy but this brochure from at least 1972 doesn't appear to have it:



I'm going to guess that it was introduced in around 1975 so we should be able to date your bike fairly well.

that 1977 picture is interesting because the words say 'black' for the super gal but the picture is some other light colour, from which I'd assume that the previous year the super gal was that light colour. Note that the fork there is the same (quite heavy, quite sturdy) fork as was fitted to the galaxy model.

IIRC around 1979-1981 the super gal was still black, still had the cyclone mechs, TA chainset etc but gained DB main tubes, a 531 fork and a few other odds and ends which made it significantly lighter in weight. Unladen, this version of the Super gal was actually quite a nice ride.

However those lighter tubes, the flexy carrier, and (perhaps...) the 'lets let the lugs do the work' (no need to mitre properly... ) framebuilding approach did not make for a load lugger. I recall thinking that even a smallish 21" super gal was a bit whippy, even though it was clearly heavier built than some other bikes which (to me) felt stiffer. I didn't much like the look of the brazing in some cases; when you can see an incomplete fill, even when the paint is on pretty thick it doesn't exactly inspire confidence. In larger sizes, with a load on, I'd expect the net result to be pretty terrifying at times.

Feedback from Dawes and others (which presumably neatly skated over the inadequacies of how the tubes were actually stuck together) around this time may well have resulted in the development of the ST tubeset.

Me? I bought a properly built frame, in a lighter tubeset, fitted with decent carriers, and quite happily went touring using that.

cheers

LondonBikeCommuter wrote:

Skywatcher wrote:I've found a catalogues online from 1993 and 1994

What colour are the bikes? Meteor Blue by any chance?

Grey

binsted wrote:Is there a way to date an older model from the frame number.

Probably but I/we don't have the relevant data and nor it appears do Dawes due to the fire(s). Do you wish to date it in any other way or was your question simply that - is there a way to date an older model from the frame number?

IIRC (which I often don't) Dawes Super Galaxy was grey in 1989.

1990 green/violet blue: http://veterancycleclublibrary.org.uk/n ... ary%29.pdf

It certainly wasn't 1994: http://www.koedjoinery.com/Dawes_1994_1.pdf

1993 catalogue doesn't include a Super Galaxy http://www.koedjoinery.com/Dawes_1993_1.pdf but it's not a UK catalogue .

gaz wrote:
1993 catalogue doesn't include a Super Galaxy http://www.koedjoinery.com/Dawes_1993_1.pdf but it's not a UK catalogue .

The UK 1993 catalogue does have a fetching purple Super Galaxy. It also describes the Super Galaxy as having a thirty year pedigree which makes it 1963. There doesn't appear to be one in 1975 which makes me think that the pedigree they were referring to was the Galaxy of which the Super Galaxy was an off-spring. I'm putting my money on 1976 ATM for the first one and am happy to concur for 1989 for a grey one. The OP may reveal further clues this week . . .

horizon wrote:

gaz wrote:
1993 catalogue doesn't include a Super Galaxy http://www.koedjoinery.com/Dawes_1993_1.pdf but it's not a UK catalogue .

The UK 1993 catalogue does have a fetching purple Super Galaxy. It also describes the Super Galaxy as having a thirty year pedigree which makes it 1963. There doesn't appear to be one in 1975 which makes me think that the pedigree they were referring to was the Galaxy of which the Super Galaxy was an off-spring. I'm putting my money on 1976 ATM for the first one and am happy to concur for 1989 for a grey one. The OP may reveal further clues this week . . .

Thanks for suggestions to date, just been a bit busy to get back with piccies but heres a few












Wheels are Mavic A719 622

The other problem I noticed while out today was chain slipping in middle ring, the bike has had a new chain and cassette so I assume a worn middle ring ??

Thanks

The Deore LX cantis look like the ones on my Galaxy Twin which I'm sure is either a 1992/3 (looks like the '93 in the catalogue). I bought it new, I just can't read the hand scrawled date on the receipt .

I think the rear brake cable running inside the top tube is going to be the big help for the Dawes cogniscenti, on that basis I'm currently erring towards 1992.

Re skipping; the chain tension (for any given pedalling effort) will be higher in the middle ring than the outer ring and this will make skipping at the back more likely too. Don't assume that it is definitely slipping at the front without good proof that it is; for example, take a video of it slipping and go through it frame by frame. If you can wheel the bike forwards slowly whilst bearing down hard on the pedals you will often see slippage happening (the chain often rides up before it actually slips).

The LX cantis are probably original but the wheels are not. As well as the brake cable run the top tube is oversized; again this will help date the bike.

The LX cantis will be date marked. So will the LX cranks if they are still fitted. The original spec of the bike was probably a bit more like this one;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Super-Galaxy-Vintage-Touring-bike-Classic-Tourer-with-Reynolds-531-tubing-/321371326439

cheers

Just had an e-mail back from Dawes who have confirmed from pictures and serial number that it is a 1994 bike !!