One for the collective.....
Does anyone out there know of, or indeed possess a Bill Twiddle 'Lancaster Special'' or any of his bikes ? There were two Bill Twiddles (senior and junior) who were building and racing their bikes in Liverpool in the pre and post war periods. I'm fortunate to own one of them after a long, long search and wait. I'm a relative of Bill twiddle and I've restored the bike and it sits 'proudly' on my study wall. Although the components are not too age specific (yet). It comes out once year for the 'Eroica'.
If any one does have one I'd very much appreciate any info you have on your bike (mainly frame Nos, components etc). To the best of my knowledge there are only a handful that have survived but I'm sure there must be some lurking in a forgotten shed or garage.
Cheers.
WG Twiddle. Lancaster Special
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9494arnold
- Posts: 1208
- Joined: 21 Jan 2007, 3:13pm
Re: WG Twiddle. Lancaster Special
If you aren't a Member I would recommend that you look at joining the Veteran Cycle Club.
Lots of resources within the club.
Lots of resources within the club.
Re: WG Twiddle. Lancaster Special
Thanks for the advice. Yes I've researched in the veteran cycle club plus archived club minutes of various Liverpool cycling clubs . Just a long shot that there may be more out there.
Re: WG Twiddle. Lancaster Special
Longshot as just seen your post from few years back and I’ve only just started to research WG Twiddle because … yes indeed I’ve got a Lancashire Special frame “lurking” in my garage! Also got another frame with a few original bits which is just about rideable! Let me know if of interest?
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stephenmwilliams
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 3 Mar 2023, 11:34pm
Re: WG Twiddle. Lancaster Special
Ive just picked up a Twiddle Lancaster Special frame and am interested to find out more. Serial number 2818 which is curious as I believe there are two formats 4 figure number with year prefix and five-figure number with year suffix. That would make this 1928. Most suggest Bill Twiddle started making frames in the 30s. Does anyone else have a Twiddle frame?
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heatherblundelluk
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 9 Apr 2023, 5:20pm
Re: WG Twiddle. Lancaster Special
Hello,
We have an old W.G.Twiddle tandem frame in the garage. My mum and dad rode it in the 60s/70s, but I think it was second hand when they got it. Someone told us that it could be a very early one.
Let me know if you’d like more info.
Heather Wright
We have an old W.G.Twiddle tandem frame in the garage. My mum and dad rode it in the 60s/70s, but I think it was second hand when they got it. Someone told us that it could be a very early one.
Let me know if you’d like more info.
Heather Wright
Re: WG Twiddle. Lancaster Special
Not sure if this post is still of interest but I do have a W G Twiddle. It's stored in my loft partially dismantled, and probably the only bike I have that I'll never get rid of.
It was built specifically for me by Bill Twiddle junior in 1979 when I was at college in Liverpool.
I came across Mr Twiddle after I'd ploughed my Freddie Grubb into the back of a parked car whilst cycling head down against heavy rain and just never saw the parked car. Anyway, I ended up with stitches in my right eyebrow and written off forks on my Grubb. I subsequently went into Twiddle's premises on Lawrence Road to see if I could get a new set of forks. I did, but became very interested in acquiring a Twiddle and eventually persuaded Mr Twiddle to build me a fully equipped bike. He wasn't keen at first as his interest at that time was specifically racing frames; quite short and very stiff but still using Reynolds double butted steel tubing. My request was for a sports tourer as riding round the UK from youth hostel to youth hostel was my bag at the time. I eventually persuaded him to build me the bike which I had finished in Champagne and Blue colourway with my name hand sign written on the cross tube. I cannot remember how much I paid for it, but I do remember my very first ride on it; an ambitious jaunt from Lawrence Road back to my parent's house in Blackburn.
Me and that bike travelled thousands of miles around the UK and Ireland, gathering the patina of chips, scuffs and scratches as we went.
It's up in the loft now under a dust sheet but still kitted-out with all the original equipment and accessories, waiting for me to renovate it. My
Mr Twiddle got sidelined when I ventured into mountain biking for a while, and after that I ran around on a Merlin Maven thinking I might get into club racing. My current ride is a Ribble CRGe which I am completely enamoured of.
If you want any more detail of my Twiddle let me know and I'll crawl under the dust sheet with it. This could be the impetus I need to refurb that trusty steed.
It was built specifically for me by Bill Twiddle junior in 1979 when I was at college in Liverpool.
I came across Mr Twiddle after I'd ploughed my Freddie Grubb into the back of a parked car whilst cycling head down against heavy rain and just never saw the parked car. Anyway, I ended up with stitches in my right eyebrow and written off forks on my Grubb. I subsequently went into Twiddle's premises on Lawrence Road to see if I could get a new set of forks. I did, but became very interested in acquiring a Twiddle and eventually persuaded Mr Twiddle to build me a fully equipped bike. He wasn't keen at first as his interest at that time was specifically racing frames; quite short and very stiff but still using Reynolds double butted steel tubing. My request was for a sports tourer as riding round the UK from youth hostel to youth hostel was my bag at the time. I eventually persuaded him to build me the bike which I had finished in Champagne and Blue colourway with my name hand sign written on the cross tube. I cannot remember how much I paid for it, but I do remember my very first ride on it; an ambitious jaunt from Lawrence Road back to my parent's house in Blackburn.
Me and that bike travelled thousands of miles around the UK and Ireland, gathering the patina of chips, scuffs and scratches as we went.
It's up in the loft now under a dust sheet but still kitted-out with all the original equipment and accessories, waiting for me to renovate it. My
Mr Twiddle got sidelined when I ventured into mountain biking for a while, and after that I ran around on a Merlin Maven thinking I might get into club racing. My current ride is a Ribble CRGe which I am completely enamoured of.
If you want any more detail of my Twiddle let me know and I'll crawl under the dust sheet with it. This could be the impetus I need to refurb that trusty steed.