Dating my Dawes Galaxy from Pictures

[mk_83]

I'm new to cycling, partly having been inspired by the Olympics and partly by finding this bike in my shed (after having bought a home and moved in). I found it buried under a very overgrown section of the garden. I've done quite a lot of googling, but haven't found another bike similar to it. I have no idea whether it's from the 60s or 90s or later. Any help would be appreciated. I'd also be interested in any information you may know about the bike also.

Here's the snaps:

[deliquium]

The Reynolds 531 sticker is from 1984 onwards according to H Lloyd http://www.hlloydcycles.com/page5.htm

And as far as I remember the brown/bronze colour scheme was mid 80s also?

Someone will be along with more knowledge - re dating the components.

Some catalogue scans available here for £3.50

http://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/library/i ... ction.y=10

[Brucey]

rack, handlebars, brake levers etc are not original parts.

The paint scheme and transfers were IIRC not used before about 1983.

The hubs are likely original and will have a week:year date mark on them; so will the brake calipers.

SunTour BL mech details here;

http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/SunTour_BL_derailleur_(3200).html

most SunTour parts have a two-letter date code on them BTW.

Dawes seem to have used hubs fairly promptly, but other parts often hung around a while before they were used.

hth

cheers

[deliquium]

I have a hunch it's later than the 1984 531 sticker - which indicates only the main triangle was butted, hence the forks, chain and seat stays weren't (no 531 sticker on the fork blades also) and it is obviously not 531ST as were other models of the plain vanilla Galaxy. The forks aren't half chromed, there is no front lamp boss on right hand fork. The head badge looks later than 1984 too. The seat stays are earlier than the 90s? After which they had DAWES clumsily engraved on the seat clamp interface.

Pic here http://flic.kr/p/7rzLHz of the same typography - but a Dawes "Aristocrat" (yeah yeah)

And another with the same seat tube sticker http://flic.kr/p/7rDHHh

Guessing? Nearer the end of the 80s??

As Brucey pointed out, the Shimano 600 gear levers are not original

[Barrenfluffit]

Its still got centre pull brakes; I think cantilevers were early 90's.

[Brucey]

yes; I think the final Galaxies with centre-pulls had those ghastly final versions from Weinmann with the solid links instead of the straddle cable. Horrid horrid horrid; a sad end to a fine brake.

I'm wondering if the bike in question isn't more of a bitsa than I first supposed. I don't remember that crankset being fitted onto any galaxies, but I do remember it being fitted to late '80s dawes 'shadow' models and a load of Raleighs and so forth.

cheers

[deliquium]

SunTour BL mech details here;

http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/SunTour_BL_derailleur_(3200).html

most SunTour parts have a two-letter date code on them BTW.

Interesting link Brucey - don't ever recall that rear mech - also states a max 24 sprocket - so that can't be original Dawes spec other? Even though the OP photos seems to contradict that?

[deliquium]

Are there prizes for the first correct guess for the year of this frame?

I'm in with 1987. Paypal or cakes can be sent if I win

[Brucey]

Ok I think it is effectively a Dawes 'shadow' frame but with 'galaxy' stickers on it. It may have come out of the factory like that, who knows...

compare with this;


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-DAWES-SHADOW-HANDBUILT-RACING-BIKE-/280962673885?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item416aae2cdd

not sure if there wasn't another SunTour mech with the blue stripe on as well; can't quite tell if that is the 'BL' model or not. 24max seems a bit small; all other (V-luxe, cyclone etc) SunTour mechs would do better than that IIRC.[edit; the hanger on this vintage Galaxy and some other dawes frames is unusually long which adds a few teeth onto the max sprocket size too]

cheers

[gaz]

.

[deliquium]

One wonders why the history of Dawes (no more all over the place than say Raleigh) hasn't been collated. Especially given the "reverence" afforded to former (and current?) Galaxies?

[rich100]

What size are the wheels/tyres? 27 inch or 700c? (should be an indication on the tyre if not the rim itself).

Also only one bottle cage mount.

Confused as to why only 531 and not the ST tubeset?? Were earlier Galaxy's not ST?

I would hazard a guess at early to mid eighties.

[Bowedw]

I would say the Galaxy is from the early/mid eighties, It will have a 531 frame as per the badge, information can be found regarding the Reynolds tubing on the web and possibly their badge will help with the dating. My later galaxy has a badge 531st, a heavier tubing for touring, or your may be the same with the older badge. Having band on down tube levers instead of onto bosses will also help to date the bike and also angled rear wheel mounting lugs. Weinmann brakes and shimano 600 non index could also be a clue Assuming the tubing has not rusted badly around the bottom bracket and rear wheel bottom stays then you have a very nice basis for a multi purpose bike. If you are into lightness, no mudguards, no means of carrying anything then it's not really for you. The size also has to be suitable for you. If your not really into bikes, working on them yourself and have the knowledge to establishing what needs renewal or not could result in a lot of money being spent on this one, a new off the peg machine may be for you. Keep this one for the future in case you really get hooked. Do not give it to the local charity or tip as it's to good for that, it's the type of bike that lots of people value and appreciate for the good traditional workmanship, lugs, tubing etc. Sorry to waffle on, no doubt there are galaxy experts out there who will date it to the month. Keep us posted on your findings.

[Barrenfluffit]

The galaxy is a sought after tourer but I see the forks have no pannier attachment points. This would be normal on a road or racing bike but a tourer would need them. However i don't know wether galaxies from this era normally have them.

[breakwellmz]

yes; I think the final Galaxies with centre-pulls had those ghastly final versions from Weinmann with the solid links instead of the straddle cable. Horrid horrid horrid; a sad end to a fine brake.

I'm wondering if the bike in question isn't more of a bitsa than I first supposed. I don't remember that crankset being fitted onto any galaxies, but I do remember it being fitted to late '80s dawes 'shadow' models and a load of Raleighs and so forth.

cheers

I had assumed the linkage would be more efficient than the straddle cable,no?
More reliable/safer though.

I think it has a lot of potential to be a very pleasant,practical bike(Not tourer) with very little effort or money.

Cheers