Hello and Welcome,
Earlier this week I ran across this "English Parliament Custom Built" road bike at one of my favorite "bike hunting" spots. I have not been able to find-out anything about it on the internet so far. I am hoping one of my readers here or "across the pond" might recognize the badge/builder and offer-up some information.
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Below: The wing-nut front axle nuts were the first thing that caught my eye. I haven`t seen these (except in photos on the internet) since approximately 1966. They were asking $44.95 US. This is about $20.00 more than this shop usually asks for an old ten-speed. So I negotiated them down to $35.00. I was quite pleased with myself as I wheeled it out to my little truck (lorry).
Below: If you click on this photo you can just make out the "Sturmey Archer" name as well as "England" stamped into the pie-plate.
Below: SunTour Spirt derailleur (not a misspelling). Not sure who the three piece cotter crank manufacturer is. I did not get a chance to check it for markings yet. The chrome-plating appears to be good quality. I think it will clean-up nicely. I just hope the cotter pins don`t give me too much trouble. I think I will give them a shot of WD40 a couple days in advance.
Below: The white fenders (mud guards)are BLUE MEL`S Light Weights (Made in England) They are in rough shape and will need to be replaced. I have not located white replacements yet. Maybe I will be doing the "painting plastic post" sooner than I thought.
Below: Here is the Milremo Stem. I have not found any markings on the bars yet. Maybe when I remove the tape I will find something.
Below: The brake-levers and calipers are Weinmann. I think the front wheel is stamped Norma-seal? (not very clear) The hub is stamped BRAM. The saddle is a Serfas "Tail-Bones". There is no way that is the original saddle. I`m guessing it had a Brooks Saddle of some sort.
Below: I wish it had a conventional men`s frame. It would have made a fine "personal ride" or bike for a bike restorer/enthusiast. But I am still very pleased to have run across something special from the land of my forefathers.
If anyone out there knows anything about this builder (Parliament) please leave a comment. I would greatly appreciate it. I also made some changes to the Physio fit/ Schwinn cruiser. I had to remove the detachable mud guard. I just could not get comfortable with the size. I have installed Bell mud-guards (fenders). They are very inexpensive, about $10.00 US. And they actually got pretty good reviews. I will be removing the rear one when the new rear rack and panniers arrives. I removed the Sun-Lite rack and used it on the bike I purchased it for, a 1975 Schwinn Traveler. I will be posting the Traveler real soon. Another road bike to commuter conversion.
Below: The Physiofit/Schwinn with the new mud-guards. For a bike I built just kind of "experimenting" it has worked-out real well. It is very comfortable and super smooth rider. Perfect bike for the short ride into town. And the Ze'Fal lights have worked out real well too. I like them so much I purchased another set for the Raleigh Technium 460.
Above: Since this pic was taken I have re-located the rear mud-guard from the seat-tube to the seat-post. I just wanted to see if it would fit attached to the tube. To get it back a little farther over the rear tire I decided to raise it up to the seat-post. The front guard did not clear the down tube until I trimmed it a little to get it in snug to the fork-brace/crown. I did this by marking it with a sharpie then shaving it down with a utility knife. I found the cutting smoother and easier after heating the blade with a propane torch. I just lit the torch and stood it up near-by on the table. So it was easy to keep the blade heated up for cutting.
Above: Coming soon The Schwinn Traveler conversion.
ALSO Check-Out the 2 New Video(s) Of The Week.
(1) This one`s for the girls (not bike related, but sports related)
(2) Wood Bike Speed Record Project (Sent in by Jay S) Thanks Jay
Until Next Time, Please Ride Safe
And Remember to Always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers, Hugh
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