|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 24, 2014 18:26:32 GMT 2
Hello, This is my first post in this forum. I'm sorry that I do not speak French. I do speak Spanish, Italian and Greek. I can read French and understand most of what I read. I recently acquired an old bicycle which I think was made in France for a bicycle store in San Francisco.   More photos and some history of the bicycle shop's owner, Ernest Ohrt can be seen here The Ohrt Brothers and the Ohrt De Luxe on fattiretrading.comI am trying to find out who made the frame and in what year. It has Oscar Egg lugs and Reynolds 531 tubing. I also want to know what parts I should look for to put the bicycle back together properly. When I got it, it had the wrong wheels, derailleurs, shifters, pedals, and cranks. I think that most of the other parts are original. Any information that any of you can share will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by bduc61 on Nov 24, 2014 18:50:25 GMT 2
Welcome  VeloRetroCourse is becoming very international indeed , we are honoured  Where are you based ? in the States ? We'll try to help you as much as we can  |
|
|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 24, 2014 19:05:20 GMT 2
Thank you!
I am in San Quentin California, near San Francisco.
|
|
|
|
Post by bduc61 on Nov 24, 2014 19:16:28 GMT 2
Thank you! I am in San Quentin California, near San Francisco. Why do you believe the bike was manufactured in France ? because of the stem 22.0 diameter ? because the stem is a french AVA ? vintage bike specialists( which I am not ) will possibly comment but a possible clue could be the diameter of the seatpost as reynolds tubing sold in France has not always the same internal diameter as the one in the anglo saxon world. Romuald will add "his pinch of salt" |
|
|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 24, 2014 20:52:19 GMT 2
It also has a French threaded bottom bracket  I do not think that the spindle is original. In addition, when Ernest Ohrt was the coach of the US cycling team in Paris in 1924, he made a connection with Jean Thoman, who supplied bikes for the US team. I hope that you looked at my web page on the bike |
|
|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 24, 2014 20:53:58 GMT 2
|
|
|
|
Post by Romuald on Nov 24, 2014 21:42:18 GMT 2
Hi Chris,
I was quoted but I know little about Reynolds tubing pre or post WWII.
Oscar Egg did not make only luggs, he also make bicycles.
The way which the dropouts and the "terminaisons" of seat stays are finished make me think to him.
The best source of information remains the plate for the rear derailleur. Its form must make it possible to find which model corresponds and the date on which it appeared. I look at Berto book "The Dancing Chain" but didn't find (Sorry, I finally know very little things).
Try to answer on the forum "tonton velo".
|
|
|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 25, 2014 2:43:12 GMT 2
Thank you. I know Frank Berto, but did not think to ask him. I thought that if it was an Oscar Egg frame it would have been for the Super Champion derailleur...
|
|
|
|
Post by Romuald on Nov 25, 2014 9:18:08 GMT 2
|
|
|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 25, 2014 10:22:08 GMT 2
Thank you for posting these pictures and the link. This bike is similar. Do you know if Oscar Egg put serial numbers on the non drive side drop out?  |
|
filoo
Section Restreinte 
Posts: 2,003
|
Post by filoo on Nov 25, 2014 11:55:47 GMT 2
|
|
|
|
Post by Romuald on Nov 25, 2014 12:34:33 GMT 2
A thing to consider on this frame is the total lack of brazons, except the pump pegs.
The frame is neat and re enforcement plates are present at brake and chainstay bridges + the cuts of fork crown (not easy to do) = pretty well done framework. But who did it?
|
|
|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 25, 2014 18:12:24 GMT 2
Thank you filoo for the tips about the derailleur hanger and the catalog images. Did rear drop out spacing change before or after the war? Between three, four or five speeds?
|
|
|
|
Post by Munny on Nov 25, 2014 20:50:53 GMT 2
βεβαια (And I will limit my poor Grec to this : never learned to write or read)
So, of course the spacing changed.
I can't believe of 5 speeds prewar.
3 certainly, 4 ... with doubts
|
|
|
|
Post by fattiretrader on Nov 26, 2014 17:08:26 GMT 2
Ευχαριστώ! The rear axle spacing is 114.4 mm. Which leads me to believe that the frame was designed for a 3 or 4 speed freewheel. I also noticed a small letter c stamped into the drive side drop out.
Merci!
|
|
