[Rob Dean]

Hello everyone

I have just registered here having bought my first Moulton F Frame so I have written a long meandering message as a way of introducing myself.

The reason I bought a Moulton was simply by chance really as I was looking for a bike with gears to tootle about on and possibly start doing some longer distance rides if the feeling takes me. I am not particular old at 34 and have always ridden BMX thus have never got on with large wheeled bikes, I find them awkward and slow at manoeuvring around town and difficult to store when at home. Despite this I thought I needed to bite the bullet and buy a modern-ish ‘full size’ bike and just get on with it.

Whilst I was searching for any bikes near to where I live in Bournemouth I saw and old Moulton Deluxe Billiard Cue style that I really liked. That particular bike sold for almost £160 which was too much for me as it needed recommissioning. I did more research into the bikes and learned a fair bit in the space of a few days trawling the internet for info.

I finally managed to buy a ‘non original’ example from ebay for £87 from Bradford on Avon of all places! (although I think its a Kirkby Bike) I collected the bike and have had to fix a few problems with the brakes, crank and mudguards but it is now riding well (at least to me it is but i’m no connoisseur)

My bike won’t be a favourite with purists as the tail has been removed but it must have had a disc welded in as I expected to see a hollow tube where it is in fact solid. I really like the look of the bike sans the tail but wouldn’t have cut one off myself so luckily someone else has obliged!

It seems to be a 1965 bike but there is no K before the date and it only has 5 digits on the other side of the seat clamp but I doubt its anything exotic. I have included a couple of pictures that will hopefully display at the bottom of the message. (they are displayed but have been squashed to fit!)

It suits me very well and I hope by adding a few more modern components and a newer 8 speed hub I can start to use it for some longer distance riding.

Thanks

Rob

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/runkthepunk/full%20side%20profile%20with%20flash%20no%20mudguards_zps42q2eyn4.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/runkthepunk/rear%20of%20cut%20off%20tail_zpsedsq5euo.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/runkthepunk/close%20up%20serial%20from%20right%20side_zpsycyhcnma.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/runkthepunk/seat%20from%20left_zpsvcetxflf.jpg

[david james]

hi rob
looks like a workmanlike machine, you may find it’s car filler in the tailpipe,easier than welding in a disc! the wheels look fairly good with the chrome as well,if you have the original hub you may need to widen the forks to fit a modern 8 speed (others will know better than me) as for the purists, what’s the point in having a bike you’re too scared to use? they’re meant to be ridden not left indoors

[Rob Dean]

Hi David

Yes workmanlike is a pretty good description. I have some plans like I mentioned and I have researched the fitting of newer hubs and the sturmey seems like an easier fit compared to the shimano alfines/nexus variants. The wheel chrome is okay with some pitting on the rear rim brake face but otherwise decent. I wouldn’t mind getting some alloys though. I NEED a new seat the one thats on it is horrible so thats high on my to do list. The ‘disc’ used to block up the cut tail is metal I have checked it with a magnet so that’s good if I decide to go down the powder-coating route

I intend on riding it around bournemouth when the weather is nice but hopefully further in due course.

[david james]

there’s someone selling brompton rims for £5.50 on ebay at the moment which seems like a bargain when you consider a new moulton rim is about 60 quid.

[Les Crook]

Rob, welcome to the fold. I would echo other comments, do to your bike whatever you feel you need to. My own bike now sports a 5 speed hub and drop bars. As for the purists, I have found the club appreciates each bike on its own merits. For example Michael Woolfe (Moulton preservation) was very complimentary about my bike.

Ride it and enjoy.

[Rob Dean]

Cheers Les

I have ordered a set of drop bars myself so will be running those soon. Going to try and get a brooks cambium as cheap as possible and of course wheels and New hub. I am thinking about paint options just now and wondering if its a good idea to get the dubious welds smoothed and nicely seamed by a good workshop.

Rob

[david james]

hi rob
i think i read somewhere the kirkby’s were welded and boa’s brazed ,but personally i would leave the welds/brazing as they are as it may well compromise the joint strength.(i design welded joints in structural steel as a living)

[Rob Dean]

Hi David

Yes mine is a welded kirkby bike. Some of the welding is pretty shocking to be honest but I guess it has survived 50 years without breaking so…
I got a cambium saddle today anyway and did 30 miles on the bike without any problems (apart from being knackered!)

Rob

[Alexander Johnston]

If the welding is good I suggest you leave it as it is.

[Rob Dean]

Hi Alexander
I plan on having the frame stripped back to bare metal so will be able to check the welds properly then. They are very bubble gum looking in places I am probably over thinking it really and am just used to more modern looking finishing I guess 🙂

[Alexander Johnston]

Hi Rob
Pleased you’ve got your first Moulton.
What do you fancy for your second?
Third?
Fourth?

[Rob Dean]

I don’t think I will be buying another just yet it’s been more expensive than I intended already! I would like to get a mk3 with the rear triangle and rubber ball arrangement at some point I really like the look/style of those bikes.

[CLIVE FENNER]

Congratulations you are on the slippery slope of Moulton owning. I only had one last October now there seems to be seven in the garage.

[david james]

what you can do to improve the appearance of the weld would be to use a good quality car body filler and form a fillet, this probably might not work with powder coating as it gets heated in an oven, also if you have powder coated you may have to drill a hole in the tube that has been blocked off to let air escape, assuming there isn’t a hole at the other end

[Peter Smitham]

Nice slick looking bike! Love the stripped down look.
Almost finished mine and looking at a stowaway for a second project.
Current one is a very solid Kirkby ’65. Stripped it and had it powder coated in a very modern colour! Replaced a lot of items as the rust bug had bitten deep, fortunately the frame and forks were solid with little wear. Writing up tbe build on Blogger under ‘Moulton Resurrected’ if anyones interested.
I’ve been amazed at the amount of work involved, always thoughtvI was a lazy sod! Can’t wait to get it ridden…..

[Rob Dean]

Hi Peter

Thanks for the nice comments. I would like to read your build blog but couldn’t find it, do you have a link? (Edit: not to worry just found it)

[Rob Dean]

That’s a nice build blog Peter it looks like you have done a good job on your bike. I will certainly use your pictures along with the guide on bikehub to help me when I spruce up the front suspension unit soon.

I have actually gone off the idea of powder coating the bike now so am going to attempt a home re-spray. I have sprayed lots of stuff before just never a frame & forks but I’m sure it will turn out to be an okay job, not perfect but okay.

Here is my bike as of today

[Author]

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