Author Topic: Birmingham Wheels Frame - Reynolds bars (Read 20561 times)

dinglem · « **on:** December 22, 2013, 02:23 PM »

Having been hunting for one of these for many years I finally collected this a few days ago. Pretty chuffed to say the least!!

Does anybody have any sizing information? It has a top tube around 18.3inches in length.

The chrome is in perfect condition too, so at least i can retain the original finish.

(the front wheel looks close to the frame in the pics as the forks were on backwards for transport).

Does anybody have any leads for sticker sets and pad sets? Is Del still around?

Cheers,

Martin.

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2013, 02:29 PM »

Hi Martin, welcome to Rad.

That's a very nice, and rare frame set you've got there, looks lovely. I've only ever seen a few in the 5 years I've been a collector. I like them for their simplicity.

Del has gone a boy quiet, it maybe better to email him directly. As for the pads, again Steve's very busy so emailing him directly too maybe the best option.

glenboy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2013, 02:31 PM »

Steve ( animal ) is the man he'll know I'm sure he'll also be well jell you've got this

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AKGOFF · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2013, 02:32 PM »

Nice find mate, always a buzz when you get something you've been after for a long time.

Adam

markyp · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2013, 03:11 PM »

that is lovely,what a score!!!

Spartacus · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2013, 03:15 PM »

Nice score,

If you're interested I have a genuine nos and a used BW padset in my spares.

martin46 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2013, 03:15 PM »

Very nice frameset dude, looks great

In2bmx · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2013, 03:17 PM »

Very nice score

CustardLips · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2013, 03:54 PM »

Nice one.

dinglem · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:03 PM »

Thanks guys, I'm pretty chuffed to say the least! I found it for sale on a mountain biking forum - just did a Google images search on Birmingham Wheels and up popped the images.... followed the link and hey presto!

I used to ride at Wheels BITD so this is my holy grail

southern andy · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:12 PM »

Very nice that is.

What forks are fitted to it ?

dinglem · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:17 PM »

Not sure about the forks; they have a tear-drop stamped out of the drop outs...?

I have a nice set of race forks to go on to it when the build starts though

Gashead · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:18 PM »

Cool !

Lovely score that !

And welcome to Radbmx

southern andy · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:27 PM »

Quote from: dinglem on December 22, 2013, 04:17 PM

Not sure about the forks; they have a tear-drop stamped out of the drop outs...?

I have a nice set of race forks to go on to it when the build starts though

Got a picture of them ?

dinglem · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:32 PM »

Not a great photo...

dinglem · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2013, 05:04 PM »

These are all of the Wheels examples I have been able to find online. I would love some frame measurements to be ascertained for each of the different frame designs:-

MINI (short top tube (EDIT - am told they are 16.5inch) and large looptail):-

Another forum member sent me this photo on the 27/01/14; we believe this Mini to be the same frame as the one shown above - TT length confirmed at 16.5inches. Note that the small bar present on the other models joining the front part of the lower looptails is absent.

24 inch CRUISER:-

PRO - Lower top tube (20 inches in length) but taller seat post tube. All came in a factory painted finish (unconfirmed):-

I believe the above and below pics are actually the same bike.

The below bike is frame number 137:-

EXPERT - 'Higher' top tube (18.5inches in length) but lower seat tube (BB to top tube length 9.1inches). All came in a factory chrome finish:-

Found another photo online (26/12/13)

...and contacted another owner on the 17/01/14 who has owned this frame from new - purchased from the Wheels workshop and watched the decals being applied (it was chrome with black decals back then).

...and here's another, added on 8/2/14. This is frame serial number 515 and was sourced from Belgium, with an original decals sheet. It has exposed brazed welds and even shows Reynolds stamping on the downtube and top tube. Nice example!!:-

..and then mine as pictured above and also here:-

Sorry if i'm not allowed to post pictures that i haven't taken...?? Anybody got any measurements for the other frame sizes?

Cheers Martin.

markyp · « **Reply #16 on:** December 22, 2013, 05:18 PM »

forks are tioga??

sawzall · « **Reply #17 on:** December 22, 2013, 05:28 PM »

Great score
I have three bw's in my collection a mini an expert and
A cruiser just need a pro but no luck after 5 years of looking
Looks like your's is an expert frame,bw didn't make forks and used tange forks
So I would think the forks are original to the frame

dinglem · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2013, 05:37 PM »

Quote from: sawzall on December 22, 2013, 05:28 PM

Great score
I have three bw's in my collection a mini an expert and
A cruiser just need a pro but no luck after 5 years of looking
Looks like your's is an expert frame,bw didn't make forks and used tange forks
So I would think the forks are original to the frame

Hi mate - wow, great information! Are any of yours pictured above(?) and could you possibly confirm the frame dimensions of your various frames please? There is almost zero information out there on Brum Wheels frames from what i can tell. Are the ones with the taller looking seat post tubes Pro frames then?

Thanks again for your reply.

Martin.

sawzall · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2013, 06:04 PM »

here's a link to my cruiser build

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,167234.msg1673078.html#msg1673078

i just measured my expert and it's 18 1/2" and my mini is 16 1/2"

birmingham wheels rarely did adverts in magazines,they called them birmingham wheels project

because they were set up as a centre to teach wayward kids new skills the frames were

designed and built by top frame builder howard darby

dinglem · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2013, 06:30 PM »

Quote from: sawzall on December 22, 2013, 06:04 PM

here's a link to my cruiser build
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,167234.msg1673078.html#msg1673078

i just measured my expert and it's 18 1/2" and my mini is 16 1/2"

birmingham wheels rarely did adverts in magazines,they called them birmingham wheels project

because they were set up as a centre to teach wayward kids new skills the frames were

designed and built by top frame builder howard darby

Great! Thanks for the info.

Mine is definitely an Expert then

dinglem · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2013, 07:43 PM »

Quote from: sawzall on December 22, 2013, 06:04 PM

here's a link to my cruiser build
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,167234.msg1673078.html#msg1673078

i just measured my expert and it's 18 1/2" and my mini is 16 1/2"

birmingham wheels rarely did adverts in magazines,they called them birmingham wheels project

because they were set up as a centre to teach wayward kids new skills the frames were

designed and built by top frame builder howard darby

That Cruiser is gorgeous btw!!!!

Where did you get the sticker set from if you don't mind me asking???