bates- never seen a fork like this

[AngryScientist]

cool!

(and on the bay now...)

[thirdgenbird]

Second one I've seen. The first was my size and it was tempting.

[Black Dog]

I like the coat hooks on the sides of the fork legs and chain stays.

I assume that is some sort of attachment stud for panniers.

[thirdgenbird]

I think those are threaded to the frame. I think it's sort of a thumb screw fender mount. That's a least what it appeared to be on the other I saw.

[choke]

They called it a "Diadrant" fork and started using them in the 1930s.

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...rs/bates3.html

[scooter]

Isn't this a flip from a bicycle that was offered as a complete bike a few weeks ago? It sold from a collection of collectible bikes (Landshark, Kirk, Waterford, etc.) from Illinois that Charles posted as a PSA back on December 3rd. It sold complete for $1027.99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bates-Steel-...p2047675.l2557

[gomango]

Originally Posted by scooter

Isn't this a flip from a bicycle that was offered as a complete bike a few weeks ago? It sold from a collection of collectible bikes (Landshark, Kirk, Waterford, etc.) from Illinois that Charles posted as a PSA back on December 3rd. It sold complete for $1027.99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bates-Steel-...p2047675.l2557

correct.

[austex]

Also note the "reverse-butted" top and down tubes - fatter toward the center.

[tiretrax]

Those crazy Brits do all kinds of crazy stuff, but with great lugs. I would love to have a Hetchins on my living room wall, but my wife wont approve.

[thirdgenbird]

Originally Posted by austex

Also note the "reverse-butted" top and down tubes - fatter toward the center.

Wow, I missed that.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by thirdgenbird

I think those are threaded to the frame. I think it's sort of a thumb screw fender mount. That's a least what it appeared to be on the other I saw.

Right. I believe the idea is to be able to ride to the race and quickly remove the fenders before the race.

Bates, Hetchins, etc experimented with some funky designs that are generally accepted to be without much merit (diadrant fork, curly stays, cantiflex tubing), but they certainly are interesting and are very cool parts of cycling history.

[happycampyer]

All this time people though Pinarello's Onda fork was a novelty.

[JAllen]

Interesting for sure. I wonder how it rides.

[sg8357]

Originally Posted by JAllen

Interesting for sure. I wonder how it rides.

They ride quite well, the Cantiflex tubes are oversized in the middle then taper to fit standard size lugs. Tubes are Reynolds.
From a Bates advert....
"Whip-the power thief-is eliminated in a Bates, every ounce of the riders energy is transmitted to drive-effort normally wasted is transferred to actual road speed."

Take that Specialized!!

The geometry is Ultravert, so even in late 30s Bates has modern racy angles.
The thumb screws are for q/r mudguards.

[Louis]

I know just the crank to go with that frame: