Andrew’s beloved 1980 FW Evans touring bike after a complete nut & bolt restoration in our workshop, carried out over the past few weeks. He’s owned the lugged Reynolds 531 tubed beauty from new and decided that after 39 years it was due some serious TLC. We advised restoration and touch up of the original paintwork rather than a re-spray and it’s been an enjoyable process, involving many hours of hard work to gently bring the bike back to life.
Weighing in at 25lb, the svelte and comfortable long distance machine is equipped with a beautiful TA Specialities chainset and bottom bracket, Campagnolo hubs, Suntour VX transmission, GB randonneur bars, and Weinmann centrepull brakes complete with original lever hoods. The bike retains almost original specification aside from new Panaracer 27 x 1 1/8″ tyres, tubes, chain and cables, plus we added a smart bell and upgraded the toe-clips and straps from Wellgo to Brooks, to match the new bar tape and original B17 saddle. We also used new stainless steel fasteners for the bottle cage and mudguards.
Here’s a few snaps of how the bike looked as supplied to us…
Totally cool, and just like my red 1984 Evans – now long gone I’m afraid.
Being built in 1980, this one will have been built by Evans’ in-house frame builder Harry Healey.