Bromptons: coming down

[quixoticgeek]

Tell him to consider a better saddle, that looks painful.

J

[rogerzilla]

It's a Dawes saddle.  He'll probably fit a Brooks, like a Brompton needs to be any heavier.

[jiberjaber]

I swapped out the reflector for a B&M rear light that was surplus to requirements and I also had a more modern metal RH pedal in the Crypt of Crap.  Gave it a general lube and fettle.  Nothing wrong with it except surface rust on the headset cups, which is probably defective plating.  I will persuade him to get a Tange FL270C (low stack, cartridge, alloy) for lighter weight and an easier life.

I got one of those Joseph Kuosac headsets for similar reasons, the existing Brommy one has shagged...  I didn't know about the Tange one.

[rogerzilla]

The lower cup can also stretch the head tube after high mileages, giving the same symptoms as a loose headset.  Strong gap-filling Loctite will keep it going for a while.

[Kim]

Tange FL270C (low stack, cartridge, alloy) for lighter weight and an easier life.

That answers a question I hadn't got round to asking.

[Gattopardo]

I hope the prices are still silly as I'm going to be selling one that I bought on behalf of someone and they are now ignoring me.


With friends like that...

[Jack_P]

Also finally found one, not as cheap as originally planned but could not resist at £800.
3 year old black ML6 which had never been ridden at all, who does that 
Had sat in a cupboard for 3 years and didn't even have dust on it
And a double bonus it was local
First time owner ready for adventures, no commuting.

[Paul H]

I wonder if the B75 model has hurt second hand prices?  For many people, like me, it didn't really matter what model, just the fold.
I've had mine four months and done about 60 miles.  That's about the use it'll get, but those are miles I'd either have walked or used a bus or taxi, so it's usefulness isn't measured in distance.

[rogerzilla]

Is the B75 the one where they use up all the stuff from the obsolete parts bin?

[Paul H]

Is the B75 the one where they use up all the stuff from the obsolete parts bin?

Yep, or at least it started out that way, then either that parts bin is huge, or it's success led them to source some cheaper parts.  It's standard basic spec, one colour, no options, £850. 

[rogerzilla]

Just seen an ancient L3 (misdescribed as an M3L...well, this is fleaBay) from a seller with 0 feedback, pick up only from deepest Somerset, go for £601. I bought a similar L3 for £250 on eBay 9 years ago.

I'd quite like an old one to do up, but they are very rare.  L3s don't often appear for sale and they are not priced sensibly low compared to the current model, which is LWB and has better components, especially brakes.  With an old one, there's also the risk of the rear triangle being rusted out, and it will usually need a hinge job.

[ravenbait]

I hope the prices are still silly as I'm going to be selling one that I bought on behalf of someone and they are now ignoring me.


With friends like that...

Are you, indeed?

Sam

[Gattopardo]

Just seen an ancient L3 (misdescribed as an M3L...well, this is fleaBay) from a seller with 0 feedback, pick up only from deepest Somerset, go for £601. I bought a similar L3 for £250 on eBay 9 years ago.

I'd quite like an old one to do up, but they are very rare.  L3s don't often appear for sale and they are not priced sensibly low compared to the current model, which is LWB and has better components, especially brakes.  With an old one, there's also the risk of the rear triangle being rusted out, and it will usually need a hinge job.

How would you identify an l3?

[rogerzilla]

Just seen an ancient L3 (misdescribed as an M3L...well, this is fleaBay) from a seller with 0 feedback, pick up only from deepest Somerset, go for £601. I bought a similar L3 for £250 on eBay 9 years ago.

I'd quite like an old one to do up, but they are very rare.  L3s don't often appear for sale and they are not priced sensibly low compared to the current model, which is LWB and has better components, especially brakes.  With an old one, there's also the risk of the rear triangle being rusted out, and it will usually need a hinge job.

How would you identify an l3?

Fishscale hand brazing around the main tube hinge.

Here's another: this is NOT an M3R - it is an ancient T3 with a bottle dynamo!  Single pivot rear brake and Sachs hub.  Sellers need to be more careful, as the spec is quite different, and worse, compared to a real M3R.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114837856927

[rogerzilla]

One robdog is trying to sell a C3 (misdescribed as an M3E) with shagged Sachs hub for £745.  If he's a specialist, as he claims, and can't fix it*, good luck with that.  This is a bike that was under £300 new.

*my guess is a snapped clutch key.  No idea whether they can still be found as NOS spares, since SRAM pulled the plug in 2017.

[rogerzilla]

One in Bristol for £150 on FB Marketplace.  Looks ok, weird colour choice of green and white.

Basically: avoid eBay.