This frame is listed in the ledgers as a Magnum Bonum, 23-inch, curly, first sold 2 August 1952, price 22 pounds 15 shillings 6 pence.
It was acquired by its present owner in original livery and has been expertly restored by Argos in blue flam, with white ht panel, gold trim, coronation transfers and the correct 1952 Reynolds 531 decal.
The bike is equipped with the following components: hubs: Campagnolo Gran Sport high flange Q/R, 36-hole, straight Q/R levers; rims: Mavic 27-inch, labelled "For Professional Bicycle only"; spokes DT Swiss stainless steel 14g/16g double butted, 3-cross/2-cross rear wheel, 2-cross front wheel; tires: Michelin Road Sprint 27" x 7/8"; chainset: Chater Lea, 6 & ¾-inch round-section "drumstick" cottered cranks, 46T 3/32-inch single chain-ring; bottom bracket bearing: Chater Lea chromed cottered axle in Campagnolo Super Record cups 1.37-inch x 26tpi; pedals: Phillips alloy with built-in plates across the cage edges (for use with normal shoes without shoe-plates);
toe clips: Balilla engraved chrome, Le Chasseur leather straps with built-in puller; dt gear lever: Cyclo - Benelux alloy; rear mech: Benelux Sport P2; chain: slotted silver ½-inch x 3/32-inch; freewheel: Regina 6-speed: 13, 15, 17, 20, 24, 28; brakes: Universal Mod 77 side-pull, quick release; saddle: Brooks swallow, stitched sides and large copper rivets (fully stripped, restored and rebuilt); headset; Chater Lea head-clip type with internal frame bearings; stem: Presto chromed with underslung clamp, 100mm reach; handlebar: chromed track type, with leather perforated tape. Last but not least, the seat post: an extremely rare Brooks No. 5 chromed steel post with integral clip, 27.2mm diameter. This seat post gave us some grief as it would not fit into the seat tube. We took a caliper to it and discovered that is was not round, but Argos got it sorted in the end. The seat post was featured in Brown Brothers Catalogue circa 1940; it was recommended to be mounted curving forward, to give other riders a nice view of the V-chevron design as you whizz past.
A fabulously well-done, no-expense-spared, restoration.
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