Location: THORNTON DALE MOULTON BIKE DELUXE SERIES 1 Here at Mathewsons we get some really interesting bicycles coming through from time to time and back in the Autumn two well looked after 1960s Moulton bikes really caught my eye. Dr. Alex Moulton pioneered the small wheeled bicycle revolution over 70 years ago. It’s fair to say, all of today’s small wheeled cycles owe a debt of gratitude to the original Moulton ‘F’ frame design which not only introduced and proved the concept of full-size bicycles with small wheels, but also, right from launch in 1962, have utilised front and rear suspension systems for improved comfort and performance. Moulton’s works include the innovative rubber cone suspension system for the original Mini car and the later Hydrolastic and Hydragas interconnected systems that graced millions of British cars from those first Minis in 1959 to the MGF in 2002. In our October auction, the Bangers & Cash restoration team bought two of these ever-popular Moulton bikes – a Mark I and a Mark II – they’ve carried out a thorough restoration of the mechanics but left the original paintwork looking beautifully aged and authentic. They write: We believe Dr. Alex Moulton, was one of the most important British design engineers of the 20th Century and felt it was important to restore and preserve these two early fully-working examples of his innovative work. We commissioned the craftspeople at Cyclesense In Tadcaster – who are registered Moulton dealers and have specialist knowledge of restoring such bikes – and Scruffy Uphoslstery of Tadcaster to work their magic, Our Mark I Moulton has been completely disassembled, parts serviced – or originals sourced and replaced where necessary – and carefully put back together again. Saddles and carry bags have been restitched and are looking fantastic. This series I Moulton, which has a unique 'Billiard Cue' paint design, was produced in 1963 and so represents a very early production model. It features full GB alloy fittings, original front, and rear suspensions, and Sturmey-Archer 4-speed gears.
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