Carlton Capella lugs seem to be everywhere in my SBDU collection at the moment. They are always nice to have, and when they appear on Reynolds 753 frames, it’s even better.
An email in my inbox a couple of weeks ago introduced me to SB1625. It is a beautifully repainted frame with exceptional paint and lug detailing by Chris Marshall. This isn’t the first frame I have with his paint work, SB4933 is another example. Chris can apply new paint while retaining all the crisp detail that so many other painters just can’t achieve. I think I only have actual SBDU painted frames that can retain the sharp and detailed edges of the frame number in this way.
Arrival
Carlton Capella Lugs
Capella lugs on this period SBDU Reynolds 753 frame mean Imperial diameter tubing, at a time when Metric 753 was the norm. The SBDU had a couple of distinct periods when they used this modified Capella lug, and I still haven’t figured out why it was just these two periods. There is a small batch of Capella lugged SB numbered frames at the beginning of 1976 and another at the end of 1977. Some team frames also used this type of lug back in late 74/early 75.
SB1625 H265
This frame dates to the latter part of 1977. That was a period when the SBDU were still stamping the ‘H’ reference number on the bottom bracket shell. The corresponding number is also stamped (without the ‘H’) on the fork column. The reference on SB1625 is ‘265’.
Frame Details
Apart from the Capella lugs, SB1625 presents as a normal period SBDU 753 frame. An RGF bottom bracket shell with 4 slots, Campagnolo 1010/B drilled ends, single taper seat stays and oversize caps.
It has had a renovation, and top tube brake cable stops, together with gear lever bosses and a re-route of the gear cables to below the BB have all taken place.
Brake Bridge
One item that is slightly different on SB1625 is the brake bridge design. It has the appearance of being ‘flattened’ towards the centre.
It isn’t the standard period ’round’ type used on nutted brakes, and it isn’t the tapered type used for recessed brakes. SB1625 is only the second SBDU frame I have seen with this type of bridge. I first noticed it on SB1089.
When I first saw the images of SB1089 in 2018, I initially thought the bridge was damaged, somehow ‘squashed’. But this is another case of when you just cannot take the SBDU for granted. Now that I’ve seen the same bridge on SB1625, it appears to be an SBDU feature. I’ll need to do a bit more digging on it.
Thank you to Thierry for allowing me to share his images.
Fork
Again, very much standard for a 1977 period SBDU 753 fork. The semi sloping external fork crown, blade stiffeners and drilled ends.
Paintwork
Stunning – that is all I can say.
Well actually I can say a bit more. Yes, it is actually stunning. The paint is shiny, thin, sharp, crisp, lustrous. Chris Marshall has done a fabulous job on this frame.
Build
Could this be the right frame for my Dura-Ace 7400 6 speed groupset? It is waiting for the right build. I want to fit it to a frame size that I can ride, and SB1625 at 56cm is right on the lower limit of what I can. After deciding to divert that group away from SB6560, I think the look of the 7400 group will POP against this paintwork of this frame.
I just need to ponder…