historic hetchins

1984-6 Time Trial



Scorpion Bonum   



  











Scorpion Bonum
Time Trial Bike
Southend, 1984-6?

This frame was probably made in 1984 in Southend. Later, it was taken to the USA for the 1987(?) cycle show in Long Beach California. It remained in California for many years, but was eventually returned to the UK, cleaned up, and built up with period-correct components.

The color scheme is light blue enamel with dark blue headstock, chrome ends.

Components are Campag 175mm Strada single chainset, Campag pedals & clips, Campag Super Record rear mech, modified ttt bars on ttt adjustable stem, Campag Record brakeset, Mavic 700c Monthillery Route sprint rims on Campag Record S/F hubs, Blue suede Turbo saddle on Campag Super Record seatpin.

The lug pattern is Scorpion Bonum. There is no braze-on for a front mech on the seat tube or for a front gear lever on the down tube; the frame features vertical drop-outs with no mudguard eyes, and very close clearance for sprint rims. The curved seat tube gives the frame a very short wheelbase of 37 1/2". For comparison, a typical Hetchins tourer might have a wheelbase of 41 1/2" and a typical road race bike 40". This means it was designed as a time trial machine. It is a very rare design.

Fotos courtesy of Bob Johnson.

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