1979 Vintage Jack Taylor Tandem Bicycle SER 7518
Item History & Price
1979 Jack Taylor ~ Super Touring Tandem ~ serial number 7518, hand-built by the world's most respected tandem builder using Reynolds 531 and 501 double-butted and straight-gauge CroMo steel.
This frameset is structurally perfect -- never crashed or dropped, no dings or dents in any of the tubes, alignment is perfect, no corrosion.
An original unmolested 1979 Jack Taylor Tandem Bicycle in the most desired British Racing Green color. Special Jack Taylor Reynolds 531/501 through...out. UKAI 27"X1.1/8" rims. TA Crossover Tandem Cranks. Campagnolo front and rear derailleurs, Campagnolo dropouts and downtube shifters. Mafac cantilever brakes, Cinelli Old Logo Bars and Stem, MKS "Quill" pedals, Brooks saddles. Stock Taylor aluminum fenders. Frame braze-ons including pump pegs and water bottle mounts. Amazing original condition with very minor signs of wear and paint dings. Nothing ever repainted or repaired.
Details: main frame tubes are fillet-brazed Reynolds 531 double-butted CroMo steel; BB connecting tube is ovalized Reynolds 501 straight guage CroMo steel; double-diamond close-coupled design, frame weight 17lbs;.Campagnolo dropouts front and rear (140mm rear overlock, 100mm front); proprietary Taylor tandem fork and box crown. Full set of touring tandem braze-ons including front and rear rack & fender eyelets, front & rear cantilever brake bosses and stops, routing eyelets for two rim brakes and a rear disc or drag brake, down tube shift lever bosses with central cable routing. There are two sets of water bottle braze-ons, and pump peg for matching Silca frame pump (included.); capt. seatpost is 25.0mm, stoker's 26.4mm; both posts of forged alloy. Oversize tandem head tube with Stronglite roller-bearings. The drag brake lever is the typical goose neck mount. Hand-finished in British Racing Green with the trademark Jack Taylor white box pinstripes and Mondrian logos.
As to performance, built with a Campagnolo (Rally) /Phil Wood drivetrain and 48-spoke wheels, capable of 40-50 mph on the flats and well over on descents. With a short wheelbase and double-diamond frame, this tandem is rock-solid and steady at both a slow and quick pace. Handling is intuitive, and it is supremely smooth and comfortable (thanks to Reynolds) on either a cross-country, loaded tour, or a weekend ride.It was gentle when we were fumbly tandem newbies and challenging but forgiving as we grew into it and discovered what a formidable piece of magic Mr. Taylor was kind enough to entrust to us. You won't be disappointed.
Exploring the Jack Taylor registry @ http://www.blackbirdsf.org/taylor/serials_1979.html gives the impression that relatively few were delivered with Campagnolo gear.
The frame dimensions
SEAT TUBE (front) 23.5"SEAT TUBE (rear) 21"
TOP TUBE (front) 22"
TOP TUBE (rear) 23"
DOWN TUBE (front) 25"DOWN TUBE (rear) 25"*All tubing dimensions given center to center.
Serial # 7518
A very fun vintage video of the Taylor Brothers factory building a tandem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALNsQpCL8LY
The tandem will be carefully blanket wrapped and shipped to the continental US via U-Ship for a flat fee of $100. Other shipping methods available on request and we will only charge actual cost. If you require disassembly we will take it to our local mechanic who will disassemble and pack for a flat $100 fee. The bicycle can be picked up in Lodi, CA obviously with no freight cost.
Let us know if we can answer any questions.