1949 Flying Scot “continental” Tandem.
1949 Flying Scot Tandem
This Flying Scot tandem is a new edition to our friend Jeff’s collection, but he’s had his eye on it for quite some time.
Twenty-five years ago Jeff made a vacation trip up to Vancouver Canada. Like any respectable bike guy, Jeff made it a point to stop in at Ace Cycles to say hello to Loren Atkinson. Loren had this very tandem in the repair stand that day, and as extraordinary as it is, it made an impression on Jeff.
Custom bikes and stock models that came out of Rattray’s cycle shop in Glasgow, Scotland, have always been special. In post-war Scotland, Rattray’s cycle shop had become a focal point and meeting place for cyclists from all around Scotland and afar. The Flying Scot name representing the best in hand-built lightweight racing and touring machines.
Jeff had never before seen a tandem with the Flying Scot logo, however.
Captain’s bars
Stoker stem
Scot front end
Brake detail
Panel details
This bike is extraordinary. It was custom ordered by someone who rode it for years and eventually sold it to a local Vancouver resident. Lucky for Jeff it was never updated too much and the original parts were saved and never recycled.
This bike has a Cyclo twin-wire gear changer with a four-speed freewheel. All of the running gear remains the same as ordered in 1949.
Curved seat tube
Flying Straight Ahead
The Stoker’s and Captain’s handlebars slide on beautifully constructed and chromed stems. While the brakes work horribly by today’s standards, they look great and stop pretty well for 1949. The frame construction, with the short wheelbase and custom lug work is unique and really extraordinary.
The craftsmanship is top of the line. The box lining, panels & pin stripes are great, the decals are intact after all of these years and the stove-baked enamel finish is unbelievable.