Blue Dawes Kingpin Update.

It’s been a while since I have written about the Kingpin that was the original subject of this blog. 

A quick update. 

Since last update the rear bag has been changed for an age appropriate one and a better colour match, plus today I fitted period and model correct blue handlebar grips, which I’m very please with, they’re very difficult to find. An acquaintance (thank you Marcus) on the Dawes Kingpin Facebook page given them to me, though I realised recent I could have had pair two years ago from another Kingpin that I bought for the Dynohub and subsequently sold.

At the time of writing I have owned this bike a little over 11 years now, and over this time, it’s had four donor bikes, for dynamo hubs and lights, wheels, chain guard, mudguards, head badge amongst other things. 

I have tried to get this as near as original as a new one I had in 1970, the only thing that’s changed is the saddle. The original white saddles are instruments of torture, so I installed a Brooks black B17 a few years ago. It’s a great saddle, very comfortable for all day rides. 

New bag, Brooks B17 saddle & Brooks Challenge saddle bag

Refurbished blue grips. 

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Dawes Kingpin Brochures , Catalogue and Publicity Materials.

The three catalogue scans above, from 1989, display the final Dawes Kingpin models. 

Back of Brochure featuring other Dawes bicycles. 

BELOW IS A LINK TO A 1975 CATALOGUE FROM THE VETRAN CYCLE CLUB SITE. 

1975 Dawes Catalogues from the VCC site

1968 Dawes Price List. 

1968 Dawes Brochure. 

A screenshot of  a 1960s Dawes Kingpin Brochure

Above and below, a catalogue scan from1983 Kingpins including a very rare “Daisy” version. A budget version of the Kingpin without a rack, side stand, and with painted mudguards. 

Price list dated 1983 with the prices of Kingpins at the top. Curiously no price for the Daisy.  

Above: The Kingpin Sprint, the very rare five speed derailleur geared version. 

A scan from the 1960s brochure featuring the Dawes Kingpin with Sturmey Archer 3 speed gears and front Sturmey Archer Dynohub.  

A scan from the 1960s brochure featuring the Dawes Kingpin luggage system. 

The gentleman in this photo is a Mr Dawes, grandson of the founder. 

This photo is from the a trade show stand at the launch of the Dawes Kingpin in 1965. 

Scan of Store Display Card

Dawes Kingpin, marketed as a unisex bike. 

Scam of Early Eighties Dawes Brochure

A scan of an article about the Kingpin from a bicycle book. I thing the book is called Let’s Go Cycling by Chris Faiclough. Please correct me if I’m wrong. 

Drawing of child riding a Dawes Kingpin on the front cover of a RoSPA Skilful Cycling book. 

Scan of 1970s Brochure showing the Dawes Zipper, (based on the Kingpin 18), Dawes’ attempt to cash in on the Raleigh Chopper craze. Well, why not, Raleigh stole the idea of the Shopper 20 from Dawes. 

Catalogue scans from the 1980's

Late 1970's KP 18 children's version of the Kingpin.

From the 1960's

Early 1970's

Newspaper Advert from Les Wilkins in Weston Super Mare

Dawes Cycles Price list from 1970.

 I wasn’t wrong when I remembered how much my original Kingpin cost. 

 

Weinmann Brake Calliper Spec sheet 

1985 Dawes Kingpin refurbished.

I set about refurbishing the Dawes Kingpin last week, a complete strip down, clean and polish of all the components, wheel bearings replaced after a degreasing the hubs and bearing races, the same with the bottom bracket and the headset. 

The only big spend was on new tyres, I went with the plain black because they are cheaper than the white wall tyres. I reused  the rim tapes and inner tubes as there was nothing wrong with them. 

Total spent on this bike was about £22.00. 

I might at some time change the cables but they’ll do for now. 

I sold this bike in 2022

And another Dawes Kingpin

I found another Dawes Kingpin local to me advertised for £30:00 pounds, I went to view it, knowing full well that I was going to buy the bike. I offered the seller £25:00 and they accepted. 

This is a September 1985 bike so coming towards the end of a 30 year production run for Dawes Kingpins. 

The bike was in quite nice condition tyres were flat and I had to repair a rear puncture, but the bike rode well. 

The saddle is not original, but aside from that the bike hasn’t had a lot of use, the tyres had a lot of tread on them but the sidewalls are perished so they will be replaced. The chrome is mostly ok, but the handlebars are a bit corroded in places. 

The next thing to do is service and clean the bike it very grubby. I will do a full bearing service on the wheels, the bottom bracket and headset, clean the chain which has no signs of wear and give the bike a good wash and polish. 

No full restoration for this one, the only money I will spend on it is for new tyres. 

Bad chrome on the handlebars 

No standard saddle 

The dealer sticker 

This is a photo of the Chesil Cycle Depot from where the Kingpin was bought. 

This is where the shop was today. 

The later bikes no longer had the spindle and BB shells made in England. Now made in Japan. 

Here is the bike with new tyres, it has a complete service, including new bearing and grease in the bottom bracket, headsets and wheel hubs. I have also added added a bag which I already owned and a chrome pump. At some point I may change the brake cables.  

I sold this bike in 2022