Post by: CurtisEXP on September 05, 2017, 12:42 AM
Picked this up. Thought it might be of interest. Something a little different.
I understand a handful of these were produced, but they never went into full production. I have a Curtis Expert too and the head tube, bottom bracket, seat tube, drop outs, etc all align with this Curtis 'Quad' / prototype or whatever you want to call it. The brazing is lovely as you would expect. Needs a good oxy bath and should come up nicely.
I've only seen one or two of these over the last 4/5 years and couldn't pass on the opportunity to pick one up. If anyone has any more info, I would be interested to hear.
Cheers
Nick
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Post by: radovr on September 05, 2017, 08:36 AM
Post by: CustardLips on September 05, 2017, 08:38 AM
Post by: Retrodan72 on September 05, 2017, 08:40 AM
What's the plan for it?
Post by: dp and chopper dude on September 05, 2017, 09:45 AM
Post by: deeman on September 05, 2017, 09:47 AM
Post by: rooski on September 05, 2017, 09:57 AM
Post by: Taipan on September 05, 2017, 10:26 AM
Post by: Retrodan72 on September 05, 2017, 10:36 AM
Post by: CurtisEXP on September 05, 2017, 01:26 PM
As I mentioned, the frame is the same size as my Expert (see below). I held the frame against the Expert and the head tube, bottom bracket, rear dropouts, etc all align. So bigger than a mini, but certainly not Pro size.
I presume is was developed as a race frame.
I will build at some point - probably as a survivor. Currently finishing off a cruiser, which has been on the go for around two years (plus) so these things take time, as you all know better than me. You have to have the patience of a saint! I just got a rear Suntour HF hub, which took about a year to find and was the last piece of the jigsaw - wheels have just been built.
I have seen two of these before. I recall an old thread a long time ago but I cannot find it now. I have one other picture which I copied (screen grab) from an old advertisement I found. This is the only other picture I have found - you will see that the forks on that frame were the more traditional Curtis forks (see below).
I agree Dan, Nick will probably know some of the history.
Nick
ps: who changed the title of the thread?! ;)
pps: pics below - tried to embed them with the relevant text but they randomly changed order!
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Post by: Retrodan72 on September 05, 2017, 01:35 PM
It's just my thoughts.
Post by: griff on September 05, 2017, 01:51 PM
Post by: brettypeeps on September 05, 2017, 02:01 PM
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Post by: chubby on September 05, 2017, 02:28 PM
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
Post by: griff on September 05, 2017, 02:42 PM
Post by: NORTY40 on September 05, 2017, 03:11 PM
Post by: retrogeezer on September 05, 2017, 05:57 PM
Post by: CurtisEXP on September 05, 2017, 08:14 PM
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Post by: sawzall on September 05, 2017, 08:50 PM
Bitd,they were built for race and not freestyle...
Post by: griff on September 05, 2017, 09:08 PM
I know a guy who has two of them which are his original frames,he was a curtis factory rider
Bitd,they were built for race and not freestyle...
Very 8) never heard of these before - any idea how many were made/when they were made?
Not sure when the TRM came out either but would be interested to know which came first
Post by: Picklez on September 06, 2017, 07:49 PM
Great find, bet you're well pleased.
Post by: Jaymz on September 06, 2017, 09:34 PM
Post by: griff on September 06, 2017, 10:06 PM
Post by: factory pilot on September 06, 2017, 10:55 PM
Post by: MartyC on September 08, 2017, 04:32 PM
Post by: radovr on September 09, 2017, 09:40 AM
Post by: griff on September 09, 2017, 10:26 AM
Keep coming back for another look "wantit"
Me too ;)
Post by: CurtisEXP on September 09, 2017, 12:55 PM
Its much appreciated people taking time out to make some calls and contact Brian and to feedback on the forum.
I have not had the chance to sit down with the guy I got the bike from to get the full history. As soon as I do, I will let you have any more information I can glean.
I managed to pick up a few extra bits when I got the frame - OG pads, stickers and a Curtis Fan Club book! :daumenhoch: Just like the one I had back in the day. :)
The frame is at my folks house - it was an unofficial purchase if you know what I mean ;) But I am visiting tomorrow, so I will take a few more pics and post them up tomorrow.
Someone mentioned about taking it to MK. I've never made it unfortunately as it always coincides with our holidays. I know it is another year off, but I'm more than happy to let someone have the frame to take it along for the weekend.
Thanks again
Nick
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Post by: Mikku on September 10, 2017, 11:28 PM
Post by: CurtisEXP on September 11, 2017, 11:07 PM
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Post by: Mikku on September 12, 2017, 01:25 PM
Post by: CurtisEXP on September 14, 2017, 12:17 AM
We discussed the quad. He thinks the version I picked up is bigger than the mini size he has, which he cannot remember seeing before. I am going to send him some measurements to check for sure. In the call he also explained that Brian often produced special dropouts for the factory forks with the rounded, not the traditional 'blade' finish. When I later sent some pictures he thought these were pretty rare too, which was nice to hear. He recommended reaching out to Brian to get the full history.
He kindly forwarded me a few pictures from his team riding days, including one of him on the quad he still owns. This still has a pad for the quad frame, which his mum made by sewing two normal Curtis pad together! He still has all his stuff from bitd and he told me knows of an original and probably unique 16" Curtis pit bike that is still owned by a friend. Holy grail stuff! He also had a beautifully brazed bike rack that was made by Brian using T45 tubing, which his dad had on the back of his car. Sadly long gone.
These are great pics:
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Post by: griff on September 14, 2017, 06:17 AM
So did these come before or after the TRM? Given the similarities is there any connection?
Post by: Avro on September 14, 2017, 04:44 PM
Post by: CurtisEXP on September 17, 2017, 11:30 PM
This thread gets better!
So did these come before or after the TRM? Given the similarities is there any connection?
I don't know a great deal of the history of TRM. Looking at the museum there is nothing earlier than 1983 and Christian's recollection was that he rode his mini version in 82. So it might predate TRM, but someone may be along to correct that assumption.
I originally called the thread Curtis 'Quad'. I think the title was changed! I originally figured it would have been SE Quad inspired, and to be honest I had not thought of the TRM.
Obvious thing to do is ask the man who built it! I am pretty local to Frome; when I get a chance, I will take it over to Brian's workshop and see if he can remember the history.
Post by: CurtisEXP on September 27, 2017, 10:30 PM
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Post by: CurtisEXP on September 27, 2017, 10:31 PM
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Post by: CurtisEXP on September 27, 2017, 10:33 PM
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Post by: CurtisEXP on September 27, 2017, 10:36 PM
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