Youngs - 1970s South London Lightweight
A South London Framebuilder
Youngs was a South London bicycle maker based in Lewisham, part of the rich tradition of small British framebuilders producing lightweight machines for local club riders and enthusiasts. Bikes like this were built to be ridden, combining individually made frames with quality components chosen for performance rather than mass production.
This 1970s example, equipped with a six-speed SunTour groupset, arrived with decades of wear. The original finish had faded dramatically and much of the frame’s detailing had been lost beneath corrosion and age.
The Restoration
The bicycle was completely stripped and the frame taken back to bare metal. During dismantling, protected areas beneath the components revealed the depth and vibrancy of the original paint - providing an invaluable reference from which we could accurately colour-match the new finish.
The original components were cleaned, polished and mechanically overhauled wherever possible. Period-correct detailing was recreated, the SunTour drivetrain rebuilt and the aged Brooks saddle retained, preserving an important piece of the bicycle’s history.
The Result
The transformation reveals how striking this Youngs would have been when it first left the Lewisham workshop. The newly matched orange flamboyant finish restores the richness that decades of fading had almost completely disguised, while the polished components and recreated graphics bring definition back to the frame.
Retaining details such as the beautifully aged Brooks saddle prevents the restoration from feeling overly new. The result is a crisp, fully rebuilt bicycle that once again celebrates both its original specification and its South London origins.
Start your restoration
hello@bellsbicycles.co.uk
0203 355 0108