Baines Whirlwind Flying Gate International TT Frame / Fork: English 1930's 1940's Blue, 56cm

The Baines Whirlwind "Flying Gate" was made by the Baines Brothers (Reg & Willie) out of Bradford, England from 1935 to about 1952.  The model name is officially "Whirlwind", but gained the nickname "Flying Gate" from the Flying Gate racing team that rode them.  You've probably noticed the odd frame design, which shortens the wheelbase.  Other bikes such as the Rigi Strada and Saxon Twin Tube (we have one for sale!) made the same shortening effect by splitting the seat tube.  The goal was by shortening the wheelbase, you could make the frame stiffer.  There were three models; the original VS37, the VS38 which lacked seatstays connecting the vertical seat tube, and the International TT, which features a longer 39.5 inch wheelbase more suited for road racing and derailleur gearing.  In the 1970's Trevor Jarvis reproduced the Flying Gate for a few years in the late 1970's.

Frame Details

This International TT has the unique distinction of having rear-facing track dropouts!  This frame does have a 39.5" wheelbase, which according to the catalog scans was only used on the International TT model.  We're not sure why it has track dropouts.  It also lacks any cable stops or fender mounts, which would be more consistent with a VS37.  Perhaps a custom one-off model.  The year of make is undetermined.  It also features front fender eyelets.  The Nervex lugs are finely cut and gorgeous with nice points.  The headset is unknown, as I can't quite read the markings.  It appears period correct.

It's unknown if this is original paint or not.  It is definitely the original color many of these were painted, but I was told by a collector of antique bicycles that the transfers are a newer style than they would have used back then. 

Size

• Top tube: 56cm
• Vertical seat tube: 51cm (c-c), 52.5cm (c-t)
• Actual seat tube: 53cm (c-c), 55cm (c-t)
• Wheelbase: 39.5"

Condition

Very good to great shape.  The frame is straight, with no rust, cracks, bends, dents, etc.  The only imperfection to the structural frame is the non-drive side of the top tube has a small spot where it's ever so slightly out of round.  I didn't even notice it until I had the frame for a month.  It reflects light at certain angles in the way a dent does, but it is not a dent.  The tube is flat, and appears round, yet this quarter sized spot just doesn't feel right.  

The paint is in nice shape with some small chips and imperfections.  The decals are in great shape, except the headtube decal which has the top lamination layer peeling at the non-drive edge.  The paint is nice and glossy and doesn't look beat up.  The chips are definitely there, but they're isolated and don't ruin the asthetics of the frame.  The only "ugly" part of the frame is the non-drive side of the top of the seat tube, which has large paint chips.  Headset is smooth.  No rust inside bb shell or seat tube.  

Markings

• Bottom of BB shell: Nervex 61 (degree sign) 64 (degree sign) D22 (small z or 2) E38