Buying a Moulton on eBay
Moultons on eBay
Ken Butterfield
An example of a non-Moulton, from eBay. The descriptions in eBay listings cannot always be relied on for accuracy.
Until the advent of the internet auction site eBay in 1997, the only way to find one of these excellent small wheelers was to scour the pages of Cycling Plus, local newspaper, cards in the newsagent’s window etc.
Since the home computer became the norm the whole world can find one, the only problem is that everyone else is watching too which means that you have competition to buy and rising prices!
There are still bargains to be found and eBay is still the best place to find anything although I would also recommend the MBC sales list where good machines are often listed at a reasonable price without the heat of having to win them.
The interesting thing about the “auction” is that it is really an auction with a fixed finishing time and therefore to bid early is a rather poor idea, to be the high bidder feels good, but you could soon be knocked off your perch in the last few seconds: even with a sizeable proxy bid in place.
The big money comes from Japan and more recently Taiwan but keep looking as there will always better to come, and if the seller specifies “collection only” then this could be an advantage if you are in the UK.
Where was it built?
Contrary to the much quoted company address on the head badge most sixties Moultons were not assembled at the home of Alex Moulton in Bradford on Avon, but mass produced at the BMC plant at Kirkby in Liverpool, this lead to the faults most commonly found in the superb design.
Later bikes like the Moulton Major and Mk3 were built at the Raleigh factory in Nottingham and were arguably better built.
A DIY botch job like this is always best avoided.
When was it built?
The earliest bikes that you are likely to come across were built in 1963 and most Kirkby frames will have a six digit frame number stamped on the seat clamp and K63 to K66 on the opposite side, the digits being the year built.
Raleigh built bikes (1967-74) have a different numbering system with no date and their Mk3 models (1970-74) are stamped with a number on the rear wheel drop out but no date again.
The easiest dating aid is that stamped i.e. 10/66, on the SA hub gear which should be fairly accurate assuming correct rotation of the parts stock during assembly.
Some eBay auction listings are gems. This example is an early Moulton Standard (Series One), in good original condition.
Is the F frame in question the correct size for you?
The moulton bicycle was only ever made in two sizes, one for adults and the other for smaller ladies and children. This makes sizing much easier than for diamond frame cycles as two sizes adjust to fit all from age 9 to 6’3” tall!
The smaller is fitted with 14” tyres and the full adult bikes have 16” but remember that most vendors cannot even use a tape measure so study the terrible photos with care!
Why is it that the seller always takes two almost identical bad photographs from an angle that obscures just what you need to see and in strong shadow?
However bad the photo is there are clues to be had by careful study so for example, take a look at the transfers to see what model is actually on offer, if they have not been brush painted over.
One old chestnut that keeps coming around is the large repair plate that Raleigh had to supply after they tried to make do without front suspension.
This monstrosity complete with “Starsky and Hutch” go faster stripe is often seen on Moultons described as a folder!
The presence of this black plate hides the nasty cracks in the frame and should be avoided at all costs.
Naturally the description will be even vaguer but will always mention that the bike is “Ideal for collector” or state the price of a New Series to illustrate what a bargain this is even if it would benefit from TLC!
Tender loving care may be an underestimate of just what the bike will need to make it roadworthy after decades of sitting unloved in his shed!
Moultons are often perceived as collector’s items, and in a sense they are, but real collectors will only buy pristine original examples and not the rusted out hulks often found listed on eBay.
Bikes in eBay photos never look rusty, but almost always are, no problem if you plan a full rebuild but the best advice is to buy the best example that you can find.
If the bike looks clean or it has been rebuilt or upgraded tastefully then you may be onto a winner.
What is available?
The vast majority of older Moultons on ebay are F frames and there are a surprisingly large number of 1963-64 billiard cue paint jobs in evidence. This is the deluxe model,
And the early machines have 36 spoke wheels and alloy stem/bars and metal cable guides. Sadly these charming bikes can suffer from cracking to the elegant rear forks caused by bad welding, and also twisting which can be blamed on former owners “scooting” on one pedal while mounting. These faults can be fixed, but a better alternative may be to consider the next most common moulton on ebay which is the series two range?
Series two or “new look” moultons are most often seen in holly green metallic paint with chrome guards (almost always rusted or “suitable re-chrome” if sellers are to be believed?) Bear in mind that chrome plating is quite an expensive process nowadays and replacement with parts in better condition may be a more cost effective alternative?
The bikes have 28 spoke wheels and stronger unbreakable rear forks.
The cables are fixed using plastic guides which are almost always snapped off and hanging loose on the cable. These simple devices can be reattached using short pop-rivets.
The most popular bikes, such as the deluxe should be fitted with SA 4 speed hub gear and the 3 speed is used on the cheaper moulton standard.
Dyno hubs were often specified by the customer and despite the weight are useful if still operational.
Included here must be the sportier speedsix model with drop bars, derailleur gears and 17” rims, but care must be taken to ascertain that the machine is not a replica with hack sawed tail beam, worthy though these may be of your interest, the real thing will always be worth more.
The series two is plentiful and strong but if you want something to ride and modify then perhaps it is worth looking for the ultimate F frame, the Raleigh built Moulton Mk3?
Although prices for these lively shorter wheelbase bikes have escalated recently, the frameset does have the advantage of a more modern rear triangle. Although the rest of the equipment is rather pedestrian it is easily upgraded with the possible exception of the bottom bracket.
The feeble rear hub brake will almost certainly have been augmented with a side pull calliper, even though the mudguard stay is not really strong enough for this modification!
This basically covers the type of Moultons on eBay, if more modern small wheelers are what is needed then there are the Alex Moulton range of spaceframes, often the AM7 and several Pashley built APB bikes on offer, but there is often much confusion about which is which!
In a nutshell, the AM is fitted with 17” wheels (except the rare ATB) and the APB has 20”
Many of the worn out parts, such as nylon suspension components on the older bikes can be replaced with nice new items from Moulton Preservation in London and the Moulton Bicycle Club itself is an absolute mine of information when it comes to working on your find or riding it.
EBay tips
Try not to get carried away in the heat of the moment, try to set a limit and keep within affordable reach of it.
Be aware that the Stowaway model suffers from “joint sag” and repair is difficult.
Try to study a side view of the frame to check for seat tube bend caused by excess weight and frontal impact damage to forks or steering tube. The racks are usually misshapen too and on the juvenile model will always be bent by giving rides to mates.
If the bike is one of the rarer models (speedsix, safari etc) then the price will multiply, justifiably so!
Ask questions of the owner in plenty of time if you need to, such as dating, steering wear or frame damage?
Bear in mind that your standards may be different to the sellers and whether the bike in question is “good for its age” may be a matter of opinion.
To be 100% fair most of the bikes are mild steel and over forty years old!
Remember to budget at least £25 carriage for the bike usually in a bike box and partly dismantled.
Finally is eBay a good thing?
Well it may have put old Moulton prices up but it has saved lots of good bikes from the scrap heap and among them some very special machines.
Good hunting and enjoy your old Moultons.
This bike is either a Mini or a Midi, made by Raleigh after they bought the Moulton brand. Raleigh produced this model without front suspension, against the advice of Dr Moulton. When some bikes began to crack, as Alex Moulton said they would, Raleigh issued this bracket to reinforce the joint. These bikes, with or without the "crutch" are best avoided. There are plenty of suspended examples available.