Frank Kirk thought up this remarkable bike while working as a designer at the Ford plant in Dagenham, England.  The frame is made of cast magnesium, and was a dramatically different approach to frame design than the typical bicycle frame with round tubing.  The story goes that the bumpers on the Ford Sierra were the actual inspiration.

Magnesium is one of the lightest metals by volume , although its rigidity is quite a bit lower than steel.  Magnesium is inexpensive and very environmentally friendly. Kirk boasted that a cubic meter of seawater contained enough magnesium to make a bike frame (although a tremendous amount of electricity is used in the process. It takes only 8 seconds to mold one frame. Phil Anderson and other members of the TVM team rode Kirk Precisions in the pro peloton, and the bike made an appearance in the Tour de France.

Specifications: 

  • Serial number 1753
  • Size: Seat Tube:  58.5 Centre to Top measurement, Top Tube: 57 Centre to Centre measurement.
  • Stem: GB 10 cm
  • Handlebars:  Italmanubri 42 C-C
  • Brake Levers: Dia-Compe
  • Brakes: Modolo Concorde
  • Crankset: Campagnolo Victory 52-42 chainrings
  • Shifters: Shimano 105 downtube
  • Front Derailleur: Gipiemme
  • Rear Derailleur: Suntour Superbe 6 speed
  • Freewheel: Regina 6 speed 13-18
  • Hubs: Edco Competition 36H
  • Rims: Mavic Monthlery Silver 36H
  • Seat: Selle Italia Faite Manganese rails
  • Tape: Blue cloth
  • Pedals: Shimano PD A550 Shimano Toe Clips, Gardin Toe Straps

This bicycle is currently available for sale in our eBay shop.  Link to buy now.


One thought on “Vintage Bicycle Feature: c1988 Kirk Precision Magnesium Bicycle

  1. I bought a frame (kirk) after a crashed my Bianchi from the bike shop I worked at in 89 it has shim another gear and a 2 tone custom paint job

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