An incomplete guide to Long John frames

This page focusses on the evolution of SCO/Monark frames and their (possible) forerunners. I´m still researching this subject, therefore information given here is incomplete, in some cases also questionable.

Please be aware that the frame drawings below are schematic, simplified, NOT detailed and NOT true to scale. As far as available information about age and manufacturer is added. For a simple and precise way to determine age and manufacturer of a Long John built after 1942 please see the serial number page.

The early years

Long John production in Denmark started most likely in the late 1920s or early 1930s. However, so far I´ve got no reliable information on the first Long John bikes and their design.

Some information suggests that Nordisk Cykelfabrik played a major role in the production of early Long John bikes. Also, the production period of their models might have overlapped with the SCO Long Johns built in the 1940s and early 1950s. Does anyone know more about this?

Frame diagram (simplified!)	Origin and age	Photo (click to enlarge)
	Manufacturer: Nordisk Cykelfabrik(?) Year: unknown, possibly early 1940s. According to some sources this frame design was also in use in the 1930s. Further information needed.
	Manufacturer: unknown Year: unknown, possibly 1940s More info needed (e.g. serial numbers)!
	Frame version of unknown origin and age. Possibly 1930s/1940s. Seen on internet auctions. More info needed (e.g. serial numbers)! Do not confuse this with newer Esimex / Acrobat frames.	No picture available. Do you have one?

The 1940s and 1950s

The oldest SCO frames I´ve found so far are from the early 1940s but there might be older ones. Please contact me if you´ve got one. The same goes for Long Johns from the late 1950s.

Frame diagram (simplified!) Origin and age Photo (click to enlarge)

Manufacturer:SCO
Year:1942, 1951

SCO Long John

Manufacturer: SCO
Year: 1955

The 1960s

Please contact me if you´ve got a Long John from the sixties, especially the early sixties.

Frame diagram (simplified!)	Origin and age	Photo (click to enlarge)
	Manufacturer:SCO, often sold under the label URANIA, maybe also under other labels Year: 1967 Production most likely stopped in 1972.

The 1970s

In 1972 SCO did a major redesign of the Long John frame. With minor changes, this frame style is still in production today (at Monark in Sweden). I still need pictures of Long Johns built in the later seventies.

Frame diagram (simplified!)	Origin and age	Photo (click to enlarge)
	Manufacturer:SCO, also sold under the label URANIA Year:1972

The 1980s

Who has got pictures of Long Johns built in the later eighties?

Frame diagram (simplified!)	Origin and age	Photo (click to enlarge)
	Manufacturer:SCO Year:1982

The 1990s until today

Pictures of a 1992 Long John needed.

Frame diagram (simplified!)	Origin and age	Photo (click to enlarge)
	Manufacturer: SCO Year: 1990 Avoid confusion with frames built in the 1970s. Check year code in serial number and frame details!
	Manufacturer: SCO Year: 1991 Same design as in the 1980s (more or less)
	Manufacturer: SCO (until 1997), then Monark, Sweden Year: 1993-2003 Frame design is also in use on the new Monark/Velorbis Long Johns (since 2007).

Distinguishing features on newer frames (1970s-1990s)

SCO frames built in the 1970s, 80s and 90s are quite similar. A close look on frame details can help to avoid confusion.

Seat bolt

1970s and older:
Seat bolt runs through seat stays.

~1980s-1993
Seat bolt runs through an extra clamp. Seat stays still have holes (which are useless).

~1994 and later:
Seat bolt runs through an extra clamp. No holes in seat stays.

Reinforcement between seat tube and steering tube.

1972

~1980s until 1991/1992

~1993 and later

Help needed

Dear Long John enthusiasts, please help me growing this page by sending me your pictures of old Long Johns, as well as serial numbers and background information about those bikes.

Picture credits for this page:
Jimmi Johansen, Lars Evdokiyos, Giles Butcher,
Alan Nielsen, Steve Tarander, Wolfgang Höfler,
Konrad Gähler, Steve Hinshaw, Henrik Skøtt,
Jason Trayers.
Thanks!