c1890 Safety Bicycle

[healey100]

Hello,

I know some of you appreciate these early bicycles and equally enjoy progress photos of restorations.

Its been blasted, painted and waiting on the bars and seat post that are being nickel plated. Not without issues, layer upon layer of house paint, broken spokes and one that had the thread snapped in the brass hub. I'm trying to source a spoon brake and if one does not eventuate, I could fit a Philco front brake for some stopping power.
Might fit a Brooks B12 Saddle to it as well. Solid tyres are good. Inch pitch chain cleaned up well.

Note the "footrests" on the forks and the curved seat tube, both throwbacks from the Penny Farthing that had preceded these by only a few years.

Ill post photos as it progresses! By far now my favourite bike in my small and eclectic collection.

Cheers

[trailgumby]

I reckon that might even pre-date 1890.

That suspension fork is very interesting. Shows that the Cannondale Headshok is not a new idea. Does it have a ball-raced headset or is it bushed?

Radial spoking on both wheels? What's in the NDS of the rear hub - is that a brake of some kind? I'm guessing probably not

Fascinating! It really was an age of major technological change and experimentation

[healey100]

Hi,

Forks are bushed only and the spring is very " Humber-like" from around the same time . The rims are non original and later reproductions. No rear brake, just a fixed inch pitch sprocket and axle - spoon brake would have plunged on top of the front tyre.

I've send photos to Paul Farren and he suggests c1890 and quite possibly an Adelaide made " Tyler". Im also told the curved seat tube was only around for a few years, as manufacturers experimented with frames and could possibly be late 1880's.

Cheers

[GaryF]

I can appreciate why this is your favourite bike - very stylish and elegant.

[trailgumby]

Hi,

Forks are bushed only and the spring is very " Humber-like" from around the same time . The rims are non original and later reproductions. No rear brake, just a fixed inch pitch sprocket and axle - spoon brake would have plunged on top of the front tyre.

I've send photos to Paul Farren and he suggests c1890 and quite possibly an Adelaide made " Tyler". Im also told the curved seat tube was only around for a few years, as manufacturers experimented with frames and could possibly be late 1880's.

Cheers

Thanks!

[Clydesdale Scot]

nice one!
for the brake have you contacted Pennyfarthing Dan?
he may be able to make one for you

[ColinOldnCranky]

Ouch. Pram cord.

What is the rim size btw?

[healey100]

Hi,
Without a tyre size, measuring the diameter of the rims- front is 31" and rear 29 1/2"
I guess also a throwback to the Penny Farthing.

Philip, I'm looking for period piece and will be meeting with a member of the Penny Farthing Club SA later this month who may have an original spoon brake.

[Clydesdale Scot]

I hope you get the brake sorted. If you don't, I might let you go in front on this ride for my safety.

[healey100]

Some progress, sorry about the crappy indoor photos.
Nickel came back and looks good with that yellow tinge. Also fitted an oil lamp that actually works.
Still sorting out a few things with the rear axle, a spoke, the rear sprocket and as mentioned before, hope to find a spoon brake soon.
Will also be fitting some nice new cork grips.
Nearly there!

[Torana68]

Nice

[healey100]

Found some time today and here it is pretty much done
Thank you all for your comments.

[LG]

Looks great! Fantastic project you have there. Would be interested in hearing how it handles.

[Clydesdale Scot]

and what is your top speed (on the flat)?
or is it geared for you to ride up Old Belair Rd?

[Sharkey]

That looks fantastic. Well done.

The sloping top tube was waaay ahead of it's time.

[ldrcycles]

That is a magnificent machine, great work!

[MPM]

Love the coaster pegs! Great restore.

PHIL

[Clydesdale Scot]

Love the coaster pegs! Great restore.

PHIL

just use the legs over the handlebars
https://www.facebook.com/BMXMTBDePelota ... 832988785/

[barkmadly]

A great old bike. A great find from another collector I presume?
Bikes from the early 1890's to 1930's is an era of bikes that I am very keen on.
'Solid tyred safeties' are highly prized and valuable due to their scarcity; they were only in existence between the end of penny farthings and safeties with pneumatic tyres - maybe 5 years.
They were also were hellishly expensive during that time too, before the late 1890's boom and subsequent bust that brought bike prices plummeting.
Don't worry about brakes for it. If they were fitted they were mostly ornamental in that era.
These bikes have tall frames with a long head tube and bottom bracket, way off the ground - the other reason for the rear step you mentioned.
Subsequent tall framed racing bikes are rare too - again only in existence for several years - 1896-ish to 1903-ish before bikes with more contemporary proportions, except angles, prevailed.