Here's a fun one. Bicycle from at least 1918

[rockandrollrods]

I've got a bicycle that I'm selling for a client. He purchased almost 30 years ago from the wife of the original owner, who raced it in 1918. I recognize the Fairbanks Boston wooden wheels, but the brand is a mystery to me. The badge has been removed, and I'm no bicycle expert. I can say with some authority though, is that that bicycle hurts like a banshee to ride!

[rockandrollrods]

Whoops. Forgot the question. Anyone know what brand this is? I've been doing to research, but I haven't found much yet.

[bigwull]

by wooden wheels...i assume you are meaning that instead of a tyre there is a wooden rim..it has metal spokes to tension the wheel...so therefore the inner rim i would expect to be metal

[rockandrollrods]

Nope. The spokes are metal but the rims are wood. The tires are rubber.

[rockandrollrods]

The trend of wooden wheels didn't last long. Although my dad has a set of wooden Buick ones from the '20s...

...hmm...maybe it is a trend in my family.

[ghopper1924]

"that that bicycle hurts like a banshee to ride!"


No answer for you on the make/model, but I guess this proves that not everything was better in the "good old days."

[rockandrollrods]

It probably didn't help that I'm too short for it, there are no brakes, and I hadn't ridden a bike in years.

[Ipcress]

Surely that style of drop handlebar is a later addition ?

[rockandrollrods]

That's what I thought, but my client is a bicycle aficionado and he told me that those drop handle bars have been used since before this bike was made.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Neat bike! I would have thought it was later, it must have been quite advanced for its time.

[Ipcress]

From what i can see, drop h/b's were more at an angle back then as opposed to the style made famouse by Raleigh Racers.

A couple of links that might interest you and contact the owners

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/woodenrim/Interesting

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27041895@N05/6872345187/

[rockandrollrods]

Thanks Ipcress! Great links!

I know the story behind. My client is the second owner. He bought thirty years ago from an older lady. Her husband was the one that raced. It is an advanced bike from what I can tell. From what I saw with the gears, every other point was ground down for what I'm assuming is less resistance. Back in the days before doping was the norm at least.

[frogpatch]

Mike from American Pickers would go crazy for that bike. It is a really great item.

[rockandrollrods]

That he would. If only we weren't 3,000 miles apart,

[mart]

Just saw a bunch of the wood rim racers !! Seems that gear design might help in tracking down maker !! Looked at one BSA that was very similar with the skip tooth chain and gear !! You can also try to match that name plate/head badge shape !! I can see the outline but not well !! One place I looked said that in 1900 there were a thousand different makers names in the US !!  Best thing would be to use a collectors site and join the forum !! Found a good one earlier but forgot which it was !!  Will look again tomorrow !!