HISTORY: The first effective hub gear was patented by Seward Thomas Johnson of Indiana, USA, in 1895. It housed the epicyclic mechanism in a drum adjacent to the drive sprocket; engagement of either gear gave a fixed wheel condition. William Reilly was the inventor of this two-speed hub. It was similar to Johnson’s, but had […]
‘THE HUB’ Two-Speed Gear, Model ‘No 2’. Read More »
While it’s not surprising that a few of the bicycles built by one of the world’s top cycle manufacturers such as Coventry Machinists Co have survived for 133 years, there are some delicate parts on a bicycle that nearly always succumb to the ravages of time. Worn leather saddles and handlebar grips are damaged easily
Addicted to Patina Read More »
Until 1910, BSA sold only components and bicycles in ‘knock-down’ form. These were known as BSA FITTINGS MACHINES. HISTORY: BSA made Otto bicycles in 1880, followed by a variety of other bicycles and tricycles, until October 1885, when they decided to give up making complete cycles and parts to focus on Government orders for
It took me over a year to get this 1897 Triumph from the previous owner, but I eventually managed, in 2013, However, I was faced with a dilemma. It was in wonderful preserved original condition but its front tyre was perished which made the bicycle unrideable. It’s a 30″ size and tyres in that size
1897 Royal Triumph No 1AA for Gents Read More »
Like the Creature from the Black Lagoon, this Ariel ‘Featherweight’ X Frame strides out of the River Ouse to take its rightful place in bicycle history. George Morris of the Referee Cycle Co patented most permutations of X Frame bicycle. He had an arrangement with Charles Sangster of Components Ltd to make and sell
Risen from the Deep Read More »
