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This is an archive of Vintage Bicycle Information.
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Archived: Hi-Wheeler, Boneshaker and Safety







MISC:   wompa wompa aka ingo? scooter posted by: cindy on 9/7/2001 at 3:12:09 AM
I have two of these scooters and have a ball riding them. I get all of the attention I missed when I was young. Can anyone tell me something about these marvelous scoots? Someone said they were called Ingo scooters. Mine has a name on it "Joyful". I am sure with the exercise craze that they would be very popular today. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Cindy


   RE:MISC:   wompa wompa aka ingo? scooter posted by Cal on 9/10/2001 at 6:31:35 AM
What size are the front and rear wheels?
Ingos were made in the 1930s and go for BIG BUX!

   RE:MISC:   wompa wompa aka ingo? scooter posted by JOEL on 9/10/2001 at 9:42:48 AM
I have 2 of these that I am restoring. I'd be glad to share the info I have gathered.

   RE:MISC:   wompa wompa aka ingo? scooter posted by Ray on 10/1/2001 at 7:27:41 PM
The only info I need is where to get a tire for the front wheel?






MISC:   Help on documentary posted by: Annik Lussier on 9/5/2001 at 1:33:19 PM
Hello,

I am working on a documentary about a legendary bike journey
that took place during the Nome gold rush from Dawson City
to Nome in 1900. Two gentlement completed the journey: Ed
Jesson and Max Hirschberg.

I am looking for any information anyone might have on this
or on bike use during the gold rushes.

I am also looking for Frank Cameron who wrote about the topic
in 1983 in Wheelmen Magazine.

I appreciate your help with this.

Regards,
Annik Lussier
Researcher
Alan Handel Productions









AGE / VALUE:   Tire attachment posted by: Ron on 8/29/2001 at 4:25:23 AM
What`s the best way of attaching a solid tire to wood rims? Hopefully I`ll ride this c1900 many miles and would like to minumize any tire problems.Thanks.


   RE:AGE / VALUE:   Tire attachment posted by Paul on 9/9/2001 at 8:08:24 AM
Ron - How could you? And Why? Perhaps the best way to minimise tyre problems is to walk. (No offence intended).Surely solid rubber tyres will shake your rims to pieces in no time flat. If the rims are old, they may even start delaminating, coming apart at the joins. If you know or can determine the Bead Seat Diameter of your rims, then you can obtain the correct tyre to fit. I don't know where from, but I do see these new tyres often, on new wooden rims, at a local antique collector's. They are of the 28 inch family or tyres, usually 700c, but much wider and heavier. Cheers.






MISC:   technical advice needed posted by: Bob Knight on 8/28/2001 at 6:55:09 AM
I made a deal with my wife, she would allow me to buy a High Wheel and restore it IF I finished making her new kitchen first. Six months ago I bought a 54" Singer c1878
and stashed it away, out of sight, out of mind. Anyway 2 weeks ago I finished the kitchen and pulled the Singer out of storage and took a good look at it. Generally it appears to be in remarkably good condition for its age. It was clearly an expensive machine in its day and the quality of the workmanship is apparent. I have decided to give it a full restoration since it had no original paint on it. I would rather preserve than restore, but this was too far gone in terms of surface finish. Both wheels have spokes missing and the front axle is slightly bent. Last night I dismantled the rear wheel and came upon a puzzle. All the remaining spokes unscrewed easily from the hub, but I cannot remove them from the rim. The spokes are butted or swaged with the thicker (threaded) end at the hub. The rim end is of a smaller diameter and has the end peened over to stop it pulling through the rim when tightened up. The hole in the rim will only fit the smaller diameter not the larger threaded one. I would like to know how this wheel was built up and how to replace the spokes? I'm assuming that the new non peened over spokes are inserted through the rim holes and then the end peened over (with heat?) to the correct length, before being threaded into the hub and tightened?
The second question is regarding the grade of steel used in the front hub. I know how to remove the bronze hub flanges from the original axle, but does anybody know a modern equivalent grade of steel that will be suitable to machine the new one from?
Third question, sorry, does anybody know of a source of the type of spoke described above? I want to rebuild with the correct butted spokes. I can cut/roll my own threads but I need a source of blanks of the appropriate length.

many thanks

Bob Knight


   RE:MISC:   technical advice needed posted by Greg on 8/29/2001 at 5:59:15 PM
As to the spokes, I can make you stainless straight pull spokes up to 4 feet long as long as the thread is a 40tpi and the wire thickness is .120. I can do .105 and .125 in lengths to 23.75" with the same 40 tpi. They aren't the stepped/ground/swaged type but they are good spokes. Since I've never seen a Singer up close and personal I can't tell you how the wheel went together and all the catalog says is direct spokes, but try asking some other wheelmen at www.wheelmen.org You can also try Victory in Florida at Victorybikes.com . They make an excelent reproduction and can probably make all the parts if you give them a sample.
As to axle steel, use a high tensile cold rolled steel or stainless steel shaft. If you are lucky you can straighten the axle you have. Hope this helped.

Greg Barron
RBR Inc.

   RE:RE:MISC:   technical advice needed posted by Bob Knight on 8/30/2001 at 2:49:05 AM
Thanks for the advice Greg. The threaded butted portion of the spokes is more like a British 8 gauge (.160), pretty hefty. I think I'll have to approach some motorcycle spoke manufactures to see if they can help. I took a good look at the axle last night, It's bent into a slight 'S' shape, all in one plane, I suspect from past falls where the pedals have struck the ground. The axle is very hard steel and probably quite brittle by now, for safety I intend to replace this part rather than try and straighten the original.
You mention that "all the catalogue says is direct spokes" does this mean that you have access to a Singer catalogue? I would be interested to know what year etc..

many thanks

Bob Knight

   RE:RE:RE:MISC:   technical advice needed posted by greg on 8/30/2001 at 12:28:44 PM
You might try Buchanan Spokes, 626-969-4655. They make motorcycle spokes and might be able to do yours. I don't think they can do a spoke with a peenable head though. Is it possible that the spokes are just expanded from rust and won't go back out the rim hole? The cat. info I have is from 1880, Singer & Co. Coventry, England. It's part of a compilation catalog I have of European Bikes from 1877 to 1886. As to the axle, you can have another made or you can have yours straightened and retempered. How are you pulling the hub flange off? The steel quality is probably pretty high and you can probably retemper without any trouble. Heat it and relieve it. Talk to a heat treater in your area. Or not... British 8 gauge, leave it to the English to make something a screwy size! Let me know how it goes, love to see pics when done.
Greg






MISC:   Cannon Ball Bicycle posted by: Alun Hughes on 8/24/2001 at 8:10:54 AM
I am researching the history of the Cannon Ball bicycle, which was manufactured in Thorold, Ontario between 1895 and 1898 by Thomas Jones, a jeweler by trade. From 1896 the bicycle had a wooden frame (which easily supported Jones' 240 lb weight), and the 1898 model was selected for display at Queen Victoria's jubilee celebrations in England. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has information about the company, especially if they can tell me where I can find a copy of a catalog (the 1897 version had 24 pages), or a picture of a Cannon Ball, or even an original Cannon Ball. Many thanks.







FOR SALE:   pre 1900 bikes posted by: Gilles on 8/21/2001 at 6:37:44 PM
I have an 1895 Franklin, restored and a Deflange, made in Chicago. For details phone Gilles at 450-475-8043







WANTED:   Hi Wheeler posted by: kelly on 8/20/2001 at 4:10:28 PM
Looking for either an original or replica hiwheeler for someone who is 5' 11"...please email me at cinderella1982_@excite.com...thanks...


   RE:WANTED:   Hi Wheeler posted by Annette & Greg on 8/22/2001 at 12:38:16 PM
Please check out our website at www.hiwheel.com. If you view the antique replicas I think you will be able to find something you like. Let us know if you are interested and we'll see if we can't help you out.
Thank you






AGE / VALUE:   EVANS INTERCEPTOR 100 posted by: JEFF on 8/19/2001 at 12:50:44 AM
ANY INFORMATION ABOUT 24IN. EVANS HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE ON WHAT I HAVE. PLEASE HELP


   RE:AGE / VALUE:   EVANS INTERCEPTOR 100 posted by tom on 9/2/2002 at 10:25:37 PM
My family had two Evans Interceptor 100 26" when I was young.
My older brothers bike was red and had square cross section
fenders,and was probably purchased in 1959. Mine was red,
with round cross section fenders circa 1962. Wheel rims
were white painted steel. Evans was a popular bike, but not
quite the quality/durability of Schwinn at the time.






AGE / VALUE:   Female Rollfast posted by: David Trnka on 8/16/2001 at 7:25:40 AM
I ran across a female Rollfast bicycle s/n: C362472 stamped
on the rear axle area of the frame, along with an SE in a
circle. The color is blue with white pin-striping, and what
looks like white boomerangs on the small tank. The bike is
complete, and just couldn't see it go to scrap, any info ie:
age, worth would be great. Thanks







WANTED:   Minnesota located replica shop posted by: Dan on 8/15/2001 at 7:07:02 PM
Does anyone know the name of a shop - maybe in Mankato, Minnesota, that makes replicas of vintage Hiwheelers or other bikes, circa 1880s-90s? I know there used to be a shop down there, but I can't remember the name of it and don't know if it even still exists.







MISC:   Columbia chainless on eBay posted by: Tom on 8/12/2001 at 4:47:19 PM
Last few hours left to bid on a very nice Columbia chainless---check it out item #1624505100

Thanks!







MISC:   Racycle on ebay posted by: Jim on 8/5/2001 at 3:13:23 AM
I have a Racycle frame on ebay right now. Look under seller name thriumph. Thanks Jim







AGE / VALUE:   New Updated Site! posted by: Greg on 8/3/2001 at 11:43:02 AM
Hey, for those interested, our new site is finally done and up. Go look, www.hiwheel.com







AGE / VALUE:   Old Three Wheeler posted by: Marcia on 8/2/2001 at 5:23:00 AM
Looking for help to identify an old bike found in my attic (old farm house) A short discription, 3 wheels, 2 back are large around 2 ft in diameter. Front is a tad smaller. The seat looks like an old wagon type buggy seat, done in red leather w/gold looking push pins. It has pedels that you push up and down(half pushes). The steering is a long metal rod from the front wheel to the seat. Also it has spokes and hard rubber tires. The bike it self is in perfect shape. I just have no clue if it is a trike or a bike. Not sure what to even do with it. I would be happy with any info.


   RE:AGE / VALUE:   Old Three Wheeler posted by Greg on 8/2/2001 at 8:43:16 PM
Pictures!

   RE:AGE / VALUE:   Old Three Wheeler posted by Paul on 8/4/2001 at 8:19:58 AM
This sounds like a very rare old tricycle from the late 1800's. Unless, that is, it was made privately at a later date. Could you give us more details? Like the width between the rear wheels (track), the distance from the front axle to the rear axle (wheelbase), are the spokes radial or crossed over one another, is there a differential in the rear axle (a brass casting, a lump), any names on the hubs, are the wheels driven by rods or chain from the levers, is there a small wheel at the back to prevent the machine tipping over backwards? Any pictures? If you were to send a photograph to some of the museums, you may get some identification. Cycle museums are to be found by web-searching. A very rare and interesting find.






WANTED:   spokes for a victor high wheel posted by: Tyler on 7/29/2001 at 4:22:56 PM
I am looking for replacement sokes for my 1887 victor high wheel and would really appreciate if anyone could give me a name or phone number of someone to call about finding some. THank you.


   RE:WANTED:   spokes for a victor high wheel posted by Annette & Greg on 7/30/2001 at 10:12:03 AM
Tyler,
Give us a call at 510-769-0980, ask for Greg Barron, and we'll get you set up. If you wish to visit our website it is www.hiwheel.com. We make spokes of numerous different sizes.
Annette