Vintage track bike
Posted: October 7, 2013 Filed under: Other Bikes, What's Up | Tags: fixed gear, Lobdell wood rims, New Departure, Track bike, vintage track racer 2 CommentsAround the shop, fall is the time when bikes are always getting moved around to make room for winter storage. This old fixed gear was in transition from one garage to another so we took photos of it while it was out. It was originally found in a shed in Silver Springs, NV of all places, about as far away from a velodrome as it could ever get. It’s amazing that the Lobdell wood rims didn’t cook during the many summers it sat in storage. Thankfully they (and the rest of the bike) weathered pretty well.
As far as what it is, we’re not really sure about the manufacturer or year of the bike. It has New Departure hubs which were pretty standard on bikes in the 1930’s-1940’s so there’s a hint if they’re actually original to the bike. It also has reverse dropouts so it looks like it was a purpose-built track bike rather than a simple conversion. Hopefully some helpful reader will chime in with some information.
A Gazelle by any other name
Posted: August 25, 2013 Filed under: Other Bikes | Tags: Dieren Holland, drum brake hubs, Gazelle, rod brake, Royal Dutch 2 CommentsWhen you think of gazelles you probably think of something quick and nimble. We know we do. This particular Gazelle, on the other hand…
This Dutch-made beauty (circa 1978) is about as “adorned” as a bike could ever hope to be, with lights, generator, wheel lock, bell, fenders, front mudflap, drum brakes and rear carrier (all stock equipment). It even has a chainguard and skirtguard, made predominantly from vinyl, we’re thinking to avoid rust, and hopefully to lighten the thing a little.
Ok, so it might not be Gazelle-quick, but then again, it isn’t the worst bike we’ve ever pushed around. Even with its high profile (the handlebars hit us mid-stomach) and its 28″ wheels, the bike performs modestly well. Agreed, it’s not a Masi, but the bike easily outpaces a Raleigh DL-1 or Chinese equivalent. So, in that regard, we guess you could consider it the “gazelle” of the 28″ wheel bike world. Small claim, but it’s something. 
1973 Phillips
Posted: February 5, 2012 Filed under: Other Bikes | Tags: bicycle restoration, Nottingham, Phillips, Raleigh, Sturmey Archer, three speed Leave a comment Fresh from New Hampshire, this English 3-speed gets everything from new bearings and new grease, to a new owner. Welcome to Nevada, Mr. Phillips.Some Swiss Tonnage
Posted: August 10, 2011 Filed under: Other Bikes Leave a commentOn a whim the Swiss Military Bike and Trailer were brought out of storage for a couple neighborhood rides.
It’s amazing just how much this setup weighs (over 100 lbs). Still, the bike/trailer combo is actually quite ridable. Of course the opinion just shared comes from folks who spend their time on 1930’s balloon-tire bikes, so maybe they aren’t the best critics…
The boy’s match
Posted: March 27, 2011 Filed under: Other Bikes Leave a commentHere’s a good match for the girl’s Raleigh we posted a while ago (it was even made in 1960, the same year.)
This great old burgundy steed arrived from Arizona a couple weeks ago. It creaks and groans and does everything a good ol’ Raleigh should.
Raleigh redo
Posted: March 24, 2011 Filed under: Other Bikes Leave a comment
I decided to jump into the Raleigh right away, more than anything else just to show that projects do get done around here.
The worst part of the refurb was buffing out the paint. Something about Raleigh black paint makes it very prone to oxidation. It took 5 rounds of buffing and nearly 4 hours, but under all the powder was shiny black paint. Most of the gold striping went the way of the dodo, despite my attempts to save it by taping it off.
In the end there is no good financial reason to spend nearly 8 hours on a plain Jane 3-speed (I ended up taking the bike down to a frame and then back up again). I don’t regret the time spent, thought. Chalk it up to “preservation” rather than “profit”.
Hopefully I’ll be able to find a new owner who will appreciate this great little Raleigh.
Coot
