Classic & Vintage - Turn of the century content: Wright Van Cleve copycat? Ferrier fork? (PICTURES)

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cudak888
06-22-11, 10:47 AM
http://www.kurtkaminer.com/1900_ferrierfork_1.jpg

Been working around this thing for the last two days. It's not a Wright Van Cleve, but it looks like one, right down to the Ferrier (?) fork crown and blades. Same seat lug binder and rear stays too.

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/1900_ferrierfork_2.jpg

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/1900_ferrierfork_3.jpg

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/1900_ferrierfork_5.jpg

Not the Wright badge; and I'd be surprised if it were a Wrights to begin with:

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/1900_ferrierfork_4.jpg

Pedal threads are stripped, and the headset has been buggered up as well - both fixable with some brass to the headset threads (plus re-threading) and helicoils to the crankset. Someone stuck a sleeve in the seatpost too, as if they didn't understand the hex binder used back then.

Otherwise, it's pretty solid - save for the severely warped wood rims.

Straight-pull spokes - and folks thought that was innovative in the 1980's. Hardly:

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/1900_ferrierfork_6.jpg

No luck on getting them to sell, and no - I can't tell you who owns it. Sorry.

-Kurt

AZORCH
06-22-11, 12:24 PM
Wow, that is really cool, and it looks to be in pretty fair condition too. A part of me is intrigued with the antiquity of these kinds of bikes. I see some nice bikes of similar vintage and style show up at tweed rides and have always wondered how they ride.
cudak888
06-22-11, 12:26 PM
Wow, that is really cool, and it looks to be in pretty fair condition too. A part of me is intrigued with the antiquity of these kinds of bikes. I see some nice bikes of similar vintage and style show up at tweed rides and have always wondered how they ride.

I'll bet that it rides equal or better than a 531 upright bar Super Course - it couldn't weigh more than 25 pounds, despite its appearance. Trust me - it is surprisingly light.

-Kurt

ColonelJLloyd
06-22-11, 12:37 PM
One of these days I'm going to get an opportunity to buy a century old bike that will fit me. I will buy it and I will ride it.

I don't know anything about the bike you posted, Kurt, other than that it is awfully cool.
cudak888
06-22-11, 02:39 PM
One of these days I'm going to get an opportunity to buy a century old bike that will fit me. I will buy it and I will ride it.

I don't know anything about the bike you posted, Kurt, other than that it is awfully cool.

I would have taken it for a spin had the pedals been installed correctly, but I wasn't about to take a chance.

A shame too - it is my size, and Mike Terraferma was ready, willing and able to do the repairs on the steerer tube.

-Kurt
cudak888
06-22-11, 11:29 PM
No love for this thing?

http://www.jaysmarine.com/1900_ferrierfork_7.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/1900_ferrierfork_8.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/1900_ferrierfork_9.jpg

-Kurt
ftwelder
06-23-11, 03:07 AM
What, are you kidding? I love these old bikes. it's about 1915-1920 I would guess. Does it have seamless frame tubes? Are the bearing races grooved or square?

My antiques weigh about 29 lbs.
FORDSVTPARTS
06-23-11, 05:29 AM
That's a seriously cool old bike, The saddle is great!

I could spend a day just looking at the little details.
clasher
06-23-11, 07:07 AM
I love the looks of bikes from this period, I'd love to get one anywhere close to that shape. Straight pull spokes to boot... is the lamp gas or battery?
rhm
06-23-11, 07:49 AM
There was a complete Racycle near me a year or two ago, that an antique dealer was selling. I sometimes regret not picking that up. Most of the time, though, I'm glad I didn't.
pastorbobnlnh
06-23-11, 07:59 AM
Kurt,

Don't you love the hubs? If you remember the 1892 safety I found at the dump had hubs which held the spoke nipples. The lacing was radial.
cudak888
06-23-11, 07:03 PM
What, are you kidding? I love these old bikes. it's about 1915-1920 I would guess. Does it have seamless frame tubes? Are the bearing races grooved or square?

No idea - didn't fiddle with it enough to find out; in fact, I was asked not to service this one, as opposed to the rest of the middleweights.


I love the looks of bikes from this period, I'd love to get one anywhere close to that shape. Straight pull spokes to boot... is the lamp gas or battery?

Gas lamp.


Kurt,

Don't you love the hubs? If you remember the 1892 safety I found at the dump had hubs which held the spoke nipples. The lacing was radial.

I love the whole thing. I'm still wondering what they would let it go for, if I pressed the question.

Did you notice that the spokes are tied too? Interesting stuff.

-Kurt