Originally Posted by
exxongraftek
Your memory serves you well.
The MOMBAT website has some additional info along with a bunch of pictures.
Some other components in those pictures are a prototype handlebar-actuated brake system, a later attempt at a clam-shell handlebar stem, and a seat post.
I've never seen evidence that he worked on or prototyped any gear systems. The Cosmopolitans are designed to use center-pull brakes (the rear at least).
Harlan started (albeit a bit late) reinforcing his bike joints with epoxy so they were not just riveted together.
One of the early ones was raced...by Steve Dayton of Indianapolis/ Speedway Wheelmen, in the 1971 Senior Road champion jersey...Harlan is wrenching.
The first time I had heard of the Cosmopolitan was in a Bicycling article from the very early 1970s. I believe it stated that Harlan built the first Cosmopolitan because his son wanted a bicycle and, being an aero-engineer, he thought he could build a better bicycle using airplane technology. His son was the test rider and quashed the handlebar activated brakes. It was really light, about 16 lbs IIRC. I also recall him having a brake in development that was similar to an old spoon brake, in that it acted on the tire, as opposed to the rim. That seemed a bit outrageous to me, given the wear concerns. I probably still have the article, as I rarely throw out any of my cycling literature. If you haven't already seen it, I can try to find it.
My favourite Hi-E design was always the drop cage pedals. I was disappointed when I eventually found out that the basic concept dated back to the late 1890s.