TRIBUNE RACER bicycle
03-12-16, 05:54 AM
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TRIBUNE RACER bicycle
Does anyone have any knowledge of the TRIBUNE RACER manufactured by the Westfield Mfg. Co., Westfield, Mass. please ?
I have one of these bicycles, possibly a 1916 model and with a frame serial number either H91238 or 491238, which I'm going to restore.
Thank you.
I have one of these bicycles, possibly a 1916 model and with a frame serial number either H91238 or 491238, which I'm going to restore.
Thank you.
03-12-16, 06:15 AM
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I cannot help with the Tribune Racer, but Westfield sure has a history. Start here
Factory History
I'm told (seen recent photos IIRC) the headquarters building is still there in the Mass hills.
Factory History
I'm told (seen recent photos IIRC) the headquarters building is still there in the Mass hills.
03-12-16, 06:45 AM
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Can't say I know anything on this one but post some pics for us to enjoy. I'm sure someone here will chime in but pics usually promp someone here to help do the homework.
03-12-16, 09:06 AM
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Yes, I saw that one sold on Ebay, just a few days ago, for something less than the $800 BIN. That is one nasty warp in the front wheel. You may get more information by posting on The CABE forums.
03-12-16, 10:46 AM
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Hello,
Thank you for your interest.
re. "for something less than the $800 BIN" - that is pure speculation, I paid the asking price of $ 800 USD for the bicycle.
The deformation in the front wheel rim is not a problem for me, wood rims are not difficult to coax back into line.
The attached photographs might be of interest. The photograph of J.F. Donahue's shop front window shows on the right-hand side, what I believe to be the Racer model, priced at $ 40 USD. Apparently there were 23 models to choose from.
The black on white "unknown" silhouette is from the Chainwheel Tattoo web-site and it appears to be a Tribune. The early Tribune bicycles were manufactured by the Black Mfg. Co. of Erie Pa and I read that this was one of the companies absorbed by Westfield.
I have been told that this bicycle was a "board track racer", but I presumed that these tracks were solely for motorcycles.
Thank you.
Thank you for your interest.
re. "for something less than the $800 BIN" - that is pure speculation, I paid the asking price of $ 800 USD for the bicycle.
The deformation in the front wheel rim is not a problem for me, wood rims are not difficult to coax back into line.
The attached photographs might be of interest. The photograph of J.F. Donahue's shop front window shows on the right-hand side, what I believe to be the Racer model, priced at $ 40 USD. Apparently there were 23 models to choose from.
The black on white "unknown" silhouette is from the Chainwheel Tattoo web-site and it appears to be a Tribune. The early Tribune bicycles were manufactured by the Black Mfg. Co. of Erie Pa and I read that this was one of the companies absorbed by Westfield.
I have been told that this bicycle was a "board track racer", but I presumed that these tracks were solely for motorcycles.
Last edited by keidal; 03-13-16 at 05:18 PM. Reason: photos in wrong place
03-14-16, 04:18 AM
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Apologies for the previous messy reply. How and why the photographs were in the middle of the text, I know not.
I will try and put the photographs on later today.
A friend in the USA has told me that Tribune Bicycles started production in 1894 in Eerie, then in 1897 the company was sold out to The American Bicycle Co. in Chicago. From 1903, the bicycles were manufactured in Hartford Ct.
My bicycle was produced possibly in the Hartford factory by the Westfield Mfg. Co. and the model was a - Tribune Board Track Racer, manufactured in 1916 as a Limited Edition of 500. It was finished in black; whether other colours were available is not known. Bright parts were nickel-plated and the hubs were New Departure, Model type A coaster at the rear.
I will try and put the photographs on later today.
A friend in the USA has told me that Tribune Bicycles started production in 1894 in Eerie, then in 1897 the company was sold out to The American Bicycle Co. in Chicago. From 1903, the bicycles were manufactured in Hartford Ct.
My bicycle was produced possibly in the Hartford factory by the Westfield Mfg. Co. and the model was a - Tribune Board Track Racer, manufactured in 1916 as a Limited Edition of 500. It was finished in black; whether other colours were available is not known. Bright parts were nickel-plated and the hubs were New Departure, Model type A coaster at the rear.
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