Help with identifying old bicycle
 

Hi all, I'm having trouble finding out what type of bike this is.
It belonged to my Grandparents who have since passed away.
It has the word Rainbow on it, but I can't find any bikes called Rainbow

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm from Adelaide, South Australia

Thanks
Bretthttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=520855

I am not the expert, but photos of the headbadge, the crankset, any decals on the bike, and any stamped numbers on the bike may help identify it.

Here's some more pics, in one image looks like there used to be a BP sticker on the frame

That looks to be at least sixty years old. But yes, more pics are needed for a better chance at identification.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...5&d=1462941818

That was quick! :)

This seems to be the most important detail, most likely a manufacturer sig.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...5&d=1462947687

Well now that youve highlighted that image , it looks like the Sturt Football Club logohttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=520871

it is a department store bike, from Harris Scarfe

Search results for 'rainbow bicycle' - Digitised newspapers and more - Trove

Great thanks for that

and one it seems won the class at this years Sydney Classic Bike Show
2016 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show, Sat 19 March - Page 2 - Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Ah, yes. A previous owner must have been a Double Blues fan. As well as a British Petroleum customer. We already know more about him than about the bike. :)

Very cool bike! Looks like it will clean up nicely, with original paint and graphics pretty well preserved. The football club sticker is obviously not part of the bike's original decorative scheme, which leads me to wonder of some of the other graphics might also be stickers a previous owner stuck on; but no matter. Very cool.


With the round fork blades, track ends, drop bar, I suspect this may have been an entry level track bike originally. It has many details reminiscent of one I used to have, a Velox "Alvin" from the 1930's.

Just a thought:
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1462965236

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=520909

Now, that is interesting!

That is intriguing!

I have no idea who June Oliver was, maybe the bike was hers at some time.

It's been hanging in the shed for as long as I can remember, over 30 years.

one of your parents know anything of it?

Are you able to tell if the initial on the head transfer is a letter K or a letter R?

Reckon R would make more sense for Rainbow... ;)

Nice sleuthing! I agree that the bike looks prewar judging by the slack angles. The painted blue rim must be original too. What size are the wheels?

I think some are getting a little carried away here.
Rear facing dropouts do not indicate a track bike.
The coaster brake, tyres, mudguards.... and department store origin point to being a roadster. It was a bike, for transport. It was ridden to work, shops etc.
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...pslq4vnw8f.jpg
08 Aug 1940 - Advertising - Trove

I think Ms Oliver would have been on a ladies step-through bike. If the bike was hanging in the garage for 30 years, then I'd be surprised as to why June Oliver's bike riding featured in the short obituary. I would have thought the obit would seek to resonate with current members and provide a balance with old and recent.

I would think the tyres were 28- 1 3/8".
Are there any engravings evident on the chainring or crank arms?

To my eye the headtube decal has a curve leading to the section that is missing. The rainbow and wheel graphic would suggest it is original.

Have you asked family members if they have any information on the bike?

Valid point. It just struck me that the bike's colors were the same as the club colors, and wondered if that was a coincidence or not. Finding that clipping made me lean towards 'maybe not'.

Thanks to everyone for the replies, I think I'll just leave the bike where it is, if it's not valuable or a collector's item. :thumb:

bikes are for riding
clean it up and Boucle de Burbs
https://www.facebook.com/events/1157910354260286/

perfect for that ride

The intrinsic value of the bike may not be high, but whether it's a collector's item will be determined by the history of this particular bike. Given the colors, I'd drop the SFC club historian an e-mail if the bike were mine.

OK, I've sent them an email. I'll post here if it's anything interesting