Metis

Looking through some old family photos and came across this. I'm guessing this is from right around the turn of the century because it looks like my great grandpa and he fought in WWI. Any chance someone knows the bike make/model or a way to figure it out?

non-fixie 

Alas, no. But that's one of the coolest path racers I've ever seen!

Thanks for posting it.

clubman 

It certainly resembles a Canadian roadster from the late 1800's. Brantford, Goold, Red Bird and Massey Harris made very similar bikes.

noglider 

@Metis, if that picture is cropped, I'd love to see the rest of it. Old pictures fascinate me. Back then, it was not expected that subjects would smile.

Metis

Guess my great grandpa was a teacher's pet.

The Golden Boy 

Big wheels, big rubber. What's old is new again!

pastorbobnlnh 

...and chrome socks on the front fork!

OP, do you know where the photo was taken and where the school was located? That could provide another clue.

OldsCOOL

I also love old pictures and this one is awesome! Love that high BB. Betcha that was a fast bike in the day.

jethin

Yeah, but he’s still an old school fixie hipster.

Velognome 

IMO There is noting remarkable about the frame. The rear stays look like bolt ups, and there is no chain tensioner bolt visible, I'm guessing it's a Roadster based bike. I'm guesing the photo is from the turn of the century and there were parts mfg. all over the country supplying chainrings, stems etc. So Id-ing by crank, stem or frame is kinda futile. If you can enhance the photo to see the shape of the headbadge you might have some success. What I find interesting is the saddle and seat pin, looks very slim for the period. The style of bike is more a Scorcher then a pathracer.

The Golden Boy 

A REALLY old school.

rhm

With the very high BB as @OldsCOOL mentioned, very short top tube and stem; a very upright riding posture. I wouldn't use terms like "path racer" or "scorcher" or even "roadster." What we have here is your basic single speed bike. I assume there was a coaster brake, though I don't see it. Without toe clips and pegs on the fork, I think we can rule out fixed gear.

No pump, no rack, no way to carry more stuff than will fit in the little tool kit slung from the top tube, this bike was used for only short distances. Hanging from the top tube are a couple straps, presumably for Mr. Teacher's trouser cuffs.

It sure is a great photo! Some of those lucky kids even had shoes.

noglider 

Holy poop, I hadn't noticed that.

I love the dour expressions of people in old pictures.

texaspandj

[QUOTE=noglider;
I love the dour expressions of people in old pictures.[/QUOTE]

It's as if they knew they would eventually die. Very unlike us, who think we'll live forever.
Btw they were right......and we might be right too.

Metis

Pretty sure this is Colfax, Iowa sometime right around 1900. Were department store bikes the thing back then?

non-fixie 

non-fixie 

Interesting picture. The bike was apparently something special, or it would never have been in this picture. I'd love to know the story of the boy holding it. It's definitely for a reason.

clubman 

In 1900, bikes were still prestigious. Getting your picture taken was also special so shoeless children says something about the quality of life at that place and time.

The schoolhouse looks to be circa mid-19th century with 6-over-6 panes and modest lintels. Whatever that is worth.

3alarmer 

...looks a lot like a Wright Brothers Van Cleve, of which they made and sold a few. The closer the photo was taken to Dayton, Ohio, the more likely this becomes.

Metis

It does look really similar, especially the seat/chain stays. Looks like their factory is 571 miles from where the picture was taken.

Crossthreaded88

Nice detective work there. Totally impressed and I think you nailed it. Proves what is new is old. Damn whipper snappers!

vintagerando

The bike must have been important to the owner (I guess the school teacher) to make it into the picture.

DrNeville

Nailed it imo

My grandfather cut half of his handlebars off during WW2, so the germans wouldn't take it

3alarmer 

Catalog for Van Cleve Bicycles, Wright Cycle Company, 1900

...Van Cleve was probably considered a better bicycle at the turn of the Century. One supposes that $47 was a significant investment in 1900.
The Wright Bros are better documented than most, because of their flying success.

iab

Chrome plating was not commercially available until the mid-20s. Nickel socks more likely on the fork.