In my ever-growing collection of bike pr0n, I have this interesting picture of a 1936 Gloria:



What the heck is that on the seat tube?

I thought it was some kind of oiler port but on the other side there already is one:

Maybe it's an oiler itself, hinged so it can pivot down and oil the chain. Maybe. Great pictures, I'd love to see a Gloria in person.

That's a very logical answer; thanks!

https://www.theracingbicycle.com/Preservation.html is where the pics came from.

I suppose one removed the seatpost, topped off with some 30 weight, then rode off into the sunset.

yes, I believe the first is a chain oiler, and the second is just an oil cup to lube the BB. The BB oil cup was a feature that lasted much longer than the chain oiler, you still find cups on BBs into the '60s.

I concur. The seat tube is the reservoir and the central screw adjusts the flow.


Or maybe it's the pilot light...

Or a pitot tube (only it's been turned around sideways) to measure airspeed velocity, with the appropriate sensor to one's cycle computer.

What nationality is a Gloria? Would the Pope have ridden one?

Maybe it can be rotated upside down 180º and the nozzle also left - right 180º, so it would be nearer to the chain?

Yes, it is a chain oiler. You would turn it down to start the flow (drips) while you were riding. Remember the roads that they were racing on were not paved and you were not allowed to have anyone work on your bike except yourself. It was filled through the the top of the seat tube.

It could be a predecessor to today's water bottle. Turn the spigot upward, hit a pothole, get a spritz.

probably prevents stuck seat posts too.