*updated pics posted below*


So I found an old bike that looks to be from the late 1890's to early 1900's buried with old farm equipment in an attic on the farm. Fleetwing cycle company, Buffalo, NY.

I am an avid cyclist and mechanic for my current fleet of bikes but I know nothing about these old bikes. I would like to possibly get it up and running or at least clean it up to display.

The bike seems to be in decent shape(for a 100 year old bike) except for the tires. the front tire is gone and the rear is shot. The rims are smooth and there is nothing to hold the tire onto the rim it would appear.

1. Am I going to be able to get replacement tires for this bike?

The bike has a front brake that compresses the front tire from above with a metal u shaped device. Pretty cool.

I am sure pics would be helpful for you and I will try and post tonight.

Another thing of interest on the bike is the fender and chain guard have twine laced around them. I presume that is to keep pants legs/dresses, etc. from getting wrapped up in the chain/rear wheel.

Hmmm.....I was going to blow off the dust with an air compressor but I guess I will wait.

Pictures please!

Agreed! Pictures first! Improper cleaning can destroy such amazing things as that!

(NO, don't use Meguier's ScratchX on it!)

There was a fleetwing that was a house brand of Boston's Jordan Marsh department store chain. But yours sounds like the fleetwing of buffalo cycle co, 1890-1930's. example;

The leather on the seat is a bit cracked up too.

WOW! Pretty much intact! I'm guessing it might have had solid tyres? Anyone got any better ideas/info???

what remains of the rear tire looks to be pneumatic. There is actually a valve stem on it.

You know, with some contrasting deep v rims, some bull horns, and a set of clipless pedals you'd have a pretty tight fixie.


I kid i kid. That's a sweet bike and looking at the rims... i would assume solid tires too.

That front brake is just awesome.

Found one on ebay with a good desciption, says wood rims, pneumatic.


https://cgi.ebay.com.my/1896-7-FLEETW...item3a54abdb23

Its got a small gear on it so I was going to make it my 'polo' fixie

I thought the rims were metal at first but it looks like they are wood. It was tougher to tell than I thought it would be because they might be painted or just have alot of grime on them. There are a couple of areas where you can see wood grain though on the rims.

For a bike that old I think Copake might be a better auction site to consider then Ebay, if you're going to sell it.

Hmmm.......not trying to sell it, really just interested in

1. trying to locate tires for it (if possible)

2. Finding out tips on cleaning it up. Should I just use simple green and Naval Jelly?

I'll try it out, thanks for the tip

You want singletube tires. Are those rims about 25" on the outside? those fit a 28" (outside diameter) singletube tire. Coker has them, so does Memory Lane. There's a little machine shop that makes them too, I'll look up the name when I have a minute. They're kind of expensive, like $300 a pair. Memory lane has some tubular singletrack tires that fit for less but they don't look exactly right. Sheldon brown has a bit about how to make your own out of canvas and latex. If they're 24" tires (with about a 21" rim) first flight has a used pair for $100. They glue on with regular tubular glue. The guys at www.thecabe.com talk about using some sort of 3M adhesive. I think they used some sort shellac back in the day.
The rims might be steel sheathed wood. That was popular back then. Folks just didn't trust that skinny steel shell.
Compressed air should be ok but don't blow the wooden parts clean off the bike. The rims look to be in great shape if they are all wood. Those usually warp and split.

Your's looks older that 1910 but I don't think Lobdell was the first to do this.

yep, 25''. $300 is a bit steep but I think maybe worth it if I can get the rest of the bike cleaned up good.

I think you might be right. I can see some wood grain on the tire side but it looks like a metal venier on the inside of the rim.

thanks for the info.

Wow!!! A true museum piece you have there. PLEASE DON'T TOUCH/REMOVE THAT 100 PLUS YEAR OLD PATINA! An object that old and intact should only be lightly dusted. at most.
Imagine all that's past since that bike was onthe road....man's first flight (The Wright Brothers), Two world wars, The depression, Skyscrapers, Man in space and on the moon......
If only that bike can talk....ti's a virtual time machine.

Chombi

Cool, a very early safety bike with pnematic tires, that appears to be restorable to museum quality condition. That is an amazing find; I know they are out there, but seeing them turn up like this amazes me.

These bikes are what rendered the high wheel bikes with their solid tires obsolete. Yet, it still has features of a high wheel bike: it's upright riding position, wooden rims, and it's spoon brake. Here is a spoon brake on a high wheel bike in a local museum:



I think those features date it to 1890-1900. It is a ladies bike, so it does have the lacing on the chain guard and rear fender to keep the ladies' skit out of the chain and spokes; it also has the low top tube that ladies bikes still have today to enable a lady in a skit to straddle it.

If I was fortunate enough to be in your shoes, I would see if there was a wheelman club near you, or join the forum on the www.thewheelmen.org website. Those folks are used to working with a bicycle of this vintage, and can recommend resources to assist you.

A museum quality restoration may increase it's value; while a less-than-professional restoration would ruin it's value. Like others have advised, I would proceed carefully in it's restoration, and make sure it is safe to ride before attempting to do so.

-James

very nice find. a very gentle cleaning wouldn't hurt.

wow that bike looks really cool! i wonder how it rides...

green with envy!

Try a magnet. Also remember that some of these wood rims were dipped in lead as a preservative before the steel was put on so be tidy with what falls off of it.
I've got a singletube that's got to be at least 50 years old. I'm trying patiently (desperately) to fix one of the leaks it has. I don't want to spend all my christmas money on one tire.

WOW! I'm stunned!

The wheels are wood.