fender76

Thanks! The timer measures how long it takes me to get from zero to 60. Kidding.

It's a what I would assume period-correct combination lock. There's a chain bundled up in that cylinder.

My guess is that the bike never saw much use (little to no wear on the pedals) and was kept somewhere dry. It really doesn't have many scuffs or wear marks at all

Roll-Monroe-Co

What the?! Is that a thermostat?

fender76

Anyone know the deal with the old Lucas light on the chainguard? And how it was powered?

Roll-Monroe-Co

OH! I see...

Wow. That bike is really really cool.

greengage

Fantastic--and so that other cylinder thing contains the jet-packs and parachute? cool!!

But seriously--you are going to have a lot of fun on that bike! There's just something about the geometry of the older bikes that's unbeatable. And of course once you ride a bike with 28-inch wheels, it's hard to go back to 26. I took my Sports out yesterday for the first time all summer and it felt like I was pedaling a kiddie-car. It's so perfect--I'm sure it'll be hard for you to find a balance between riding it around the 'ville every day or hanging it up on a wall and just gazing at it, but I hope you'll ride it a lot.

fender76

I agree. So what the heck does that mean?

An AW Q? Is there such a thing?

fender76

More questions. Is it possible this is a full oil bath system? I noted a leaking oily screw in this picture

I guess I assumed these full chalkboards weren't oil bath

fender76

^^^ not chalkboards. Thanks to my iPhone for that. 'chainguards!!'

greengage

I keep coming back to ogle your bike--that is really the coolest thing I've seen in a while. Keep posting pics! And that light--it's not a dynamo? Wired to anything?

fender76

so I just washed and waxed her. This thing has DEFINITELY been used only a handful of times. I feel like I have a 70 year old new bike....really maybe the most amazing thing I've ever picked up

I put new pictures at the beginning of the thread.

oh and the light is a never-used Lucas rear light that takes one C or D battery.....

greengage

have you taken it for a spin yet?

fender76

no

greengage

Does it need anything else--tires, brake pads, etc.?

fender76

It has Dunlops on it that say 'inflate hard' with full tread. Could those be original?

No everything works. Brakes etc

greengage

I think so, but I'd defer to Neal and Kurt on those kind of details. I can't imagine with the near-perfect state this bike is in that it ever needed new tires. I still can't believe those decals and the pinstripes...you can have a look at mine on flickr to compare--mine has a nice patina but virtually no markings left on it at all. https://www.flickr.com/photos/51627003@N05/4750082813/

Anyway, enjoy--I hope you get a chance to go ride it soon. I left my bike down on the Cape and I miss it so much--very relaxing ride!

fender76

Thanks! I can't wait to take it for a spin. I may put a little clear nailpolish or something over the gold/red to preserve it..

mkeller234

Wow, super find! The Boston really is chalk full of English treasure. You really really ought to take pictures of all of the decals and send them to Kurt to document on his web page. It's rare to find one that old in that condition. Congratulations and enjoy it (and post a steady stream of more pictures)

Do you know the combination to that lock?

nlerner

Yeah, that Q is just a random stamp from the Sturmey Archer folks. I'd bet money that the hub is a '36, first year of the AW, and likely the whole bike.

Neal

fender76

wait - first year of the Tourist itself?

fender76

this was a Cape Cod find, by the way - I saw it on craigslist and emailed and called the guy right away. I knew it was something

Incidentally he picked it up for 20 bucks at a yard sale in Dennis!

I just took the bike for a ride - wow it's really amazing!

nlerner

No, I meant that the whole bike was likely a '36. The tourist model came out in the 1910s, I believe. Maybe even earlier.

Neal

fender76

got it - thanks Neal. Any tips for preserving this gold and red pinstriping? I washed it and just barely hit one spot of the gold stripe and it came right off (I avoided the pinstriping for the rest of the wash/wax)

fender76

a few more shots

clubman 

Wow...the nicest original condition roadster I've seen of it's age, ever and with cool accessories to boot. Just wait 'till you polish that bike up....museum worthy! CL? Not in my town.

snarkypup

Gosh that's beautiful! I'm diggin' the insanely pointy looking baby seat, as well.