Having fooled with a few of these old timers, I have no doubt it would be rideable. I have ridden the heck out of a 1913 bike with original wood rims, and have ridden the 1902 chainless, again, no problems at all.

I hope you can get detailed photos and accurate measurements for the fancy paintwork and perhaps reproduce it, even if done via decals. If so, they would have to be water slide type.

Great find, cool bike, and I look forward to following your progress !

Joe

There's only one opportunity to preserve a patina like that. The decision to clean it up can be made at any time in the future. You may, or may not get all the pieces you need for a resurrection to rideable condition, but I'd leave it intact as is until you do. Err on the side of preservation. There may be more value in it as is than as an incomplete restoration, or worse, as a botched job (nothing personal).

A lot of people see track ends and assume that a bicycle was a track bike but this was how they made bicycles when fixed drives were what everyone rode... in the modern day many companies are fitting track ends to bicycles so that they can accommodate a wider choice in drive configurations. My Pugsley has track ends and a derailleur hangar and the only track it sees in single track.

My 1951 CCM was originally a coaster equipped bicycle and also has track ends but is by no means a track bicycle... the hipsters love it.

yeah, im not sure if its a track bike or not, dont really care i was just trying to find a maker. with no head badge and thousands of bike makers back then, i will probably never know. i will probably try to find something close so i can find a headbadge for it. so far the only thing i have done is what i like to call preservation. bearings and cups cleaned and greased and major rust taken car of. most of it was superficial surface rust, very little pitting.the main reason why im doing a full restoration is the rear ''brake bridge'' is gone. so i plan on putting another one in. i dont plan on doing anything until all missing period correct parts are found. i have a couple other restoration projects in line so this one can wait. i am going to have everything nickel plated and the frame repainted. the wood rims are in great shape so i will refinish them and lace new spokes to them.thanks for all the info.

Sounds like a great plan. Cant wait to see it.

Also...Don't you just hate the "Head Badge Bandits" as I have come to call those who rob a bike of it's identity! Grrrrrrr.

Joe

ABOUT THE WOODEN Rims
are they safe?
it all depends on the glue they were laminated up with
some glues like aerolite have a 40 year lifespan-after that the glue turns to dust and the component comes apart at the seams.
I have seen this with wooden masts.

I predict it was glued with shellac based glue, do not put alcohol near the rims.
if the spokes are shot, de-spoke the wheel and carefully flex the rims and see how they hold,
if you tap on them and they sound good and a nice tone they are most likely just fine.
shellac can hold up very well,
if needed you can now varnish them with a good marine varnish- a 2 component varnish would be great and offer a watertight and airtight wheel

Thanks for the advise.

about the paint

I think you should carefully try to clean it, you can wetsand it but not too close to the artwork.
some careful use of rubbing compound also.
the rust is most likely going through the paint under it-wetsanding the rust might show the paint.

raw Linseed oil(not boiled) can be applied-it will brighten up the color.

I bet it will clean up very well

-show us a nice closeup of the wooden rims!

Mike from American Pickers wants to talk to you.