A neighbor of mine has this bike. His grandfather raced it in races in Velodromes in New Jersey. After retiring from racing, he attached the brakes and turned the handlebars up. Rims are made of wood. Tires are tubular. Bike is in excellent condition and can be ridden with just minor work. Note the skip-tooth sprockets. The bike is also very light, nearly as light as the track bikes of the 1980's. The Brooks B5N saddle is not original, according to rhm. I suspect the pedals and toe clips are not original, either.

He tells me that the manufacturing date is around 1924. I'll ask him how sure he is of it. I took many pictures of the headbadge, which is legible in person, but none of the pictures allow us to read the name. I've forgotten the name already, so I'll get it from him again.

I don't have time to work on this. Maybe I can encourage him to have the LBS fix it up. I'd love to test ride it!



The rest of the pictures are here. Please look!

I would not let the "LBS" anywhere near this bike. That is a "time capsule" racer. It should be carefully rebuilt be somebody who knows what they are doing and is familiar with this vintage. I'm going to forward this to somebody in your area that I think could be of help.

Really cool machine, and ditto on the LBS comment, unless you know a guy with an outstanding track record.

Way cool, just leave it as is!

fascinating! looks like it might be best restored and hung on a wall though. also the bum bars are hilarious, even though you said they were flipped by the original owner.

Wordplay.

And I agree with the sentiment, this one has to be done right.

You should contact Eddie Albert (not the actor), https://www.thevintagebikelife.com/

He knows more about New England-made track machines than anyone else. Nice guy too. Gave me a lift to a swap once.

Cool your offering up a contact, but how do you know who Noglider's LBS is? ....DO YOU THINK HE'S THAT STUPID!?" Perhaps the shop owner is a C&V forum member?....Perhaps he's very talented and knowledgable and respected CR list member? Careful who you throw under the bus...you may need them someday.


BTW- Very cool Noglider.....did it come out of Newark? I often wonder how many track bikes are left in Newark/Hillside & Maplewood basements.....apparently at least one!

Actually, it was quite common for the riders to turn their bars up (though those are backwards to what I'm describing) during dead times during the six day races so they could sit more upright and rest, even read the newspaper!

I'm thinking lime green deep vee's, hot pink sparkle powder coat, do a bullhorn job on those bars and yer done. Sweet fixie, brah!

[/ducks]

I gave Eddie the heads up on this and he has emailed the OP.

Yes, Eddie has emailed me, and we are talking. I pointed him back to this thread.

If the owner wants to ride it, he should ride it. In fact, I hope he does.

I know my LBS mechanics well. I worked with them at the shop in summer of 2011. I know what they know and what they don't know. They'd know to quit when they're out of their league.

Just one question, Tom. Which is probably none of my business and is irrelevant to this thread; are you not interested in acquiring this bike?
Or maybe it's not available.

That brake is fascinating.

No, the owner has no interest in selling it, since it's been in the family since it was made. So no, I'm not looking to acquire it. I'm sharing it here just to spread the joy of a magnificent machine. I always wanted to lift one to see how heavy they were back then. I assumed a lot heavier than recent bikes. Not so. I'd estimate it weighs 17 pounds, though I haven't weighed it. It was impressive!

Impressive bike. Equally impressive mustache Noglider

This thing is the cat's pajamas!! Is it a BSA or does it just have a BSA ring? I would try and clean and make the wheels usable but definitely get newer ones to ride it. Love those Delta prototypes.



HEY that's my bit!!

Nice find, and nice to know it will be properly attended to. How are the brakes attached - any drilling involved?

It looks like the front brake is clamped to the fork blades just below the crown, and the rear brake is clamped to the seat stays. I'd sure be interested in seeing detailed photos of the brakes. Tom, is there a brand name or patent number on the brakes?

I was thinking it was a Schwinn crankset, but I now see it is not.

Hi all,
Thanks for your comments. This was in fact my grandfathers bike. From information garnered from my family. The bike was built in 1924. He raced in the velodromes in Newark and surrounding areas. This bike has been hanging from the basement ceiling from at least 1978 in my familys home. I recieved it in 1998 and its been in my basement lovingly collecting dust ever since. The only visible manufacturing indications as Tom mentions are the Brooks seat, the front crank is BSA and the frame is from a manufacturer by the name of SCHAERBEEK. Dutch perhaps? I believe he was a member of the Bay View Wheelmen's cycling club located in either Newark or Irvington, NJ. He resided in Nutley, NJ and a cool thing to note, when he was courting my grandmother around 1930, he would ride this bike from Newark to Toms River to see her. He was also a good friend of Wille Honeman, who was a champion rider. I'm wondering if this bike was built by the legendary framebuilder John "Pop" Brennan. He worked at Madison Square Garden and other venues during the six-day races, and built bicycles out of his Newark, NJ workshop for many of the best racers of the day, including Bill Honeman, Frank Kramer, Tino Reboli, Micky Franciose, Charlie Logan, and Alf Goullet.

Scooper: The front and rear brakes are made by Philco they say "British Made" The fronts are indeed clamped onto the front forks and the rears mounted to the frame. I believe these were not original to the bike, as he would ride it on the road to see his girlfriend down in Toms River.

The wheels are wood, not sure if Ash or perhaps Hickory. Stamp on wheels reads Fairbanks/Boston, Alma Michigan. I'll post some pics! Thanks all for your insights!!

Best,
Dan

The bike might weigh less than the mustache.

Great bike Dan. And wonderful story. And those nifty, clamp-on brakes saved the frame from ever being drilled to accept brakes. Wise and thoughtful move on the Grandfather's part. What a bike. Would love to see some pics outdoors if you ever get a chance. Thanks.

Of course, and thanks Tom. Perhaps a bit crass of me to inquire. But I was so curious too see if maybe this might ever grace your collection.

+3 million!

Thanks for sharing. WOW! What a bit of history, more detailed photos would be cool too. Don't see bikes like that very often! Great family heirloom.