- Joined
- Jan 10, 2013
- Messages
- 176
Here is a ca. 1869 Velocipede back on the road:
http://s53.beta.photobucket.com/use...869 Boneshaker/velocipede.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3
This machine was pretty much worn out when I got it- more pictures of the triangular and egg-shaped "races" are at:
http://s53.beta.photobucket.com/user/gormanao/library/ca 1869 Boneshaker
This bike was probably built by a blacksmith from pictures of, or possibly with a bike made by Pickering in NYC-
http://www.oldspokeshome.com/velocipede-pickering-and-davis-1868
But is a LOT more crude. Frame is all wrought iron, and there were no bearings. The wheels and axles had been replaced by the time I got it. Every moving part was so floppy it was a challenge, and not too fun to ride. I hand filed bronze bushings to fit the original out of round holes, hammered them in to stay put and then made the bores somewhat round with an expanding reamer. The handlebars had been tack welded in place, so I cut through the weld with a Dremel and added steel shims to the square tapers on the front axle- also filed by hand. Once it was back together it was surprisingly rideable. At least downhill-until you need a brake- and on level ground. Up hill is just not going to happen- the steel tires start slipping on asphalt when you bear down on the pedals. The first time that happened I thought I had broken something... The hand filing was interesting- after all that's how a lot of early machine tools and machines were made, but this project convinced me I had to get a lathe bigger than a Unimat.
http://s53.beta.photobucket.com/use...869 Boneshaker/velocipede.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3
This machine was pretty much worn out when I got it- more pictures of the triangular and egg-shaped "races" are at:
http://s53.beta.photobucket.com/user/gormanao/library/ca 1869 Boneshaker
This bike was probably built by a blacksmith from pictures of, or possibly with a bike made by Pickering in NYC-
http://www.oldspokeshome.com/velocipede-pickering-and-davis-1868
But is a LOT more crude. Frame is all wrought iron, and there were no bearings. The wheels and axles had been replaced by the time I got it. Every moving part was so floppy it was a challenge, and not too fun to ride. I hand filed bronze bushings to fit the original out of round holes, hammered them in to stay put and then made the bores somewhat round with an expanding reamer. The handlebars had been tack welded in place, so I cut through the weld with a Dremel and added steel shims to the square tapers on the front axle- also filed by hand. Once it was back together it was surprisingly rideable. At least downhill-until you need a brake- and on level ground. Up hill is just not going to happen- the steel tires start slipping on asphalt when you bear down on the pedals. The first time that happened I thought I had broken something... The hand filing was interesting- after all that's how a lot of early machine tools and machines were made, but this project convinced me I had to get a lathe bigger than a Unimat.