Lost art of making bikes

[Consigliere]

I found pre-war girls bike two weeks before and when i saw what beautiful stripes were hidden under ugly brown color I had an idea about this topic, I thing vintage central - Europe bikes are very inspirational. They haven´t so beautiful frames like USA bikes but the striping on them was great. Better look on the pictures, pictures tells more than me in English.

My one, Tripol 1928, Czechoslovakian

And this are not mine, but really nice

new paint, but looks like original

chainrings, not mine

and my ones

 

[Graylock]

That is cool stuff. 8)

GL

 

[deorman]

That is some really great old stuff! 8)

 

[jOe]

That's some old world stuff, right there. Lots of inspiration to be found!

 

[Floyd]

Wow!

 

[glenn rich]

wow no.2

 

[Bettleguise]

Bananas!
I wonder if someone could do a chart, or time line sort of thing that showed which countries were making the best bikes at what times. The British and French definitely held the crown for a while but seemed to die out by the 70's. England of course retaining the almighty Brooks saddle for all eternity. Italians got it down for good, at least as far racing frames and components. As for Americans, it seems like we made good bikes from the 30's to the 60's and then crap, then a lot of good smaller companies sprung up during the 90's, Cannondale, Independent, Fat Chance, Seven, ect ect.

 

[udallcustombikes]

Do you have any more pics or information on this drive setup? I have had an idea like this bouncing around my head for a while. I must know more!

 

[Consigliere]

i only find one more picture, the bike is called Diana Special, maker Cycles Bielefeld, year 1894, a muzeum were it is is in czech republic but too far for me to do some better pics

some more chainrings

Pierce, USA, but I´m not sure, this stripes i wanna do on one of my bikes

one interesting bike, but i dont know maker or year of make

 

[Consigliere]

I thing this topic could be great gallery of old stuff

 

[gashuffy63]

Nice too see some bikes dripping with some victorian frills. Reminds me of when I was doing some plumbing work in the basement of a turn of the century office building. Way back in the dark corners of the basement in an area where you had to really crook your neck to see were these super ornate steel pipe hangers that would be unheard of today. BITD form was just as important as function as opposed to today's Wally-World and Home Depot fare. Nice pics, thanks.

 

[Korporal]

Great to see some parts from different companies. Your Tripol looks like an English bike, but with more details. The fancy lugs are really cool too.

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

I found these pics that I think should be included here.
1918 Harley Davidson bicycle.

Harley bicycle sprocket... I love the HDs going around it!