Sexy Gormully & Jeffery Rambler Model 28 Museum Specimen! TOC Bicycle Porn, Step Right Up!

[Rusty McNickel]

Brant, Maybe by now obvious to you, I've been asleep on the CABE. I did not see any response to your question so; the 28's were 98-99 issues. With that decoration, this shold be a 98. 99 decorations were a geometric pin. Only the manufacturer tag will reveal for sure. I have seen one 99 Rambler frame with a 98 decoration so go figure.

If you concede to new chain guard cord, look on etsy for silk braided cord. There's lots. Maybe you could dumb it down a bit somehow. I have seen the cord used on the manufacturer tags for women's bicycles. Not that it's enough but would provide for a good sample.

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Thanks Mr. @Rusty McNickel! Per your FB suggestion I have tried to retrieve the build card in the seat mast. It is there but is at the very bottom and doesn’t want to slide out. Any suggestions?

 

[Rusty McNickel]

Thanks Mr. @Rusty McNickel! Per your FB suggestion I have tried to retrieve the build card in the seat mast. It is there but is at the very bottom and doesn’t want to slide out. Any suggestions?

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The tags were sandwiched between two leather plugs or coins which you can see in the photo. I would try to get the top leather out before trying to negotiate by it. The plugs do have a hole in the center. Maybe you could use that hole to your advantage or at least skew the plug to get it out otherwise. I would not try to get the tag past the plug though. There's just not enough space to risk a 125 yo paper product. I have used a wire hanger bent to suit to get the tags out. Maybe you can fix a wood or sheet metal screw to the end of a rod and thread it into the plug center hole. That is my vision of how they were placed originally.

Last resort, pull the bottom bracket. Yeah... I know. But, at least you now know it's in there.

 

[Rusty McNickel]

Needless to say, this is a delicate process. Channel your inner surgeon and be patient. If at some point you decide it's not worth the risk, so be it. At least you know it's in there, for posterity.

 

[Rusty McNickel]

This is what you are dealing with. I used a drywall screw and it threaded into the plug nicely. Now you just need a thingamajigger to get the screw threaded into the plug should you go that route.
While I'm at it, some nice 125 yo virgin cord on a tag from a 97 model K although your tag string may be of a jute type.

 

[Rusty McNickel]

 

[Rusty McNickel]

This was the basic tool issue for men's bicycles. The only thing missing is the stamped steel multi-tool which is shown in a separate photo. I believe pumps were sold separately.

I have several of the combo spanners, this is the only one of mine that retains nickel. They are fairly easy to come by and there are some that are open end on both. If you do look for one, I suggest the combo as opposed to the open ends. Many of these wrench openings have been spread out, probably from being applied to fasteners they were not intended for (GJ bastardized their head sizes). The box end obviously cannot be spread and there is no application of that size fastener anywhere on the bicycle that requires an open end.

Also be aware that many of these tools, including the screwdriver/wrench combo have been purposely modified to fit larger conventional sized fasteners.

Amazingly, with these three tools, the entire bicycle can be completely disassembled which was GJ's very intention.

 

[Hardrider]

great

 

[Rusty McNickel]

Brant, regarding the rim stampings, I have an original set of 97 rims displaying the older stamp you have. While I do not have any 98's, I do have 99 and 00's with the newer stamp of yours. There was a change from 97 "rosewood" finish to a 98 "mahogany" finish, the latter being the lighter color. So if the finish is the same on both rims as it appears to be, the difference in the stamp may just be an indiscriminate hiccup in inventory use. Perhaps if the tag is ever retrieved it may reveal an early 98 build when some 97 stock was left unused.
1897

1899

1900

 

[Nashman]

Wow...................................