Hendee Mfr./Indian Cycles Regas Spring Frame Bicycle

[Kombicol]

I already looked at those
Too short too fat
These are about 1/2” diameter and 12-14” long
Dave suggested to find a local manufacturer

 

[lgrinnings]

Compression springs are pretty readily available in an assortment of sizes and weights...

The Spring Store - Over 70 Trillion Custom & Stock springs

Over 70 Trillion high quality compression, extension, torsion & conical spring designs. 3D views, CAD files, Blueprints, Online Force Tester

www.thespringstore.com

 

[Jesse McCauley]

Gotta love this tech and thread -
Just because it is not yet posted here though I know it is elsewhere I will attach this Regas Vehicle advert image -

 

[Jesse McCauley]

A toe clip by any other name....

 

[Tall]

A toe clip by any other name....

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Here are the same Sager toe clips that are on my bike

 

[happyclark]

First I would like to thank Ken @Hastings for the opportunity to build out this awesome spring frame.

Sager is well known for his saddles and other bicycle components. From preliminary research posted on this forum, and other information I have found, Sager first tried to patent a spring frame similar to the "Hygienic Cushion" frame popular at the time. I suspect this patent was denied because it was too close to the Hygienic design. This frame is Sager's second patent attempt. The “Regas” Cushion design incorporated two springs in the upper rear stays and a pivoting bottom bracket. Regas is Sager’s name spelled backwards. The frame design was licensed to several bicycle manufacturers (according to Sager’s advertisements). I can conclude Iver Johnson and Hendee both used the design. Sager also sold bikes from his own retail establishment under his manufacturing company’s name.

What I need assistance is the following:
1. Does anyone know other firms who used this design?
2. Can anyone identify the fork used on this bike along with the tall/flush lower headtube bearing race? It is interesting that it sits flush with the tube. The upper race height is what we more typically see but is flush with the tube as well.

Thank you for any input and assistance. Kindly, Brant

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I have same frame Original paint with an Indian badge on it. Not sure if there a fork I’ll take a look.

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Cool Brant! I wish I could help you on the sager frame... never seen one! Not trying to hijack your thread, but I have had three different Sager front forks. This one is an attachment that was sold separately as an accessory. I believe early Motorcycle 1904-ish. I have an eary motorcycle I am going to use it onView attachment 1506308

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Here is the patent info and and advertisment for the fork:

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Hendee Regas badge; my Oley pick up!

 

[New Mexico Brant]

I just did the first mock-up of the 1903/03 the Hendee Mfr. built Regas Spring Frame bicycle. It is my theory Hendee Mfr. built this bike for Sager to sell out of his retail establishment in Rochester, NY. There is no evidence Sager was building any bicycles at this time so contracting them to one of his client firms makes sense. Indian Cycles/Hendee seems to be one of the few/only manufacturers to be using Sager's Spring Frame design at this early date. As we know, Iver Johnson does adopt the design but not until later on; can anyone comment when this type of spring frame first appears in the Iver catalogs? This bicycle was discovered by Ken @Hastings at a farm outside of Rochester, NY. The fork is seemingly original as are the chain ring and cranks; these differ from what Indian was putting on wheels they were selling.

Indian Cycles/Hendee was offering the Regas Spring Frame in 1902 & 03 per their catalogs. It is unknown to this writer if bicycles were still be offered in 1904 as it has been said the company decided to just focus on motorcycles. I have yet to see a full version of a 1904 catalog. One would think 1904 may have been a transition year with some bicycles being sold.

Interestingly, another Hendee built Regas frame exists with the Indian Script badge. It is an original bicycle that was discovered in a basement in Maine. Hopefully the owner will post images on this thread. It would be great to get these two bicycles side by side to compare.

As state above, this is my first mock-up so some modifications are forthcoming. Indian Cycles was marketing the bicycle with Troxel saddles; I would prefer to fit this example with a Sager saddle considering it was likely sold in J. Harry Sager's shop and the build-out is already slightly different. Red button thread tires will be used instead of Fisk Premiers; the mock-up has two different types, Pennsylvania Clinchers and Syracuse Studs. Both would have been readily available aftermarket tires to the bicycle's original owner.

The struggle for the past day has been getting pedals to mount! I can get standard 1/2"- 20 tpi pedals to start on both sides but only for about a half a turn. The the crank threads have been cleaned and I have chased them with dental tools. Six different pairs were tried. It seems the pitch is different on these cranks; possibly 1/2" by 24 tpi? If anyone has thoughts please let me know. I do have a six spoked Indian chain ring from that period I could use on the bike but would rather use the og ring as discovered.

 

[Bikermaniac]

Here's the Indian head badge.