mike cates
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
EAGLE HIGHWHEEL SAFETY 54” SERIAL #1189
1889-1891 EAGLE high wheel safety bicycle made in Stamford, CT.
Stamped 54 wheel size and Serial Number 1189 is in the higher range of known EAGLES as serial number 1395 is the highest found to date.
High Wheel Safeties were made to be a safer approach to the already common "High Wheel", "Ordinary" or "Penny Farthing". The EAGLE was a late bloomer in development of the high wheel safety era. It rides very smoothly with a majority of the rider's weight distributed on the large rear driven wheel as the front wheel skimmed the road ahead. Another advantage is it is almost impossible to do a header over the handlebars and going down hill is much safer with the front steerable wheel leading the way.
Has been in the private hands of family relatives since the 1930's.
Missing one pedal lost by the family years ago, two rear spokes and nipples, one rear spoke is broken at the nipple (blue tape wrapped at nipple in photos).
Brake spoon thin flat return spring is broken off at end where it registers against spoon arm but is an easy fix using a putty knife blade to cut out a new one from to match remnant thickness of existing portion of spring that is still screwed onto the main flat saddle spring with the original two screws.
Seat leather is original and has come loose from where was riveted.
Black cab rubber tires not originals and done in the 60's for parades.
Spokes and nipples are very serviceable.
Rims run true.
Original vulcanite plastic hand grips with slotted retaining screws at ends.
Badge is very legible and readable.
Will not take a lot to make an excellent rider or preserve and display it as is.
A nice time capsule of a hard to find and desirable high wheel safety.
I can box and use my trusted shipper both at a fair additional cost.
$15,000.00
Mike Cates, CA.
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