1897 Crescent courting bicycle

[mike j]

My wife has always liked a bicycle built for two, I never really shared the love. Lately though, I have been liking the Colson steer from the rear, she saw a photo of Norberto's at Trexlertown & loved it. Picked up this Crescent Model 25 at Copake. I think that it is extremely elegant & has some pretty unique features. Finally got to it today. Stripped through the red brush on & the blue underneath, very little original (black) paint under the crank hanger. Nickel plating, overall is not too bad, the silver paint applied to it may have preserved it somewhat. When I get all the parts cleaned & can clearly see what I have, will be better able to decide where to go w/ it.

 

[Sven]

I like it. Very interesting steering set up. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[mike j]

Just about ready for priming. Letting the Rust Mort dry up. The nickel plating is not too terrible considering that it's a hundred & twenty years old. Giovanni said that these bikes came in a optional color of olive. I'm going with satin Italian olive & will attempt to distress it enough to match the patina'd plating. Probably have to fabricate the handlebars & stems.

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Very nice work!

 

[OHcaptain]

Here is a 1897 Model 25 found via The CABE. This will give you an idea of the bars and stems. There are metal bars on some I've seen.
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/c...rchased-chicago-1893.31851/page-2#post-353080

Good luck with the restoration!

 

[Sven]

Looking good! Mike J.
It looks as that you are making great progress. It will be ready for you and the Mrs to take a ride before you know it.

 

[mike j]

Thanks guys, getting ready for paint. Found this Crescent that @cr250mark had posted awhile ago. Believe that this is the olive color that I'm shooting for. Hope to be able to distress it enough to match the plating & make it look somewhat original.

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

I have the original hickory handlebars on my Crescent No.1 and can make a cardboard template, for steam bending some for your tandem. They can be easily finished in an antique patina.

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Here is a ladies....

 

[mike j]

Beautiful bikes Giovanni, thank you very much for the offer. That is extremely kind of you. I would love to do these in wood but not able to at this point. I have them somewhat fabricated in stainless tubing w/ the stem welded to the bars. Though not correct, I believe that they will be passable. Very similar to my 1896 Columbia & the Crescents that I've seen in photo's & catalog pic's sport a variety of handle bar types. The budget is tight on this one & I have a feeling that the ten feet + or - of 1/4 inch block chain is going to eat up most of it.