The Carolina Rambler
Finally riding a big boys bike
Hello everybody! I really want to share with yall my latest find. I think everybody who is an antique and vintage bicycle enthusiast has that one bike or bikes that they would consider their "Holy Grail" of finds. The bike or item that they would really love to have above all others, and here is mine. I really love the old-timey things, especially local items from the 1800s that allow you to connect and experience the feel and spirit of the Old South. I managed to buy an 1860s velocipede bicycle. She is genuine, built around the time of the Civil War. I was first turned on to this bicycle 4 years ago, but was not in any position to even consider buying it. But I kept a copy of the sellers telephone number, and decided that if ever I got into a position where I might could try buying it, I would, if he still had it. And I was fortunate enough to get it. This is pretty much the oldest bicycle I have personally ever seen, the oldest that I have. It is at least 150 years old, and I have reason to believe that it is from the Southern Virginia area, and was built in that region as a copy of the European models available for sale at the time. She's still good and solid, appears to have been kept in a dry barn or attic somewhere all this time. I would speculate that the wheels were parted off a century ago perhaps to replace some broken wheels on a wagon or cart back in the day, leaving the frame hidden away to time.
I don't feel that a full restoration is appropriate, given the nice patina and weathered old paint. I don't even want to clean it! Really shows its age nicely, so I will likely have a new set of wheels built and then stain and weather them to match the rest of the bike. Reupholster the seat with some nice aged leather and horse hair padding and fancy daisy rivets, grease er up and in perfect working order again. New twine brake cable too. Its just fun to look at, so primitive and you can see where everything was hand hammered and forged, all hand made wrought iron. Thank you for reading, and any comments or advice are appreciated and may help with decisions made in getting her up and running! Stay safe and healthy out there.
I don't feel that a full restoration is appropriate, given the nice patina and weathered old paint. I don't even want to clean it! Really shows its age nicely, so I will likely have a new set of wheels built and then stain and weather them to match the rest of the bike. Reupholster the seat with some nice aged leather and horse hair padding and fancy daisy rivets, grease er up and in perfect working order again. New twine brake cable too. Its just fun to look at, so primitive and you can see where everything was hand hammered and forged, all hand made wrought iron. Thank you for reading, and any comments or advice are appreciated and may help with decisions made in getting her up and running! Stay safe and healthy out there.
