When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Help ID early diamond frame

-

bud poe

I live for the CABE
Picked this frameset up a few years ago at the Iron Ranch swap and am now finally getting around to tinkering with it. Pretty lightweight and no holes for fenders. Haven’t pulled the crank yet. Frame looks lugged and possibly nickel forks. Any ideas of maker or approximate era?
Thanks in advance for any info.
6C1BBCA6-D9A5-4216-BBCE-024DD0A926F7.jpeg
55B41069-6E11-4DF4-957D-065C5855DCC7.jpeg
B11F03B0-7BC3-4F3B-A0F0-078F12348270.jpeg
CE7A9AF2-43FD-4178-B1EC-36F1A098C8F9.jpeg
347FADB1-C639-4C4E-AE08-DFA4B09E164F.jpeg
E31F8A95-AB3B-40E7-8DC2-45D68CCFBAA2.jpeg
BC58105E-01F6-40D6-AC64-7718CD96CC40.jpeg
 
It is definitely a 1902-1904 Tribune. 1899-1902 had a different chain adjuster than yours. From my research 1903 and later used what is on your frame.

The serial number will help date it. It is hard to read the number in the photo. Can you confirm what it is? I am seeing 81547 which would be 1902, which does not make sense with the chain adjuster, but it could be 91547 which would be 1903-04. I will add more information after confirming the serial number.

Thanks for posting - Jeff Kidder

From 1902 Tribune Catalog:
1309322


1309323
 
@Blue Streak thanks for the info! I’ll try tomorrow to get a better idea of the actual numbers. It’s a neat frame. Could you post more of the catalog pages that pertain to this model? Curious about what stem, bars & saddle to start looking for. I need a badge and a block chain too....
 
For 1902 Tribune offered the Model 750 and the Model 75 (road version) per above catalog page. Both would have the front sprocket arms finished to a "knife edge" which is what yours looks like. Other models have a squarer edge profile. Below is 1903 catalog cut for Model 850 and Model 85. Also photos of a 1903 Tribune Model 850 at Rural Heritage Museum in Maryland from www.Sterba-bike.cz which has same knife edge sprocket detail and your chain adjuster. I think yours is 1903 Model 850 or Model 85 based on sprocket detail and chain adjuster. Standard frame color and center stripe on wood rims during these years was Tribune Blue (robin's egg blue) although black was also available.

Tribunes were made in Erie PA from 1894-1899 by Black Manufacturing Company. In the Fall of 1899 Black Mfg. sold out to the American Bicycle Company (The Trust). The factory remained in Erie from 1900-1902. In August 1902 the Erie factory closed and production was moved to Westfield MA.

From 1903 Tribune Catalog:
1309414


1903 Tribune Model 850 at Rural Heritage Museum in Maryland:
1309418


1309420


1309421


1309416


1309417


1309415
 
Wow once again thank you so much for all the info and pics! It seems mine is likely the model 850 racer. I still plan on getting a better idea of the serial #, will post that here. I’d like to get a block chain but it seems like a roller chain would at least been an option. I need to scrounge some chain adjusters, might have some in my junk, or I can make them. I have a headbadge on the way. Saddle will be difficult to source...
 
Back
Top