mike cates
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
I'm only addressing the early Victor safety bicycles here for clarity for everyone's knowledge.
The Victor high wheel bicycle was also produced along side these safeties as well and I may address this in the future.
1887 – First version “Cross Frame” preceding the then competing 1888 Columbia“VELOCE” which also had a cross frame. Victor (Overman Wheel Company, Boston Mass) was the first American Made chain driven safety bicycle. In 1887 the name badge was on the single down tube facing upwards. Crank sprocket had cast spokes. Front fork springs and adjustable fixed strut rod all terminated at the front axle which captured them through forged eyelet ends. Hard rubber wired on tires. Front wheel brake spoon.Hinged spindle steering to front fork. One of these is a example I sold to the Bicycle Museum Of America, New Bremen, Ohio and was restored by Bob Jameson, Ohio (RIP) and excellent work and focus to detail. I learned A LOT from you over the decades.
1888-1889 The Model A had a newly designed frame with curved top tube.
Name badge was on this top tube. Cast spoke crank sprocket remained in these years. Hard rubber wired on tires. Rear brake spoon with linkages to the handle bar brake lever.
1890-1891 Other alphabetically listed models introduced for men and women (ex: Victoria model). Crank sprocket now had a pattern of small and large cross holes. Newly designed steering incorporating a steering head tube with ball bearing cups and races. Name badge was on the front of the head tube.
Now manufactured in Chicopee, Mass (previously Boston, Mass) .
Somewhere in the early 1890's a change was made within this year as the front axle was now carried in a separate forged drop out slot on the adjustable fixed strut rods and the springs were now captured together below the drop outs.
1892 and on brought the elaborate "Racquet Frame" and TOC "Diamond Frame" all now using cushion & air tires.
Note: The first rear wheel chain driven hard tire safety sold in America was the imported Starley Psycho safety prior to 1887 (last photo).
Mike Cates, CA.
The Victor high wheel bicycle was also produced along side these safeties as well and I may address this in the future.
1887 – First version “Cross Frame” preceding the then competing 1888 Columbia“VELOCE” which also had a cross frame. Victor (Overman Wheel Company, Boston Mass) was the first American Made chain driven safety bicycle. In 1887 the name badge was on the single down tube facing upwards. Crank sprocket had cast spokes. Front fork springs and adjustable fixed strut rod all terminated at the front axle which captured them through forged eyelet ends. Hard rubber wired on tires. Front wheel brake spoon.Hinged spindle steering to front fork. One of these is a example I sold to the Bicycle Museum Of America, New Bremen, Ohio and was restored by Bob Jameson, Ohio (RIP) and excellent work and focus to detail. I learned A LOT from you over the decades.
1888-1889 The Model A had a newly designed frame with curved top tube.
Name badge was on this top tube. Cast spoke crank sprocket remained in these years. Hard rubber wired on tires. Rear brake spoon with linkages to the handle bar brake lever.
1890-1891 Other alphabetically listed models introduced for men and women (ex: Victoria model). Crank sprocket now had a pattern of small and large cross holes. Newly designed steering incorporating a steering head tube with ball bearing cups and races. Name badge was on the front of the head tube.
Now manufactured in Chicopee, Mass (previously Boston, Mass) .
Somewhere in the early 1890's a change was made within this year as the front axle was now carried in a separate forged drop out slot on the adjustable fixed strut rods and the springs were now captured together below the drop outs.
1892 and on brought the elaborate "Racquet Frame" and TOC "Diamond Frame" all now using cushion & air tires.
Note: The first rear wheel chain driven hard tire safety sold in America was the imported Starley Psycho safety prior to 1887 (last photo).
Mike Cates, CA.
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