mike cates
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
During my years of collecting and restoring antique bicycles I have shared and gained knowledge with collectors and met very capable craftsmen along this journey.
As of late, I'm currently running a WANTED AD for an original name badge for a circa 1885 FACILE lever driven high wheel safety bicycle.
The odds of finding an original badge are slim to none so the best answer is to get a faithful reproduction badge made until an original is amazingly found some day and if not, I'm happy my bicycle at least has a badge that is representative of an original.
There aren't many of these1880's FACILE bicycles like mine in existence let alone loose parts for them. Pre 1890 venerable machines usually have to have faithful reproduction parts made from loaned parts or detailed drawings from other collectors.
In my case, by merely placing a WANTED AD on the CABE, brought this craftsman to me in his answering my wanted ad who was happy to help me in my quest.
volksboy57 took on this project with eagerness, focus and ability to follow through.
I supplied him photos from original badges on original FACILE bicycles and he took the reigns from there.
It helps to provide him accurate hole sizing and spacing for screw or rivet mounted badges.
The following photo expose will show the much anticipated opening of the package I received today containing the badge.
This is a truly embossed badge (raised lettering with border) as the original had. He can also acid etch for a recessed background if paint is going to be floated into to a badge that you may need.
All I have to do is form this approximately 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" .008" thick badge over my back bone frame and originals were soldered on and later badges had three screws to mount them.
He does badges in aluminum, brass, stainless steel (like mine) and other thicknesses of sheet metal and I'm sure other alloys but you will have to ask.
Contact volksboy57 with that badge that seems to be unobtainium.
ENJOY!!!
Mike Cates, CA.
As of late, I'm currently running a WANTED AD for an original name badge for a circa 1885 FACILE lever driven high wheel safety bicycle.
The odds of finding an original badge are slim to none so the best answer is to get a faithful reproduction badge made until an original is amazingly found some day and if not, I'm happy my bicycle at least has a badge that is representative of an original.
There aren't many of these1880's FACILE bicycles like mine in existence let alone loose parts for them. Pre 1890 venerable machines usually have to have faithful reproduction parts made from loaned parts or detailed drawings from other collectors.
In my case, by merely placing a WANTED AD on the CABE, brought this craftsman to me in his answering my wanted ad who was happy to help me in my quest.
volksboy57 took on this project with eagerness, focus and ability to follow through.
I supplied him photos from original badges on original FACILE bicycles and he took the reigns from there.
It helps to provide him accurate hole sizing and spacing for screw or rivet mounted badges.
The following photo expose will show the much anticipated opening of the package I received today containing the badge.
This is a truly embossed badge (raised lettering with border) as the original had. He can also acid etch for a recessed background if paint is going to be floated into to a badge that you may need.
All I have to do is form this approximately 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" .008" thick badge over my back bone frame and originals were soldered on and later badges had three screws to mount them.
He does badges in aluminum, brass, stainless steel (like mine) and other thicknesses of sheet metal and I'm sure other alloys but you will have to ask.
Contact volksboy57 with that badge that seems to be unobtainium.
ENJOY!!!
Mike Cates, CA.
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