cbustapeck
Wore out three sets of tires already!
My goal has been to rebuild this bicycle without using reproductions for any of the major parts.
I recently acquired the last major part - a "NOS" Delta tail light. I say "NOS" in quotes because, while it has never been sold retail, it does have a good bit of shelf wear.
While the seller was in Utah, the parts were originally from a bike shop in Cleveland, Art's Bicycle, at 15108 Euclid Avenue, just a couple miles from me. The wholesaler, Gordon Cycle & Supply? Just a mile from my job. This was definitely exciting, and the seller was kind enough to include some ephemera.
The meter strip with the Whizzer is great. It will fit well in my stamp collection.
I'm including a slightly excessive number of photos on the off chance that someone wants to compare the original and reproduction side by side.
In all the photos below, the reproduction is on top and the original is on the bottom.
The most fundamental differences between the two are the quality of construction - the reproduction is far more solid while the original is quite flimsy and the finish - the reproduction has a matte finish while the original has a gloss plating (nickle?).
Perhaps a third of the side of the light can be seen when installed.
The lenses are very close to identical, with the only difference visible when installed being that the lens on the reproduction is a little lighter in color.
The switch on the original feels much more comfortable against my thumb.
The text on the original (for search purposes) reads:
DELTA
ELECT. CO
MARION
INDIANA
MADE IN
U.S.A.
The reproduction seen here has the provision to function as a brake light. This feature was described in the literature for the original bicycle, but does not appear present on this example. To my understanding, it does appear on some.
To conclude:
The original light is flimsy, with the biggest merit for it being the plating. I can see some serious merit in seeing how well one might be able to polish a reproduction taillight. I'm curious as to if any survive that are not dinged up.