Unusual elliptical chain ring

[dnc1]

A friend recently found this, any ideas anyone?
This first photo shows it in 'as found' condition.....

It's marked 'ELAN', in a typeface that screams French to me.....

The adaptor plate allows it to fit on these 'Williams' cranks.....

Thanks in advance for any help/info.
Darren.

 

[Jesse McCauley]

The two different ages of metal scream composite object to me. That is my 1c, not enough insight for 2.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dnc1]

Thanks @Jesse McCauley.
It's definitely much earlier than the Williams chainset, that adaptor was obviously made up later to allow it to fit on a British machine at some time.
Perhaps because the original French chainset would have had a different axle diameter and wouldn't fit on a British bicycle.
My friend found the William's cranks that match the adapter plate yesterday.

 

[juvela]

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This ELAN elliptical calls home a Terrot Super Course of 1936.

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[dnc1]

Thanks @juvela, I thought 20s/30s French origin but couldn't find an image.
My friend will have to look for some Terrot cranks now.
Stirling work sir!

 

[dnc1]

From the last two photos, it suggests to me that you can position the apex of the ellipse in several positions in relation to the driving crank arm?
Curious!

 

[juvela]

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Here is one on a Cycles Delly machine of slightly later.

Delly badge property of Schmidely.

Delly & Terrot were both located in Dijon.

Perhaps maker of "ELAN" c/w's domiciled in same area...

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[juvela]

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c/w's appear to be made to mount to a standard 116mm BCD three-arm chainset

wondered as to meaning of marking "FR8ET"

evidently the ELAN folk did no ha' an ampersand in their stamping die set so they employed a small numeral eight in its place...

finally dawned on me dull "braine" that the whole marking should read "Brevete FR & ET" ... translation: "patents France and Foreign"

(not the sharpest tack in this or any other box)


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[juvela]

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Closeup views of cleaned set remounted to Terrot -

View of cleaned drive complete -

[the little j-shaped thingy above the chainset is an oiler(!)]

Chainwheel mounting and usage instructions from "ELAN" :

 

[troy boy]

Juvela ,dull braine? you are like a walking encyclopedia your lightweight knowledge is incredible many thanks for your contributions. Brian