Wood rim color illustrations from 1918!

[cbustapeck]

I was searching the Internet Archive for information about my project bike, when I came across this illustration in a 1918 trade catalog from Canada Cycle & Motor Co. It was so interesting that I just had to share.

 

[OC_Rolling_Art]

I was searching the Internet Archive for information about my project bike, when I came across this illustration in a 1918 trade catalog from Canada Cycle & Motor Co. It was so interesting that I just had to share.

View attachment 1232737

Very cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Freqman1]

I’m not sure if it’s the same pic but similar pics are in many of the early bicycle supply catalogs

 

[bleedingfingers]

Cool old CCM stuff wonder if anyone has those old hoops?

 

[locomotion]

I own a NOS crate of wood rims, and many of those styles are in there

 

[Cbgimse]

I own a NOS crate of wood rims, and many of those styles are in there

Im very jealous

 

[Brian R.]

Check out my thread in restoration tips:

How to Paint Stripes on Wood Rims with Zero Skills | Bicycle Restoration Tips

Most restored or new wood rims are finished as plain wood with varnish. They look great but I feel that something has been lost in the process. Back in the day, bikes could be ordered with all kinds of fancy stripes painted under the varnish. Here are two pages from the 1918 CCM catalogue...

thecabe.com

 

[Rivnut]

Those painted wooden rims are examples of what I sometimes refer to as the lost art of real craftsmen. Some guy was probably paid a minimal wage to do this. I watched the linked video and have to add that there are many advances in tapes when it comes to striping. An automotive paint jobber will have 1/8" plastic tape that can be manipulated into any shape you want and unlike masking tape, it leaves a very fine edge. Lay it down, then lay down some narrow painter's tape next to it. The painter's tape you can get today leaves a much finer edge than the masking tape of yesteryear.

One thing I learned from a striper some time ago is to use your fingernail to press the tape down. There is no friction between a fingernail and the tape like there is between skin and tape. You can really smoothe out wrinkles and bubbles. Put the fingernail of your index finger on the tape then put pressure on the pad of your index finger with your thumb. Slide it along the tape working out any wrinkles, etc. Try it. Works well.

Sorry for the hijack. Now back to your regular scheduled program.

 

[Goldenindian]

1917

 

[oldmtrcyc]

These two non-matching wheels came on a bike that the wheel set since changed.