Fixing a Victorian

[Nabeaquam]

For a track bike, the strain on the bars is immense, so the thread gives a massive increase in gripping force from a simple and light clamp. That's how I view it.

I’m a little confused as to what this bike was originally designed for. It was sports oriented and generally this type of bicycle was called and advertised as a a path racer, whatever that is. I’m guessing grass racing or street racing, not velodrome. There was an early street menace here in the USA with a lot of bad bicycle press as “hooligans” were racing these on streets and sidewalks endangering pedestrians. There were no brakes. Apparently it was a big problem and a lot of people hated cyclists for this reason. There are some old articles online. They were called “Scorchers”. They were the fastest thing in an urban environment, faster than street horses. I’m guessing this bicycle falls somewhere in the scorcher category. I’m not familiar with early track racing but I think early track bicycles were more specifically built with a shorter frame. Not sure.

 

[mdvineng]

I’m a little confused as to what this bike was originally designed for. It was sports oriented and generally this type of bicycle was called and advertised as a a path racer, whatever that is. I’m guessing grass racing or street racing, not velodrome. There was an early street menace here in the USA with a lot of bad bicycle press as “hooligans” were racing these on streets and sidewalks endangering pedestrians. There were no brakes. Apparently it was a big problem and a lot of people hated cyclists for this reason. There are some old articles online. They were called “Scorchers”. They were the fastest thing in an urban environmen, faster than street horses. I’m guessing this bicycle falls somewhere in the scorcher category. I’m not familiar with early track racing but I think early track bicycles were more specifically built with a shorter frame. Not sure.

Any bike used for hard acceleration needs the best clamping arrangement possible due to the torque and twisting loads applied to the handlebars.

 

[Nabeaquam]

Any bike used for hard acceleration needs the best clamping arrangement possible due to the torque and twisting loads applied to the handlebars.

I have a 1931 Claud Butler track bike, with wood wheels and the same “C” clamp style gooseneck to fork attachment as this Victorian. I used the Claud bike last summer for a 12 hour time trial and had to stop to adjust the bars as they got crooked. The time trial was on a road race course with several no banking right angle at the bottom of a hill turns. Passing or getting passed here was frightening, especially after dark with bike lights. These were high speed corners. The corners had a special dark coating with cherry tomato sized chunks imbedded in it. Traction for car tires but chattery for a bicycle. This is where and when the bars would twist. Perhaps more than this stem was intended for. Wedges seem better. Anyway, lots of force on the steering, too much for the old system. I think this part on the Victorian would be a steering problem before the threaded clamp gives out.

 

[Woz]

There's a definition of Path Racer on the gospel truth Wikipedia for what it's worth:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_Racer
Probably a bit murky around 189x, and probably a dose of Victorian marketing bullshit thrown in to the mix too.

Think we can all agree, it's a Racing Bike for a Racer Boy

 

[Nabeaquam]

There's a definition of Path Racer on the gospel truth Wikipedia for what it's worth:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_Racer
Probably a bit murky around 189x, and probably a dose of Victorian marketing bullshit thrown in to the mix too.

Think we can all agree, it's a Racing Bike for a Racer Boy

I didn’t know this. Thanks much. That’s exactly the bike I have. I saw them advertised in old online newspaper copies as path racers. Your never too old to learn something exciting every day. It’s 5:05PM so I’m having a Jameson and beer. No since messing around, get the job done is a good motto. In fact I’m going to have a few more. No more bike work today, just dreaming about solving the new problems I find ever day, like the frame crack I found this afternoon. It’s in the dent I’m trying to eliminate as best I can. It won’t be perfect. I’ll tack the crack shut. Wait a minute, good enough is perfect, I’m no craftsman, a farm boy hack whatever it takes. If it works it’s perfect. New motto “good enough, perfect”.

 

[legrandefromage]

Its clearly a very early pre-triple triangle GT

 

[Woz]

There's an interesting write up about a track discipline which is 100% born in the USA. Gives some idea of track racing back then.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(cycling)



http://www.indoorcycling.ca/americas-short-violent-love-affair-with-indoor-track-cycling/

 

[Peachy!]

@Nabeaquam cheers for this, just made for an enjoyable read during my lunch break.

Couple of questions;

1. Did you need to "unscrew" the bars from the stem clamp? I'm assuming the internal of the clamp had original been smooth but maybe now has pressed threaded marks?
2. What's your thinking around re-finishing as the forks are now stripped they will of course need something. Are you going to replicate original finishes or will you do more of the replica patania stuff like you did on the hubs and spokes?

PS. If you've not worked it out already, the bizarre jokes/comments from The Big Cheese should be taken as an affirmation that you are doing a good job! (well, at least an interesting one )

 

[enc]

Amazing project.

 

[Mickeyspinn]

There's an interesting write up about a track discipline which is 100% born in the USA. Gives some idea of track racing back then.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_(cycling)



http://www.indoorcycling.ca/americas-short-violent-love-affair-with-indoor-track-cycling/

Brutal!