Another Alex Singer found in North Bend!
10-18-19, 07:10 AM
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10-18-19, 07:23 AM
#27
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Flipping cool. It just looks like someone figured out how to solve a problem one at a time.
10-18-19, 07:37 AM
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10-18-19, 08:05 AM
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Matt, Thank you for sharing! That is an incredible bike. I have to admit I knew nothing about these bikes until I saw yours at our Eroica pre-ride a few years ago. I now know why these get so much attention. There are so many things I like about the way it is built but that cable straddle thingy is way cool. Joe joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress
10-18-19, 08:58 AM
#31
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The epitome of 'classic'.
Even historic.
Personally, I'm glad I'm not drawn to own such bikes. I'm not worthy, just a hack. But I can still be amazed by the builder's dedication to innovation - and the people who seek them out today.
Nice photo documentation.
edit: hopefully Bob is not feeling as bad as he looks in the 1st pic.
Even historic.
Personally, I'm glad I'm not drawn to own such bikes. I'm not worthy, just a hack. But I can still be amazed by the builder's dedication to innovation - and the people who seek them out today.
Nice photo documentation.
edit: hopefully Bob is not feeling as bad as he looks in the 1st pic.
I very much enjoyed seeing the pictures though - thanks for posting.
10-18-19, 09:10 AM
#32
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Interesting brake cable routing thru pulley. Maybe this is not uncommon and I am not cool enough to be in the know? Reminds me of statics class problem. 2x mechanical advantage.
10-18-19, 09:14 AM
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Yes, the French constructeurs used the pulley system a lot. Trades mechanical advantage for cable pull, which might not work that well if you use a modern brake lever
eta: I wouldn't do a full repaint/rechrome.
eta: I wouldn't do a full repaint/rechrome.
Last edited by unterhausen; 10-18-19 at 10:15 AM.
10-18-19, 12:22 PM
#34
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There was a Singer tandem displayed at Eroica Cambria last year that was pretty special. What's hard to convey is the level of craftsmanship and detail that these bikes have. And the amazing thing is that it's all done by a little shop with not much more than a vice, drill press and brazing torch. Blacksmithing type stuff.
I'll find some detail pics of that tandem. It's a similar vintage / timeframe.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
I'll find some detail pics of that tandem. It's a similar vintage / timeframe.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
Last edited by mpetry912; 10-18-19 at 07:08 PM.
10-18-19, 12:33 PM
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The epitome of 'classic'.
Even historic.
Personally, I'm glad I'm not drawn to own such bikes. I'm not worthy, just a hack. But I can still be amazed by the builder's dedication to innovation - and the people who seek them out today.
Nice photo documentation.
edit: hopefully Bob is not feeling as bad as he looks in the 1st pic.
Even historic.
Personally, I'm glad I'm not drawn to own such bikes. I'm not worthy, just a hack. But I can still be amazed by the builder's dedication to innovation - and the people who seek them out today.
Nice photo documentation.
edit: hopefully Bob is not feeling as bad as he looks in the 1st pic.
10-18-19, 12:46 PM
#36
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Thanks for sharing this, @northbend. Much appreciated here. Lovely bike.
10-18-19, 01:11 PM
#37
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I would like to experience it, maybe ride it- but as someone who doesn't have a warehouse or museum to admire it's awesomeness- I would be the wrong person to have this. I'd want to tweak this or that and swap that out for this, and then since I did that, let's go 10 speed...
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
10-18-19, 01:18 PM
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That has to be the most austere set of derailleurs, especially the FD, I have ever seen and at the same time perhaps the coolest! thanks for sharing @northbend
I know there are mixed feelings about him doing this but it is a keeper of the flame sort of thing and would die in place otherwise.
I think it's fascinating despite all the hand wringing.
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10-18-19, 03:10 PM
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There was a Singer tandem displayed at Eroica Cambria last year that was pretty special. What's hard to convey is the level of craftsmanship and detail that these bikes have. And the amazing thing is that it's all done by a little shop with not much more than a vice, drill press and brazing torch. Blacksmithing type stuff.
I'll find some pics of that tandem. It's a similar vintage / timeframe.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
I'll find some pics of that tandem. It's a similar vintage / timeframe.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
10-18-19, 03:14 PM
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That is sweet.
@northbend Two questions on the crank. That looks like a Stronglight 49 but it also looks like the arms are a bit more slender. Or is that just photo angle? And what is that ring setup? That is something on the line of what I am seeking for a project.
@northbend Two questions on the crank. That looks like a Stronglight 49 but it also looks like the arms are a bit more slender. Or is that just photo angle? And what is that ring setup? That is something on the line of what I am seeking for a project.
First gen all alloy Stronglight cranks. Velobase is down right now, but this is clearly pointing out that compact doubles weren't invented recently.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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10-18-19, 04:12 PM
#41
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10-18-19, 04:18 PM
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10-18-19, 04:44 PM
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I would not ever restore this bike. Just very lightly conserve it. clean off the crud, lube, adjust etc. Don't paint. Minimal polish. Toothbrush and q tips.
It's grail. consider the history. I have been fortunate to do some consulting work for the national air and space museum shops in Silver Hill, Md. That team has a respect for the story that the artifact tells, you do not want to disturb that in any way ! Just clean it up, fix obvious defects, make it beautiful, but resist the urge to restore, and instead preserve the originality at all costs.
and yes, needs to be at Peter's FFD next year. He'll make room.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA
It's grail. consider the history. I have been fortunate to do some consulting work for the national air and space museum shops in Silver Hill, Md. That team has a respect for the story that the artifact tells, you do not want to disturb that in any way ! Just clean it up, fix obvious defects, make it beautiful, but resist the urge to restore, and instead preserve the originality at all costs.
and yes, needs to be at Peter's FFD next year. He'll make room.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA
https://www.thehenryford.org/docs/de...n.pdf?sfvrsn=2
Steve
Detroit, Mi
10-18-19, 04:54 PM
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It's not an issue here, but some tandems put the rear wheel too close to the stoker's seat tube to fit a front derailleur, so it helped out there as well.
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10-19-19, 04:06 AM
#45
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Very similar features to Jan Heine's 1962 Singer, including the Nivex/Singer derailleurs, chainrest, cable hanger, Singer brakes, etc...
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/...ng-strong/amp/
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/...ng-strong/amp/
Very cool bike and thanks for sharing, Matt!
10-19-19, 09:19 AM
#46
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Thanks for posting that article TenGrain. I'd not read it before however I have seen that bike and it is pretty neat. And thanks Gugie for posting pics of that tandem. It was incredible. I had my Leica on a strap around my neck and like an idiot I did not take pics of the details !
When I see these bikes what I think about is a guy hunched over a workbench making components from sheet and bar stock, using a file and a torch. Those chainrings for example were cut with a bandsaw ! yes, they had to cut the blade and re-weld it for every hole. they didn't have Bridgeport mills and rotary tables.
A pic of Mr Csuka working at the "bench" in the Singer workshop is shown below for your consideration. This gentleman produced about 2000 bikes in his career, he had a couple of helpers but by and large his own work, examples of which are prized by cyclists and enthusiasts all over the world. The only "advanced tooling" I saw was the bending jig for rack tubing, which is hung on ropes and pulleys above the bench. In good years they were building 2 or 3 bikes / week and Japanese collectors kept the shop going in the mid 80s-90s, largely because the exchange rates made the bikes prohibitively expensive in US dollars.
This is the story, people. And that's why the North Bend bike, and the tandem above, surviving in such good condition across time, are so special.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
When I see these bikes what I think about is a guy hunched over a workbench making components from sheet and bar stock, using a file and a torch. Those chainrings for example were cut with a bandsaw ! yes, they had to cut the blade and re-weld it for every hole. they didn't have Bridgeport mills and rotary tables.
A pic of Mr Csuka working at the "bench" in the Singer workshop is shown below for your consideration. This gentleman produced about 2000 bikes in his career, he had a couple of helpers but by and large his own work, examples of which are prized by cyclists and enthusiasts all over the world. The only "advanced tooling" I saw was the bending jig for rack tubing, which is hung on ropes and pulleys above the bench. In good years they were building 2 or 3 bikes / week and Japanese collectors kept the shop going in the mid 80s-90s, largely because the exchange rates made the bikes prohibitively expensive in US dollars.
This is the story, people. And that's why the North Bend bike, and the tandem above, surviving in such good condition across time, are so special.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
Last edited by mpetry912; 10-19-19 at 09:42 AM.
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10-20-19, 08:06 AM
#47
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Very cool stuff there! 👍 Like most of us here, I probably wouldn't even ride it, it deserves special treatment, way beyond my capabilities. 😉
10-20-19, 11:11 AM
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If it were my size, I'd definitely ride it. On a short ride. On a sunny day. With a lot of my buddies to ooh and aah at it. Then I'd put it up in a special place, ready for next year's ride.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
10-20-19, 11:15 AM
#49
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If it were my size, I'd definitely ride it. On a short ride. On a sunny day. With a lot of my buddies to ooh and aah at it. Then I'd put it up in a special place, ready for next year's ride.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA
