1931 Empire Superb
10-17-07, 11:05 PM
#1
Sister Annie
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1931 Empire Superb
Oh delight! After much patient waiting the 1931 Empire Superb road racing bicycle I purchased a while ago has been delivered 
(Thumbnail - please click)
(Auction Photo)
Oooooo it hasn't been looked after the poor old thing and it will need much patient rust removal and Oxalic acid baths, but I don't mind in the slightest. This is my very first pre-war competition bicycle and it's absolutely wonderful. Light? - oh yes it is, - Lovely lovely chrome molybdenum steel
The biggest thrill is that this is a New Zealand made competition bicycle and while I had to pay $NZ100.00 and slightly annoy a bicycle enthusiast friend whom I heartlessly outbid, it's worth every penny
That's a Wright's 'Olympic' saddle btw, not a Lycett 'Aero', but otherwise the spec seems to match the factory pamphlet pretty much exactly.
(Thumbnail - please click)
(Auction Photo)
Oooooo it hasn't been looked after the poor old thing and it will need much patient rust removal and Oxalic acid baths, but I don't mind in the slightest. This is my very first pre-war competition bicycle and it's absolutely wonderful. Light? - oh yes it is, - Lovely lovely chrome molybdenum steel
The biggest thrill is that this is a New Zealand made competition bicycle and while I had to pay $NZ100.00 and slightly annoy a bicycle enthusiast friend whom I heartlessly outbid, it's worth every penny
That's a Wright's 'Olympic' saddle btw, not a Lycett 'Aero', but otherwise the spec seems to match the factory pamphlet pretty much exactly.
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OMNIPOTENS aeterne Deus, qui nos secundum imaginem Tuam plasmasti, et omnia bona, vera, pulchra, praesertim in divina persona Unigeniti Filii Tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quaerere iussisti, praesta quaesumus ut, per intercessionem Sancti Isidori, Episcopi et Doctoris, in peregrinationibus per interrete factis et manus oculosque ad quae Tibi sunt placita intendamus et omnes quos convenimus cum caritate ac patientia accipiamus. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
OMNIPOTENS aeterne Deus, qui nos secundum imaginem Tuam plasmasti, et omnia bona, vera, pulchra, praesertim in divina persona Unigeniti Filii Tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quaerere iussisti, praesta quaesumus ut, per intercessionem Sancti Isidori, Episcopi et Doctoris, in peregrinationibus per interrete factis et manus oculosque ad quae Tibi sunt placita intendamus et omnes quos convenimus cum caritate ac patientia accipiamus. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
10-18-07, 03:38 AM
#2
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Wonderful find! Are the wheels and rear caliper original? Do you plan to repaint?
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
10-18-07, 04:58 AM
#3
Sister Annie
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The rear caliper is an interesting centrepull design and the non-plated parts do have traces of Empire blue paint on them so I'm picking it came with the bike. The only marking I can see on the brake caliper is the word 'Warranted'.
I will repaint this bike because the red paintjob on the frame and forks is pretty disgusting - and besides Empire bikes were nearly always painted a dark blue. The factory pamphlet certainly says the 'Superb' model should be blue - so that's what it shall be.
(detail pictures are not from my own bikes)
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OMNIPOTENS aeterne Deus, qui nos secundum imaginem Tuam plasmasti, et omnia bona, vera, pulchra, praesertim in divina persona Unigeniti Filii Tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quaerere iussisti, praesta quaesumus ut, per intercessionem Sancti Isidori, Episcopi et Doctoris, in peregrinationibus per interrete factis et manus oculosque ad quae Tibi sunt placita intendamus et omnes quos convenimus cum caritate ac patientia accipiamus. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
OMNIPOTENS aeterne Deus, qui nos secundum imaginem Tuam plasmasti, et omnia bona, vera, pulchra, praesertim in divina persona Unigeniti Filii Tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quaerere iussisti, praesta quaesumus ut, per intercessionem Sancti Isidori, Episcopi et Doctoris, in peregrinationibus per interrete factis et manus oculosque ad quae Tibi sunt placita intendamus et omnes quos convenimus cum caritate ac patientia accipiamus. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
10-18-07, 07:15 AM
#4
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Sianelle,
wonderful looking bike, looks like a great project.
Can you give us (me!) a bit of history on Empire?
I'm really curious about the lesser known marques. We all
know about Colnago, Pogliaghi, Raleigh, Hetchins etc. but its the
small marques that truely pique my interest.
(and a lesson in New Zealand bikes would be nice too)
thanks
marty
wonderful looking bike, looks like a great project.
Can you give us (me!) a bit of history on Empire?
I'm really curious about the lesser known marques. We all
know about Colnago, Pogliaghi, Raleigh, Hetchins etc. but its the
small marques that truely pique my interest.
(and a lesson in New Zealand bikes would be nice too)
thanks
marty
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Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
10-18-07, 07:55 AM
#5
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Very nice, very nice.
Any close-ups of the fork ends with the Cam Adjustment? I'd like to know what that is.
Any close-ups of the fork ends with the Cam Adjustment? I'd like to know what that is.
10-18-07, 08:37 AM
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what a sweet ride. congrats.
10-18-07, 09:03 AM
#8
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Congrats Ann .. uh .. Sianelle! What a fantastic cycle. I can't wait to see it transformed.
Bob
Bob
10-18-07, 09:09 AM
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That bike is sweet and the adjustable bar stem is sickly insane! note: the bars in the pamphlet photo are underneath the stem 
note: the bars in the pamphlet photo are underneath the stem
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You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
10-18-07, 10:21 AM
#10
Decrepit Member
Beautiful!
It amazes me to see how little has changed in the basic geometry of the safety bicycle over the past 75 years or so. Aside from the steeper head tube angle and lack of trail, it looks as though it could have been designed today. I can't wait to see it restored in "brilliant blue"...
Good on 'ya.
It amazes me to see how little has changed in the basic geometry of the safety bicycle over the past 75 years or so. Aside from the steeper head tube angle and lack of trail, it looks as though it could have been designed today. I can't wait to see it restored in "brilliant blue"...
Good on 'ya.
10-18-07, 11:59 AM
#11
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Ohh, I should have brought it!
I forgot about that bike. I should have brought it.
But I have two vintage racing bikes to restore already - a possible Jones Special and a c1910 bike.
It will look good when you restore it. Does it still have the snail cams on the rear hub? My possible Jones also has the Major Taylor stem, but it has been repainted silver. It must have been popular on prewar NZ made bikes.
Edit: It will look good when it is restored.
But I have two vintage racing bikes to restore already - a possible Jones Special and a c1910 bike.
It will look good when you restore it. Does it still have the snail cams on the rear hub? My possible Jones also has the Major Taylor stem, but it has been repainted silver. It must have been popular on prewar NZ made bikes.
Edit: It will look good when it is restored.
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Last edited by gnome; 10-18-07 at 12:00 PM. Reason: Forgot the rest of my post, doh.
10-18-07, 04:12 PM
#12
Sister Annie
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Thanks everyone Hello Bob.
I'm not any sort of real expert on the NZ bicycle industry, - in fact to tell the truth I know very little about it and it's only since I purchased an elderly (possibly) 'Farmers Trading Co' ladies roadster earlier this year that I've been trying to find out more about it. For years nobody has taken a great deal of interest in bicycle history here. The major transport museum in Auckland was donated a number of early bicycles some years ago and promptly swapped them all for a vintage car! While trying to find out further information about early bicycles I did make enquires with the local branch of the Vintage and Veteran car club and I received a decidedly underwhelming reaction to my enquiries. The sole authoritative text on NZ bicycling is 'RIDE: the story of cycling in New Zealand', published by the Kennett Brothers in 2004.
https://www.bikenz.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=22173
I don't own a copy unfortunately, but the local library has been very helpful with tracking it down for me.
As far as I know there are no early bicycle clubs or associations here in NZ, - but hopefully Gnome can correct me on this.
The Major Taylor stem does look to have been very popular in prewar cycling competition. I certainly know I've seen more than a few old photos with bicycles wearing them. They do give a considerable range of adjustment and I'd be more than happy to use one on my later period 70s and 80s roadie bicycles.
My Empire is lacking its snail cams and has aquired ordinary drawbolt type adjusters
BUT amongst my collection of prewar frame lugs I have these........
Unfortunately I only have the one original snailcam, but I'm reasonably certain that I can make more of them on my Myford lathe. I think it's a really good idea and I wouldn't mind converting one of my more modern spare roadie frames just to give it a good practical test. Oops - I should point out that the pair of pointy stay ends are not anything to do with the snail cam adjusters, - they just happend to be in the scanned picture.
Hello Bob.I'm not any sort of real expert on the NZ bicycle industry, - in fact to tell the truth I know very little about it and it's only since I purchased an elderly (possibly) 'Farmers Trading Co' ladies roadster earlier this year that I've been trying to find out more about it. For years nobody has taken a great deal of interest in bicycle history here. The major transport museum in Auckland was donated a number of early bicycles some years ago and promptly swapped them all for a vintage car! While trying to find out further information about early bicycles I did make enquires with the local branch of the Vintage and Veteran car club and I received a decidedly underwhelming reaction to my enquiries. The sole authoritative text on NZ bicycling is 'RIDE: the story of cycling in New Zealand', published by the Kennett Brothers in 2004.
https://www.bikenz.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=22173
I don't own a copy unfortunately, but the local library has been very helpful with tracking it down for me.
As far as I know there are no early bicycle clubs or associations here in NZ, - but hopefully Gnome can correct me on this.
The Major Taylor stem does look to have been very popular in prewar cycling competition. I certainly know I've seen more than a few old photos with bicycles wearing them. They do give a considerable range of adjustment and I'd be more than happy to use one on my later period 70s and 80s roadie bicycles.
My Empire is lacking its snail cams and has aquired ordinary drawbolt type adjusters
BUT amongst my collection of prewar frame lugs I have these........Unfortunately I only have the one original snailcam, but I'm reasonably certain that I can make more of them on my Myford lathe. I think it's a really good idea and I wouldn't mind converting one of my more modern spare roadie frames just to give it a good practical test. Oops - I should point out that the pair of pointy stay ends are not anything to do with the snail cam adjusters, - they just happend to be in the scanned picture.
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OMNIPOTENS aeterne Deus, qui nos secundum imaginem Tuam plasmasti, et omnia bona, vera, pulchra, praesertim in divina persona Unigeniti Filii Tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quaerere iussisti, praesta quaesumus ut, per intercessionem Sancti Isidori, Episcopi et Doctoris, in peregrinationibus per interrete factis et manus oculosque ad quae Tibi sunt placita intendamus et omnes quos convenimus cum caritate ac patientia accipiamus. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
OMNIPOTENS aeterne Deus, qui nos secundum imaginem Tuam plasmasti, et omnia bona, vera, pulchra, praesertim in divina persona Unigeniti Filii Tui Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quaerere iussisti, praesta quaesumus ut, per intercessionem Sancti Isidori, Episcopi et Doctoris, in peregrinationibus per interrete factis et manus oculosque ad quae Tibi sunt placita intendamus et omnes quos convenimus cum caritate ac patientia accipiamus. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Last edited by Sianelle; 10-18-07 at 04:16 PM. Reason: forgot something
10-18-07, 11:20 PM
#13
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My Empire is lacking its snail cams and has aquired ordinary drawbolt type adjusters BUT amongst my collection of prewar frame lugs I have these........
Unfortunately I only have the one original snailcam, but I'm reasonably certain that I can make more of them on my Myford lathe. I think it's a really good idea and I wouldn't mind converting one of my more modern spare roadie frames just to give it a good practical test. Oops - I should point out that the pair of pointy stay ends are not anything to do with the snail cam adjusters, - they just happend to be in the scanned picture.
BUT amongst my collection of prewar frame lugs I have these........Unfortunately I only have the one original snailcam, but I'm reasonably certain that I can make more of them on my Myford lathe. I think it's a really good idea and I wouldn't mind converting one of my more modern spare roadie frames just to give it a good practical test. Oops - I should point out that the pair of pointy stay ends are not anything to do with the snail cam adjusters, - they just happend to be in the scanned picture.
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01-22-24, 04:49 AM
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Empire Superb in the UK
Hello.
I am new to this forum today and I joined so I could send you a reply about your frame. I am in the UK and I have bought a frame thinking that i's a Superb. The frame number is 48113 on the bottom bracket. Unfortunately it seems that I cannot upload any images until I have made at lease 10 posts. The headset lug is the same as the one on an Empire SUperb.
Kind regards
Tony
I am new to this forum today and I joined so I could send you a reply about your frame. I am in the UK and I have bought a frame thinking that i's a Superb. The frame number is 48113 on the bottom bracket. Unfortunately it seems that I cannot upload any images until I have made at lease 10 posts. The headset lug is the same as the one on an Empire SUperb.
Kind regards
Tony
01-22-24, 08:11 AM
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Hello.
I am new to this forum today and I joined so I could send you a reply about your frame. I am in the UK and I have bought a frame thinking that i's a Superb. The frame number is 48113 on the bottom bracket. Unfortunately it seems that I cannot upload any images until I have made at lease 10 posts. The headset lug is the same as the one on an Empire SUperb.
Kind regards
Tony
I am new to this forum today and I joined so I could send you a reply about your frame. I am in the UK and I have bought a frame thinking that i's a Superb. The frame number is 48113 on the bottom bracket. Unfortunately it seems that I cannot upload any images until I have made at lease 10 posts. The headset lug is the same as the one on an Empire SUperb.
Kind regards
Tony
You may not get a response but welcome aboard.
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