viscount

We is allowed a little latitude on here, ain't we?
And it ain't on the wrong side here.
We Brits are different

bmaxwell

ya you brits are a bit different or is it the other way around.... and this thread is a tad bit of a digression.... hehehehe... but too much fun have a great day

thebikeguy

I don't think it's going to be possible to remove the tyres without destroying them.Maybe you can heat them up so they become pliable enough to remove but you may not have to if you have to true the rims.
Maybe yours was built by Raleigh for Currys.Raleigh sure made a lot of bikes with other names on them.It's older than mine.

viscount

Yes, you may be right about removing the tyres.
The spokes need a little tightening to true the rims and I'm assuming I may have to lubricate the nipple threads from the inside.
Haven't actually tried yet, but was thinking ahead.
I just applied the spoke wrench to a few of them and they are not moving!!
I do not want to break any of the spokes....
The front tyre is starting to split along the joint and it may need a little epoxy resin or something to fix that.
Never came across solid tyres before!!

But it is such a well made little machine I want to do my best to prolong its life.
Could well be that Raleigh made it for Currys.
I doubt Currys actually made any of 'their' bikes themselves.
I'm assuming it is quite old because of the head-clip fixing.
That's a pre-war item on most adult bikes in my experience.

viscount

We is all different!
The thread did digress a little, but I did bring it home in the Volvo after all
Quite a feat in itself getting it in the back door.
No way was I riding it home

bmaxwell

aaawwww you would have been so cute riding that little thing home....

viscount

You wouldn't say that if you saw me
But it's getting the 'treatment' currently and when it's finished any 6/7 year old (with good taste) will love it.
And I will post the results here.

Oldpeddaller

+1 on the Volvo's! (and the cute trike of course!) My sister once had a "TriAng" trike similar to that but I'm thinking Currys will now be rarer. My Dad always wanted a Volvo Amazon but had to make do with a Morris Minor 1000 then an Austin A40 at that time.

viscount

I bought the Volvo on a whim, I just happened on it, but had to take out a loan to get it.
(And I don't even drive)
Just before the credit crunch...
Have the feeling I might regret that
But love the car really. It's as good as most of my bikes condition-wise.

You may well be right about the Currys trike.
Certainly Currys adult bikes are not common, but the trike looked so forlorn in the shed where I first saw it, and the raised head-badge is so nice.
It's the solid tyres that may prove to be the problem.
The spokes need to move in the nipples to true the wheels properly and they do not want to move!
It has 15" OD wheels. I'm shortly going to check out pram and wheelchair versions for compatibilty.

Oldpeddaller

How badly bent are the wheels? Unless they are catching the mudguards or frame, the rears don't have any brakes to worry about so you could get away with a little latitude. They may not have been that true when new! The front stirrup brake would demand a straighter wheel though. I'm pretty sure that even if you can get those solid tyres off intact, they could then be too loose to refit. Had a similar situation with a Silver Cross pram some years ago, had to buy a new tyre. Easy enough to fit with a bit of fairy liquid used as a lube. Pram tyres might be a good idea if it's to be ridden indoors - hey, would pram wheels fit? There might be a few chromed spoke ones still around in people's lofts - or look carefully under the "guys" approaching Bonfire Night nect week!!!

Best regards.

viscount

I'm thinking the wheels are in need of a little truing, but as you say, the front is the most important, and does need attention. I've got no intention of removing any of the tyres until I'm certain they will go back on without problem! The front is weak at the tyre joint and will need some attention if it is to be ridden.

It is possible to see the tops of the nipples so I may be able to lubricate them without removing the tyres after all. It is a series of new challenges in a way, and no bad thing because of it.
The pram wheels idea had crossed my mind but finding any the right size might well be a problem.
It might well be best to leave it as it is and just donate it to a suitable museum, or keep it just to show.

I have cleaned up the paint/chrome and polished it, and it does looks really well despite some chips, so doesn't need a repaint in my opinion. The patina is fine and worth preserving I reckon
On the rear, higher, curved bar closest to the saddle is some paint wear where kids used to stand on it to get a 'piggyback' on their friends bike. I can remember doing that one many times a long time ago!!

Will get some more pics taken when I can get it out without freezing to death.

bmaxwell

+1 on trying to not repaint... IMHO leaving it with it's history entact sounds wonderful... this little trike has a story and why not let the imagination flow with it's little chips and what not.

viscount

The trike has now had a good clean and a service.
Not perfect because the wheels need truing and a little repair is needed on the brake rod, but it will do for now.
Results are great I think. Chrome is excellent.

Paint is too good to do anything but leave as is.
Have been told it is 1930s and the head clip fixing suggests this might be true.


The head-badge says " Currys. The Cycle Specialists. Branches Everywhere."

bmaxwell

that is very cool!

viscount

Only wish I was young enough to ride it now.....
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion.

Oldpeddaller

Well done John, it came out beautiful without disturbing the original paint!

Stuart

viscount

I've said it before somewhere but the paint loss on the rear cross bar beneath the seat is where your pal would stand, holding onto your shoulders as you gave him a lift, and did your things.
You couldn't paint over that, could you?

viscount

Well, we Brits do have good taste you know
Some of us anyway....
You got to admit the Amazon is cool, ain't it?
And the trike.

FlatTop

Impeccable, that eye of yours works on more than bicycles. The Amazon is an allstar.

While we're on the subject, I love that the Brits coined the word "grot".

bmaxwell

viscount, I can hear your accent clear over hear in the Pacific Northwest.... I just love to listen to you speak

viscount

Well, I didn't know that "grot" was a Brit invention (Philology not being my subject) but it's not in common usage here these days I think. I think it is simply a contraction of grotesque.
Last time I heard it used was many years ago waiting at Northampton Rail Station for a taxi along with a very attractive hippy girl I'd been chatting to on the train.
It was a miserable rainy day and she said, looking out of the window, "What a grotty day."
Seconds later her boyfriend turned up to take her home.
And I thought "What a total grot..."
Maybe I was just jealous though.

Good taste is far from universal.....

viscount

Now you mention it (accents) I don't have an idea what a Pacific Northwest accent sounds like.
Led a sheltered life I have!
Only exception being a GF I had from NYC. I know that accent very well......
(call +441452613051 if you want to exchange accents!!)

Didn't you say something earlier about this being a bicycle site/thread???
Ha ha! My threads do tend to meander a little, but I ain't apologising for that

viscount

Out of interest I put the trike on ebay, so if anybody wants to see how it goes you can see.
I'm pretty certain it won't be bought by anybody your side of the pond, so I guess it won't be a problem posting the details here.
I decided I can't deal with the solid tyres and wheel truing and will let another take it on.
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MESE:IT&ih=002
Quite an unusual item on ebay I think, so it might be interesting to follow.
I'm guessing it might get £40.
Don't ask me what the dollar equivalent is today in this financial climate....
Close to $80 a couple of weeks ago, but might well be $40 next Sunday

bmaxwell

Viscount if you watch the new broadcasts from the US that is what we sound like here in the northwest... pretty plain. Not at all like the New York accent...

viscount

I know what you mean.
Bit like the BBC radio announcers accents. Neutral, nothing strong, but sounds posh to some
Mine is proper BBC.
To me a broad, nasal, NYC accent is not something I want in my ear for very long, no matter how attractive she is......
Probably get me in trouble for saying so but... it's the truth.