1950 Norman Rapide, an unbelievable find
#127
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Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
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CTC Badge by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr
#129
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You guys are very kind!
What Photogravity did not explain is that when Norman was in full industrial swing in the early 50's they had saddles made for them with their name. These photos are from an a chromed Invader with a bent fork that comes up on Ebay every now and again with an unrealistic starting price.
I recreated the relief of the Norman soldier as well as I could by starting with a pencil drawing that I converted to a bitmap and embedded in a vector graphic and had the stamps 3d printed. I'm not thrilled with the result.
These are some of the previews I got from Shapeways, the 3d printing service, as I was working on it:
What Photogravity did not explain is that when Norman was in full industrial swing in the early 50's they had saddles made for them with their name. These photos are from an a chromed Invader with a bent fork that comes up on Ebay every now and again with an unrealistic starting price.
I recreated the relief of the Norman soldier as well as I could by starting with a pencil drawing that I converted to a bitmap and embedded in a vector graphic and had the stamps 3d printed. I'm not thrilled with the result.
These are some of the previews I got from Shapeways, the 3d printing service, as I was working on it:
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www.rhmsaddles.com.
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#131
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That is truly amazing! He managed to lay out that brand perfectly. Super cool, for sure. I think that we can definitely use the term unique to describe it.
BTW, any suggestions for what I do with this? Since I have two Rapides and one Invader, I'd guess it could go on any of them.
Norman Chainring by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr
BTW, any suggestions for what I do with this? Since I have two Rapides and one Invader, I'd guess it could go on any of them.
Norman Chainring by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr
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- Auchen
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#132
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Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
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The guy who owned the bicycle this came off was named Norman. Norman did not own a Norman bicycle but, instead, a Holdsworth. I suppose he thought the Norman chainring would make his ride more identifiable among the sea of Holdsworth bicycles over there. The date stamp on the chainring is AP (1952), so assuming it was put on when the bicycle was new, that gives you an idea of the age of the bicycle and possibly the age of the gentleman who owned the bicycle. The fellow selling off the bits from the bicycle may be able to give me more information on the fellow who owned the bicycle as it appears he knew (or knows?) the guy personally. I also obtained the CTC badge, Phillips pedals and GB Hiduminium brake calipers from the seller, all from the Holdsworth. So Norman Phillips had a bicycle with a Norman chainring and Phillips pedals. Sounds like an interesting fellow.
#133
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C&V at its finest. This thread just keeps getting better.
I must mention again the recognition to Rudi's talent and generosity. That Norman saddle is amazing.
I must mention again the recognition to Rudi's talent and generosity. That Norman saddle is amazing.
#134
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Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
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You guys are very kind!
What Photogravity did not explain is that when Norman was in full industrial swing in the early 50's they had saddles made for them with their name. These photos are from an a chromed Invader with a bent fork that comes up on Ebay every now and again with an unrealistic starting price.
I recreated the relief of the Norman soldier as well as I could by starting with a pencil drawing that I converted to a bitmap and embedded in a vector graphic and had the stamps 3d printed. I'm not thrilled with the result.
These are some of the previews I got from Shapeways, the 3d printing service, as I was working on it:
What Photogravity did not explain is that when Norman was in full industrial swing in the early 50's they had saddles made for them with their name. These photos are from an a chromed Invader with a bent fork that comes up on Ebay every now and again with an unrealistic starting price.
I recreated the relief of the Norman soldier as well as I could by starting with a pencil drawing that I converted to a bitmap and embedded in a vector graphic and had the stamps 3d printed. I'm not thrilled with the result.
These are some of the previews I got from Shapeways, the 3d printing service, as I was working on it:
#135
Senior Member
Although we may presume that may take a few years.
That new bike hauler, btw, is fabulous. How many tandems can you carry at one time? Or is it one tandem and a bed? ;-)
Still negotiating re: the Cirque. I may only make Sunday. sigh. I'll look forward to seeing you there.
That new bike hauler, btw, is fabulous. How many tandems can you carry at one time? Or is it one tandem and a bed? ;-)
Still negotiating re: the Cirque. I may only make Sunday. sigh. I'll look forward to seeing you there.
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
#136
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Although we may presume that may take a few years.
That new bike hauler, btw, is fabulous. How many tandems can you carry at one time? Or is it one tandem and a bed? ;-)
Still negotiating re: the Cirque. I may only make Sunday. sigh. I'll look forward to seeing you there.
That new bike hauler, btw, is fabulous. How many tandems can you carry at one time? Or is it one tandem and a bed? ;-)
Still negotiating re: the Cirque. I may only make Sunday. sigh. I'll look forward to seeing you there.
For Cirque, it looks like rhm will be there as well as KonAaron Snake and his wife. I'll be there all 3 days, but I think they'll be there only Sunday by the looks of things. I look forward to seeing you at the show, even if it is only Sunday.
#137
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Chrome Norman on ebay.
April 1952 Norman Cycles "Invader or Rapide" All Chrome 27 inch Bicycle | eBay
April 1952 Norman Cycles "Invader or Rapide" All Chrome 27 inch Bicycle | eBay
#139
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That chrome Invader, with the bent fork, has been on ebay many times. The first time, I'm guessing four years ago, the starting price was $125 and I set a snipe at $200 or so and mentioned to the seller that the fork was bent. So he took it to a bike shop where they said they could fix the fork and that a collector would pay $600 for the bike. So he believed them but didn't have them fix the fork but raised the starting price to $400. Consequently my snipe failed, and he kept the bike.
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#140
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He's referring to it now as an Invader or Rapide. I personally think it's an Invader with 27" wheels and not a Rapide. The lugs appear to be the older style as on my red Invader. It is chrome and looks to be in good condition other than the bent fork. Frankly, the threat of him parting out the bike has me concerned. I'd hate to see another piece of cycling history lost to the lure of money.
#141
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He's referring to it now as an Invader or Rapide. I personally think it's an Invader with 27" wheels and not a Rapide. The lugs appear to be the older style as on my red Invader. It is chrome and looks to be in good condition other than the bent fork. Frankly, the threat of him parting out the bike has me concerned. I'd hate to see another piece of cycling history lost to the lure of money.
The bike is definitely an Invader, not a Rapide. Chrome Invader frames are known from the 50's. Though the lug style is earlier, they used this style of lug on Invaders a little later. His 1952 date is probably correct (for this one and your red one as well).
#143
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I can't believe how time flies. I remember posting the CL ad on the "are you looking for thread". Nice!
Last edited by cycleheimer; 08-22-19 at 07:09 AM.
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