c 1906 James Archer 2 speed on eBay
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
c 1906 James Archer 2 speed on eBay
Here is another offering on eBay UK that I thought some of you would enjoy seeing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/160811496127...84.m1423.l2649
Vintage Rare James Archer "2 Speed Bracket Gear" Rod Brake Bike - 1906:
Very rare James Archer 2 speed bike, this bike is in unrestored condition, The gears and brakes do work but the tyres are perished. This would be an ideal restoration project or may catch the eye of a keen collector either way this bike is a real gem.
The bike all seem original and complete, It is believed to be 1906 or around that time. We have managed to find a website related to the bike this is...
https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1906-ja...ottom-bracket/
Specifications:
26 x 1 1/2 Wheels
2 Speed James Archer Bottom Bracket Gears
Dynamo Lights
Rubber Block Pedals
"Wright" Sprung Saddle
Full Chainguard
https://www.ebay.com/itm/160811496127...84.m1423.l2649
Vintage Rare James Archer "2 Speed Bracket Gear" Rod Brake Bike - 1906:
Very rare James Archer 2 speed bike, this bike is in unrestored condition, The gears and brakes do work but the tyres are perished. This would be an ideal restoration project or may catch the eye of a keen collector either way this bike is a real gem.
The bike all seem original and complete, It is believed to be 1906 or around that time. We have managed to find a website related to the bike this is...
https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1906-ja...ottom-bracket/
Specifications:
26 x 1 1/2 Wheels
2 Speed James Archer Bottom Bracket Gears
Dynamo Lights
Rubber Block Pedals
"Wright" Sprung Saddle
Full Chainguard
__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
#4
Senior Member
I really don't think 1906, bikes were a bit less stamped out in 1906.
#6
Hopelessly addicted...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 4,955
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
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
Interesting old bike, for sure. With that said, I'm with repechage in that I don't think the bike is as old as the auction states. To my eye at least, it appears to be somewhere in the 30's or 40's, though I don't know anything about the history of the 2-speed hubs.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I think it could very well be a c 1906 bike. - That is if the seller's source is not in error.
https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1906-ja...ottom-bracket/
Check out the 1907 advert.
https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1906-ja...ottom-bracket/
Check out the 1907 advert.
__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairplay Co
Posts: 9,674
Bikes: Current 79 Nishiki Custum Sport, Jeunet 620, notable previous bikes P.K. Ripper loop tail, Kawahara Laser Lite, Paramount Track full chrome, Raliegh Internatioanl, Motobecan Super Mirage. 59 Crown royak 3 speed
Liked 1,995 Times
in
683 Posts
Interesting old bike, for sure. With that said, I'm with repechage in that I don't think the bike is as old as the auction states. To my eye at least, it appears to be somewhere in the 30's or 40's, though I don't know anything about the history of the 2-speed hubs.
#15
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Interesting old bike, for sure. With that said, I'm with repechage in that I don't think the bike is as old as the auction states. To my eye at least, it appears to be somewhere in the 30's or 40's, though I don't know anything about the history of the 2-speed hubs.
The Patterson 2 speed crank is a comparable modern variant on this idea.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Posts: 5,630
Bikes: one of each
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
14 Posts
Basic black was pretty popular in England in the early days.
Edit; Your right, there does appear to be traces of chrome under some of that. Particularly the front rim and the headlight. I have that same light on one of my bikes in chrome, I'd guess it's a 60s add on.
Edit; Your right, there does appear to be traces of chrome under some of that. Particularly the front rim and the headlight. I have that same light on one of my bikes in chrome, I'd guess it's a 60s add on.
Last edited by sailorbenjamin; 02-21-13 at 10:57 PM.
#17
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
By 1904 Sturmey Archer and Raleigh had already started their love affair... and were the company to beat until they decided they would just buy you up and make you part of their syndicate.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
This ad is a pretty good match for the bike in question. I don't think that the seller is that far-off in his assessment of its age.
The lighting however is undoubtedly a later addition.
__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Metro Exurb
Posts: 424
Bikes: 1982 Torker BMX, 1990 Cannondale Black Lightning, 1996 Cannondale F400
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
"A Triumph Of Science and Mechanical Skill"!! and that Shakespeare quote gave me a good chuckle as well.
Cool old bike, thanks for posting.
Cool old bike, thanks for posting.
#20
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,781
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Liked 1,975 Times
in
1,135 Posts
British Cycling magazine published a 13 page article on available gear options listing 14 models of two-speed hub gears, 9 three-speed hub gears, 3 two-speed crank gears, 1 three-speed crank gear and one continuously variable hub gear.
This was in their February, 1907 issue.
About the James two-speed 'bracket' gear, they said: it ran 'solid' in high gear and geared down 25% when shifted. The over-run pawls were tripped by a rod that passed down along the seat tube. (You can see this rod in some of the pictures above.)
The Crypto-Dynamic two-speed cycle gear debuted at the cycle show in Albert Hall in 1883. It was featured in the enthusiast periodicals of the day and fitted to first quality cycles by OEMs beginning that year. Examples can be seen in cycle museums and collections today. The 'Manchester' two-speed hub was a best seller beginning in 1897. In Germany, Fitchel&Sachs began IGH production in 1904, the year after Sturmey-Archer, and offered two- and three-speed hub gears, and by 1912, a four-speed.
This was in their February, 1907 issue.
About the James two-speed 'bracket' gear, they said: it ran 'solid' in high gear and geared down 25% when shifted. The over-run pawls were tripped by a rod that passed down along the seat tube. (You can see this rod in some of the pictures above.)
...2-speed hubs didn't even really come in to production on stock bikes before the late 20's.
Last edited by tcs; 02-22-13 at 11:31 AM.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NE Wisconsin
Posts: 257
Bikes: Bike(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It would be nice to see an example of this type James in better condition, definitely looks like it has seen "The Dip" a time or two...
A blackout lantern would not look inappropriate up front.
A blackout lantern would not look inappropriate up front.
#22
Senior Member
coolest name for a component EVER.
__________________
Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
#24
waverley610
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Straight out of Surrey
Posts: 77
Bikes: ~ Unknown 1930's double top tube roadster ~ 1954 JAMES Arrow Ace hub geared club machine ~ 1959 All Steel Raleigh ~
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Very similar set up to a 1920's James 2 speed with sloping top tube that was out on our ride last weekend; I wish that I had taken a picture as it really was that nice a specimen.
In fact I wish it were mine.
...as the slogan says "JAMES So much the better"!
In fact I wish it were mine.
...as the slogan says "JAMES So much the better"!
#25
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,031
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Likes: 0
Liked 100 Times
in
50 Posts