Vintage Bicycle Collections

DanMurphy

Any other vintage bicycle collectors on Boards?

I've been collecting for a few years and have managed to keep about a dozen because 'herself indoors' hasn't been bitten by bicycle bug.
Among these relics of bygone days are -
A 1920s Postman's bike
An Army Mk V BSA 1939/42
A Phillips Military bike (Made from BSA B Pattern parts) pre - 1920, possibly a 1902 model with leather weapon carrier fittings
A Clown's Circus Bike from the 1930's
A Junior Penny Farthing
A 1908 Phillips Ladies Bike
and a 1914 Ladies BSA Roadster.

(Can't put up pics as I'm a newbie)

Anyone else got the bicycle collecting bug?

DanMurphy

DanMurphy wrote: »

Any other vintage bicycle collectors on Boards?

I've been collecting for a few years and have managed to keep about a dozen because 'herself indoors' hasn't been bitten by bicycle bug.
Among these relics of bygone days are -
A 1920s Postman's bike
An Army Mk V BSA 1939/42
A Phillips Military bike (Made from BSA B Pattern parts) pre - 1920, possibly a 1902 model with leather weapon carrier fittings
A Clown's Circus Bike from the 1930's
A Junior Penny Farthing
A 1908 Phillips Ladies Bike
and a 1914 Ladies BSA Roadster.

(Can't put up pics as I'm a newbie)

Anyone else got the bicycle collecting bug?

I have 3 but they're 1970's and 1950's. I'm not a collector as such, just happen to have them but I think there will be a big decline in vintage bikes over the next number of years with house clearances/smaller houses, little storage space etc so I think it will be a lucrative market and growing interest in years to come.

Your collection is impressive. Do you showcase them anywhere?

DanMurphy

I showed some of them last winter to local history clubs, in village halls etc, and said a few words about each bicycle, plus a short history of cycling in Ireland.
They are wasted sitting in an old shed, and deserve to be seen by the wider public.
True they are getting scarce and like a lot of our metal and iron heritage items, Hammond Lane gets most of it !

DanMurphy

Looks as if there are just the two of us Plenty !

I was thinking of opening a small Museum dedicated to cycling, (wife's idea) just for a few weeks to begin with.

It's hard to judge if there's enough interest in these old bikes out there.
Then there's Public Liability Insurance!

I'll give it a go and see what happens!

whisky_galore

Probably have a chat to someone who runs a private museum first, see what the lay of the land is before letting strangers traipse all over your property.

DanMurphy

DanMurphy wrote: »

Looks as if there are just the two of us Plenty !

I was thinking of opening a small Museum dedicated to cycling, (wife's idea) just for a few weeks to begin with.

It's hard to judge if there's enough interest in these old bikes out there.
Then there's Public Liability Insurance!

I'll give it a go and see what happens!

I think that's a super idea Dan. No time like the present either. You could try and start with a small open-day for the local neighbourhood or even just a few neighbours and see how it goes. I'd say your local parish active retirement club would love a talk on these (in fact they could probably give a talk on these ) so could try there also as a starting point.

Best of luck with the idea.

endacl

Head on over to the cycling forum. There are several members who have restored old horses there. Once your post count is up, I'd love to see the pics.

http://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?query=Restoration&forum=410

DanMurphy

Today is a 'red-letter' day for me, as I've just got my hands on an 1870s (Blacksmith made) boneshaker!
I've been chasing it for some time and managed to buy it earlier today.

Jeeez lads, but 'tis a primitive yoke!

(I feel like shouting YIPPEEEEE...but I'm far too old and reserved for that carry on)

Technique

A guy I know has a big collection of vintage bikes.

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/chris531/collections/72157629689779885/

http://lovelybike.blogspot.ie/2012/05/along-for-ride-with-veteran-cycle-club.html

DanMurphy

Thanks for the above Technique.
Fantastic bicycles and scenery of NI.
Well done to all involved up there.

DanMurphy

DanMurphy wrote: »

Today is a 'red-letter' day for me, as I've just got my hands on an 1870s (Blacksmith made) boneshaker!
I've been chasing it for some time and managed to buy it earlier today.

Jeeez lads, but 'tis a primitive yoke!

(I feel like shouting YIPPEEEEE...but I'm far too old and reserved for that carry on)

I've since settled down a wee bit and brought it to an expert in those old machines to be examined.
He confirmed that it's the real deal so I'm twice as happy !
:D:D

411 guy

it would be great to see pictures, there's a bike/cycling museum/Cafe/workshop opening down the country on saturday.
Its being opened by the high nelly shop from Cappamore near limerick,the owner owns several gems of bikes.
The museum will be somewhere along the Tipperary road from Limerick.

DanMurphy

I'll be going along to that. It's near Pallasgreen village, and I'll probably have to be 'dragged out' of the place.
I could stare at those old bicycles all day!
There's a Pub in Co. Laois has a High Nelly Museum also, and a fine display on offer.
I tried to post pics of my 'new' Velocipede on Boards but with no luck.
It's akin to rocket science to me!
Next Sunday I intend to bring a few bicycles to a Vintage Rally and gauge the local interest.

411 guy

DanMurphy wrote: »

I'll be going along to that. It's near Pallasgreen village, and I'll probably have to be 'dragged out' of the place.
I could stare at those old bicycles all day!
There's a Pub in Co. Laois has a High Nelly Museum also, and a fine display on offer.
I tried to post pics of my 'new' Velocipede on Boards but with no luck.
It's akin to rocket science to me!
Next Sunday I intend to bring a few bicycles to a Vintage Rally and gauge the local interest.

So are you bringing any bike or are others bringing bikes to the opening on saturday?

411 guy

I suppose i could be called a collector,owning about a dozen high nelly's which i love to use regularly.
I find it very hard to date them,Most re standard framed bikes but have a '30s tandem and childs bike here at the moment,along with a few with CYCLEMASTER engines,one of which i'll be advertising soon.

DanMurphy

411 guy wrote: »

So are you bringing any bike or are others bringing bikes to the opening on saturday?

Don't know if that's allowed?

DanMurphy

I might be in the market for one of those old engines.
Give me a shout when you're ready to sell.

411 guy

DanMurphy wrote: »

Don't know if that's allowed?

I would have thought it was a good opportunity to welcome lots of potential customers.?
would it increase the interest and enthusiasm of those within local travelling distance.?

DanMurphy

I'm a long way from there but I'll be calling to visit the place next week. Can't make it for the opening day.

411 guy

DanMurphy wrote: »

Any other vintage bicycle collectors on Boards?

I've been collecting for a few years and have managed to keep about a dozen because 'herself indoors' hasn't been bitten by bicycle bug.
Among these relics of bygone days are -
A 1920s Postman's bike
An Army Mk V BSA 1939/42
A Phillips Military bike (Made from BSA B Pattern parts) pre - 1920, possibly a 1902 model with leather weapon carrier fittings
A Clown's Circus Bike from the 1930's
A Junior Penny Farthing
A 1908 Phillips Ladies Bike
and a 1914 Ladies BSA Roadster.

(Can't put up pics as I'm a newbie)

Anyone else got the bicycle collecting bug?

How are you dating your bikes so accurately?

DanMurphy

It's not easy to date a bicycle's age accurately through frame numbers, especially Raleigh, as their records are fairly scant.
Generally, it's hard work, patience, a bit of knowledge, through contacts, and lots of research.




I'm confident that all my bikes are properly dated, or as near as possible.