18 U. S. NATIONAL IMUSEUM BULLETIN 2 04 



on the size of tlie front wheel. This example is fitted with a 60- 

 spoke, 53-iiich front wheel, and a 20-spoke, 18-inch rear wheel, these 

 dimensions including the thickness of the solid rubber tires. 



The felloes of the wheels are of seamless steel tubing rolled into 

 a hollow crescent, the spokes are of steel wire, and the hub flanges are 

 of light forged steel rigidly secured to steel axles. The axles are 

 mounted on adjustable ball bearings. 



Adjustable, detachable cranks, proAnding from I14 to 5I/4 inches of 

 throw, are fitted to the front axle, with rubber-covered pedals attached 

 to the cranks. 



The curved perch has a tapering, circular cross section and is made 

 of imported, cold-drawn, seamless steel tubing; the front fork is 

 of the same material but elliptical in cross section; and the rear fork 

 is semitubular. 



The steering head is cylindrical and slightly tapered. The handle- 

 bar lug is forged solid with it. 



The machine is ecpiipped with a Kirkpatrick-type leather saddle 

 suspended on fore-and-aft springs; hollow, curved handle bars of 

 steel tubing fitted with pear-shaped vulcanite handles ; a step attached 

 to the lower left of the perch; a steel leg guard; and a friction brake, 

 operated by the rider's right hand, that works against the tire of the 

 front wheel. 



Catalogs of the Pope Manufacturing Co. reveal that 1892 was the 

 last year it offered high-wheeled bicycles, and that it never made 

 machines of the Star type. 



OVERMAN BICYCLE, 1886 



U. S. N. M. No. 307216; original; gift of Edward Hosea Sitliens in 1921; 

 pliotograpli No. 811-B ; plate l.j, b. 



This ordinary, built by the Overman Wheel Co., of Boston, Mass., 

 was their Victor model, and was ridden to many racing victories in 

 the late 1880's by Stacy Cassady, of Millville, N. J. It was probably 

 built in 1886, as the latest patent date on its nameplate is December 1, 

 1885. 



In appearance it is very similar to the Columbia Light Roadster, 

 though larger and of heavier construction. The front wheel is 54 

 inches in diameter and contains 72 wire spokes, while the rear wheel 

 is 18 inches in diameter, with 24 wire spokes. The spokes are tangen- 

 tially laced to the hubs. 



Adjustable cranks with rubber-covered pedals provide for a throw 

 of from 5 to 5% inches. 



The machine is equipped with a leather saddle, a step attached to the 

 lower left of the curved perch, and curved handle bars. There is 



