CATALOG OF THE CYCLE COLLECTION 19 



evidence to indicate that a brake, operating against the tire of the 

 front wheel, was once litted to the machine. 



BEESTON HUMBER RACING BICYCLE, 1886 



U. S. N. M. Xo. 310S1S ; orliiinal ; ,uift of Albert E. Schaaf in 1!)34 ; photograph 

 No. 41349-A; plate 10, n. 



This liglitweight racing bicycle, weighing only 24 pounds, was 

 built by Hnmber and Co., Ltd., of Beeston, Xottingham, England, in 

 1886 and was completely restored to new condition by its donor 

 before being presented to the National Museum. This make of 

 ordinary was ridden by many world's champions in the 1880"s. 



As does the Overman Victor, this Humber closely resembles the 

 1886 Columbia in general shape. The diameter of the front wheel 

 with its solid rubber tire is 5-2 inches, while that of the rear wheel is 

 18 inches. The wheels are fitted, respectively, with <'>() and 20 radial 

 wire spokes. 



Adjustable cranks, jjroviding from 4 to 514 inches of throw, are 

 attached to the front axle. The i)edals are not rubber covered. 



The leather saddle is secured directly to the perch without the 

 benefit of springs, and there is no step and no brake, all of which 

 aided in keeping the weight to a mininunn. The curved handle bars 

 are fitted with smooth, white grips. 



STARLEY BICYCLE, Ca. 1887 



U. S. N. M. No. 218218; original; gift of J. E. Hosford in 1003; jiiiotograiili No. 

 Sll-D ; plate 17, ff. 



This "Psycho" bicycle, built by Starley Brothers, St. John's Works, 

 Coventry, England, is of the improved cross-frame, safety type, with 

 a crank-bracket stay, a stay between the steering head and the top of 

 the saddle post, and a |)air of stays from the rear end of the rear fork 

 to the top of the saddle post. In 1887 the manufactui-ers of this 

 machine were awarded a gold medal at the International Exhibition 

 at Toulouse, France. 



The frame is of metal tubing, the handle bars are metal with wooden 

 grips on each end, and the Brooks saddle, of leather over coil springs, 

 is adjustable both vertically and fore and aft. 



Each wheel, 30 inches in diameter, has a thin solid-rubber tire and 

 48 radial wire spokes. The rear-wheel sprocket, on the right side of 

 the wheel, is driven by a block chain from the front sprocket, which 

 is equipped with pedals adju,stable in throw from 514 to 6i/4 inches. 

 The chain tension is adjusted by moving the rear axle backwards or 

 forwards in slots at the rear end of the rear fork. There is no 



