20 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 04 



coaster attachment, the pedals always turning while the bicycle is 

 in motion. Oil cups are provided in the hub of each wheel. 



A metal mudguard is secured over the rear of the front wheel, but 

 only the lower portion of the rear mudguard remains. The upper 

 portion is missing. A small footrest is attached to each side of the 

 front-wheel fork, for use while coasting. A step is attached to the 

 left side of the rear fork for use when mounting the machine. A 

 warning bell is affixed to the left handle bar, and a lever for hand 

 operation of the front-wheel brake spoon is pivoted on the right 

 handle bar. A flat leaf spring normally holds the spoon away from 

 the tire. A support for a head lamp, now missing, is mounted on 

 the upi^er part of the front fork so that the lamp's rays would always 

 be thrown in the direction of the front wheel's travel. 



COLUMBIA BICYCLE, 1888 



U. S. N. M. No. ol3371 ; original ; gift of Albeit E. Schaaf in 1949 ; photograph 

 No. 41349 ; plate 16, h. 



This ordinarj^, a Columbia Light Roadster of 1888, is very similar, 

 both in design and appearance, to the corresponding model of 1886, 

 though it was sold for slightly less, approximately $125. Its weight, 

 with all equipment, is 42 pounds. 



This example is fitted with a 68-spoke, 53-inch front wheel, and a 

 20-spoke, 18-inch rear wheel. The wire spokes are tangentially 

 laced to the hubs. 



The adjustable cranks, attached to the front axle, provide a throw 

 of from 5 to 6 inches. The pedals are rubber covered. 



The slight differences between this and the 1886 model include 

 the method of springing the saddle, the shape of the handle bars and 

 of the grips, and the fact that the step is adjustable. 



This machine was completely restored to new condition by its 

 donor before being presented to the National Museum. It is finished 

 in black paint and chromium plate. 



NEW RAPID BICYCLE, 1889 



U. S. N. M. No. 201660 ; original ; gift of H. K. Griffith in 1899 ; photograph No. 

 811-C ; plate 14, h. 



This bicycle is one of the improved cross-frame, safety type, with a 

 chain strut, a crank-bracket stay, and a stay between the steering 

 head and the top of the saddle post. It is an example of one of the 

 many makes of English bicycles of the 1880's and Avas manufactured 

 by the St. George's Engineering Co., of Birmingham, England. 



The frame is of metal tubing, the tangentially- wire-spoked wheels 

 are of metal with thin solid rubber tires, the handle bars are metal 



