"NEW RAPID BICYCLE, 1889 U.S.N.M. No. 201660... photograph No. 811-C; plate 14, b. 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... one of... many makes of English bicycles of the 1880's and was manufactured by the St. George's Engineering Co. ... The frame is of metal tubing, the tangentially-wire-spoked wheels are... metal with... solid rubber tires, the handle bars are metal with wooden grips... and the saddle is composed of leather and springs. The lower end of the vertical section of the frame is articulated, for adjusting the tension of the driving chain. The single chain strut is to the left of the rear wheel, as is the chain itself. This strut, as well as the crank-bracket stay, required adjusting in order to swing forward the articulated section of the frame for tightening the chain tension. ...The rear-wheel sprocket is driven by a block chain from the front sprocket, which is equipped with pedals adjustable in throw from 4 3/4 to about 6 inches. There is no coaster attachment, the pedals always turning while the bicycle is in motion. Oil cups are... in the hub of each wheel. A small metal mudguard is... over the rear wheel, and it is thought... another was located over the... front wheel. A small footrest is attached to each side of the front-wheel fork, for... coasting. A step is attached to the left side of the rear fork, for... mounting... A warning bell is attached 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 coil spring normally holds the spoon away from the tire. A small leather tool bag hangs from the steering-head stay. Attached to a bracket on the front of the steering head is an oil lamp... In addition to the round clear glass in front, the lamp is fitted with a green glass in the right side and a red glass in the left side."
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Catalog of the Cycle Collection (Smithsonian Bulletin 204)
Catalog of the Cycle Collection of the Division of Engineering United States National Museum, Smithsonian Institution United States National Museum, Bulletin 204 by Smith Hempstone Oliver was published in 1953 by the United States Government Printing Office at the Price of 40 cents.
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