Early Leather Head Harness/Helmet...What sport is this for?

[CarltonHendricks]

Received the cycling helmet...amazingly the vague idea I had how and where I'd display it worked out...somewhat...till I can figure something else out anyway...I just sat it on top of some small figures in a case and it looks fine....at least it's easily seen and I can enjoy it.

One of the greatest bicycling antiques I ever saw is a "wish I woulda"...I was on a pre-con National trip...maybe it was 05'..I was going thru the antiques stores in Adamstown PA...I went in a store, I think it was called South Side Antiques...I heard its closed now...Anyway...I spotted a tin...clearly c1880...exceptional condition...that archaic mustard color with black printing...Picture a coke can but with a screw top....that's about what the size and shape was....It was for sperm oil...on the front was an illustration of a highwheel bicycle rider riding thru a large bicycle wheel..like coming at you...At the time I didn't know bicycles back then used sperm oil for lubrication..whale oil..

The price was $1,200.00...and I was on my way to the National and needed to conserve fire power...I remember thinking if it was $800.00 I'd have bought it...as I recall they were firm on the price and wouldn't budge...It was a collective and the lady that was the owner of the store was nice but adamantly refused to let me take a photo of it...I tried the I'd like to do a feature on it and that didn't work...I was even friends with someone she knew. I've never seen or heard of another example...That tin in that good of condition...likely the finest example extant...

[steve B]

I collect bike racing stuff. I have a good collection of 1980's bikes and other equipment used by the US national team, plus a few other things.

Thanks for showing the program I'm very interested in the history of the bike land speed record but I hadn't seen the pic of Marquet.

I saw a talk about 6 day racing by the guy who runs the site and shop in Wa state. Really interesting, since he went out and found a bunch of those guys and interviewed them before they died. Saved a ton of history.

On his museum pages the prewar section has Bartells speed record bike that he got directly from Bartell. Cool story. While doing the interviews he rarely asked for anything besides the interview. After a bunch of interviews Bartell asks him if he can help with something outside. He goes to help, and it's basically moving his grandkids department store bikes in the shed to get at the snow blower or something. He moves a last item, forget what, plywood or wading pool something big, and behind it is an old racing bike. When he asks what it is Bartell tells him "that's the speed record bike and I need you to put it in your car"

You can see the difference in helmets on his site. The prewar ones aren't rare, but they're not exactly common either. The ones from the 60's-70's are actually pretty easy to find, and the last generation of hairnet helmets from the 80's when they were on their way out and hardshell helmets were the new thing are common. Sometimes you still find new old stock ones.

Here's one of the bikes I have. Built for the 1984 Olympic team time trial. I had to make a bunch of the special parts to make it a bike again. (Acceptable in old bike circles as long as it's not hidden) I can't be sure it was actually used. They made 12 of them and used 4 so it's about a 33% chance. They did make one that was different, someday I'll measure the angles to see if it's that one. If it is I'll know for sure as well as which rider.


Steve B