PENNY FARTHING RUDGE ORDINARY ORIGINAL135yrs old 1887 56in Xmas present for Him

  
Not a replica or a modern copy. Rare 56inch - potentially one of the fastest wheel sizes for top speed in its day. We ve owned the bike for 4 years and it had previously been for many years in a public collection. We had lessons in how to ride it and I d be happy to pass this on to any novice. Amazingly the value of these original veteran bikes isnt much different to the modern copies - this bike is a grand original and can be ridden out of the box. We looked a many prior to purchasing and it was plain that many were in a barely ridable condition and what made us select this was the matching numbers and the highly rideable condition. The vintage veteran scene is bustling and there are period events and also races all over the country.

We first saw an ordinary race at the Penny farthing world championships in Tasmania even. The VCC - veteran cycle club - is the one to join with frequent events. Not at all easy to find such a straight machine with all these matching numbers again. Manufactured for the burgeoning American market and exported to their sole American concessionaires, Stoddard and Lovering of Boston, this bicycle has a frame number of 23409 and front bearings number of 31313.

The bicycle was imported from the US in the 80s, where it had been previously used as a prop at Universal Studios. It comes with documentation and a rare copy of an 1887 illustrated brochure for Stoddard Lovering & Co, featuring Ordinaries and other Tricycle and Safety Bicycles. The brochure is in sound condition. Original Tool Kit is also included with oiler, period adjustable in a roll with saddlebag - pictures available.

Presented in excellent working condition, features of this machine include tangential spoking to both wheels, circular backbone with a nicely swaged rear with double mounted steps fitted, culminating in a nicely profiled fork crown. The hollow blade front forks have a typical Rudge square shoulder design, a correctly mounted saddle support and leather seat.

Expertly restored in the 1993 by Tony Huntington, old style and correct nickel-plating has been applied to the 28-inch handlebars with stirrup grips and turn handles, spoon brake and sprung lever, head stock, leg guards, cranks with racing rat trap pedals with early toe clips fitted and wheel hubs. The wheels were overhauled - pictures available.

Copies of his original restoration technical information sheet are also included together with detailed pictures of the restoration. 2 days were spent overhauling the mains bearings on the main wheel alone to preserve the integrity of the races. Beautifully finished in chocolate with cream lining, the Stoddard & Lovering address transfer remains on the backbone just below the saddle. On the steering head knuckle is stamped'D Rudge & Co,'The Rudge' Coventry 56'.

The frame number is stamped either side of the front fork ends, just above the bearings and bearing patent number is stamped on the bearing casings. Coming with the bicycle is a tool bag containing a Lucas Girder No 91 adjustablener and oiler. We use a heavy 140SAE oil for the bearings and can supply this separately if desired.

This is a truly rare and desirable bicycle, which would be a much admired in any enthusiast's collection. The item "PENNY FARTHING RUDGE ORDINARY ORIGINAL135yrs old 1887 56in Xmas present for Him" is in sale since Wednesday, July 19, 2017.

This item is in the category "Sporting Goods\Cycling\Bikes". The seller is "vhex4sam" and is located in Honiton. This item can be shipped to all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, United States, Canada, Australia.

• Type: Rudge of England