Barra aluminum bicycle

Beautiful Barra aluminum bicycle.
Nichola Barra build these aluminum bicycles from the late 1930s into the 1950s.
it is gas welded aluminum, expertly done, flawless, and way ahead of its time.
Also take note of the ovalized tubing at the joints- Seatlug and bottom bracket.
This example was equipped Lam brakes, Le Chat front derailleur, Stronglight 34 cranks, Simplex rear derailleur, Porteur Hubs, Simplex Skewers, Stronglight Headset, Ideale saddle.
These bikes are exceedingly rare, and to see one in person is extremely hard to do, expecially here in the United States.

Ken Denny in Boston owns this bicycle.

International Cycling History Conference

I recently attended the International Cycling History Conference hosted by Gary Sanderson and the David Metz Bicycle Museum.
The talks were interesting and even trumping that was the Metz Museum, that leans toward early bicycles, but also shows David Metz sense of humor. Included amongst Star, Punnent Companion, and Eliot-Hickory bicycles is a display of clown bicycles. He also has various exhibits of wacky things, like mouse traps, bottle openers, and early roller skates.
here are some photos of the weekend.

click on to enlarge the photos=

1908 Caminade Track Bicycle

very cool track racer.
chater lea headset, Caminade chainring. New Departure rear hub,
Persons saddle, John Bull Toe Clips, and what looks like Torrington pedals.
the very interesting feature is the square tubing for the chainstays.
the crimped seatstays at the dropouts to make it more rigid.
the unique seat cluster, it uses the 2 clamps, one is the traditional seat binder bolt-
the other is the early seatclamp that tightens with a conical sleeve, and a threaded unit and a nut. Tightening the nut compresses the sleeve to then hold the seatpost.
I'm not sure why it used both.
the headlugs look like early BSA lugs, no keyholes.
The bike has been restored, not sure what is original and what has been replaced over the past 100 years, but still a very interesting bike.
This bike was on display at the International Cycling History Conference,\
and was on loan from US cycling Hall of Fame Museum.

Click on pictures for larger images

nice turn of the Century bicycle

Nice Singletube Pneumatic.
equipped with Kelly adjustable handlebars.
unique fork crown.
I don't know what make it is.

Click on pictures for more detail.

more swap meet pictures

the Van, upon returning.


Racycle. Look at the gearing, pretty hilarious.

cool collection of bicycle headbadges, name plates.

very nicely restored Elgin Bluebird

some bike swap meet pictures

Click on pictures for larger images
(i have none of these items for sale, just pictures)

Caminade Caminargent Track bike

Here is the most beautiful example of a Caminargent Track bike I have ever seen.
The track model is a bit tougher to locate.
First introduced around 1936, Aluminum octagonal tubing, that is pinchbolted into the various lugs. the frame can be completely disassembled.
The bike was outfitted with aluminum Stronglight Cotterless cranks, aluminum handlebars, stem, aluminum rail saddle(similar to the Ideale), aluminum hubs and rims.
this track model has something I have never seen, a unique way to tie and solder the spokes, it has a connecting strand that is continuous.

Some more info on Caminargents here-Joel Metz's website

(click on pictures for larger images)