Another Badgeless TOC Bike
This bike looks to be 1890s. The rear hub has no brake or freewheel, but looks like it originally had a spoon brake which is now missing. I'll post it on The Cabe in case it's an American bike, and I'm posting it here in case anyone recognizes it as a Canadian-made or British-made bike. It came out of a farm auction in Janetville, south of Lindsay, about 50 years ago. If you know what it is, please tell!
Hi Brian
Can't put a name to the bike but that is a nice original bike. In time the name will come up.
Thanks Dave. If you had to narrow it down to a 3 year time period, when would you place it? Unless it's an illusion from the camera, the front rim looks smaller than the rear. This, plus the short rear fender makes me wonder if it's from the early half of the 1890s - what do you think? I haven't had much luck on The CABE; only one reply from someone who thinks it looks similar to a Gendron. Another question: Is there anything about it that hints whether it's a British, Canadian, or American bike? From what I remember from reading 1890s Canadian bike literature, a lot of imported bikes at that time came from England, not the U.S. I haven't seen the bike yet but it's for sale. I might make an offer on it and see what happens. Not sure what it's worth. I would be more motivated if I knew it was built in Canada. It's really disappointing when the head badge is missing.
Hi Brian
I would say between1896 and 8.i think Canadian but that is a guess. The guy that replyed on the Cabe i think knows his bikes and Gendron is a good guess. He has a most impressive track racing collection. It could be a American Gendron and both might be the same from that time frame.
More information: Both wheels are the same size even though the front looks smaller in the photo. The tire on the rear is 26". The badge holes for the missing badge are one above the other and 2.5 inches apart. The owner remarked that the screw holding the seatpost is unusual, so I asked him for a photo and will (try to) post it here. It's a square head screw and holds the post from the rear. If anyone recognizes the seat post arrangement please let me know. If anyone has a Gendron badge from the era, either a Toronto or Toledo badge, can you measure the distance between the screw holes please?