My Brantford Red Bird

Submitted by barkmadly on Sun, 04/03/2011 - 23:10

Hi, I am writing from Australia. I have recently aquired a CCM made Brantford Red Bird. CCM was a popular brand here at least until the 20's until Australian produced bicycles (based on English standards) gained wide popularity.

I have dated the bike from local experts to beween 1900 - 1910 however I am keen to hear the opinions from those in it's country of origin.

These images were taken before I dismantled the bike and commenced removing rust etc.

The wheels are Westwood profile and have a small brass badge that reads "Dunlop Welch 28"x 1 1/2 Australasia" The rear hub is an Eadie 2 (or 3 speed??) coaster hub. I mention these details as I think the wheels may have been a later addition.

Anyhow your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Mark.

13 Comments

Submitted by John on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:00.

C'mon folks, where are all our bicycle experts????

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 08:11.

Neat bike! I`m no expert, but I`d say your correct in assuming the wheels have been replaced, the originals rims may have been  wood...

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 04/10/2011 - 22:26.

Yes, I understand that wooden rims were more popular with American/Canadian bikes. Fortunately I have a pair 'laying about'. I expect the hubs would have been CCM branded rather than BSA.

I will post pix when the resto is complete. So far so good.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 18:30.

I have one of these. It was my grandfather's bike and is in slightly better condition  than yours. I have a photo of him with it, taken around 1904-05 (defiately pre 1910) and shows it having what would have been nickle plated rims and front forks and with white balloon tyres. My bike was been fitted with slightly newer wheels by my grandfather, as it now has a rear coaster brake hub. I am currently restoring this bike and will use what is currently fitted.

The Redbird was made in Canada.

What I would really like to see is paintwork detail. I do know that the bike was originally painted marron, but has since been painted blue and all original detail has gone. In the early photo with my grandfather, the bike apears to be painted one colour, some pin lines evident, no decals or transfers evident (which in my mind fits the period) and only the embosed emblem on the headstem.

Tony

classicresto@ihug.com.au

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/09/2011 - 03:18.

Hi Tony, since these photos were taken I have put in many hours working on the frame removing the worst of the rust while maintaining paint. The bike was stored in a shed near the coast so there's plenty of rust, not that it really worries me.

The remaing paint is a maroon but there is no evidence of pinstriping. I have 2 images from a calogue circa 1918 that may be of interest to you. It indicates a decal on the seat tube. The second page mentions colours and striping available.

I will upload images of the frame shortly as the hours (and hours) of rubbing it back are almost over!

I would be interested in seeing an image of your bike too.

Cheers, Mark.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/15/2011 - 19:24.

Hi Mark, this is Keith in New Zealand.

I have a RedBird about the same era as yours, but missing wheels.

As to the Dunlop Welch rims, I had a 1917 Dayton with the same rims and tags. The bike had the original  grey Dunlop tyres as well. Plus the original tied and soldered spokes.

I am pretty sure most of the American or Canadian bikes out here were fitted with Welch 28x1/1/2 steel rims (remember this was before the wood era here which were 28x1/3/8.)

The US wood was a different size and were usually singles or "sew ups" commanly known now as tubulars.

The Dunlop Welch is one of the first Dunlop rims and still having the brass badges is great.

They are very light and you will notice the rolled edge stops after the roll and doesn't continue into towards the center like most 28'' rims.

Mine were also nickeled, I think you may find yours are about the same era as the bike.

Don't let anyone talk you out of them.

Cheers Keith.      keithmc@caverock.net.nz

 

 

 

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/15/2011 - 19:42.

HI Mark, Keith here again.

Bit of a brain fade.

The Welch rims were on a 

Massey Harris Model 17 track bike   not Dayton.

It was a beautiful original bike, still floating around the South Island here somewhere.

 

Cheers  Keith.

Submitted by barkmadly on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 04:42.

My bike came fitted with Westwood 28x1 1/2" rims. On the rear was fitted an Eadie 2speed coaster hub. As mentioned in a post above this was standard spec from the factory for the 'colonies' .
I need help in repairing the hub. I sheared the axle by massively over torqueing the cog in an attempt to remove it. I have the parts required to fix it but not the expertise. Does anyone out there know of anyone anywherewho can repaii this type of hub?

Submitted by Dave Brown on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 16:08.

Hi Mark

  Is there a number on your  head badgeyou might have to look close to see it .  I think your bike would have come with steel Westwood rims  and wood as an option. I have a CCM  Massey Harris 1906 catalog  Australia issue. The rims are steel  westwood with wood an option.  As for the Eadie 2 speed hub you might try Paul Farren in Melbourne.i can give you more info if you get back to me. The model  Massey harris17 track bike that Keith talked about in New Zealand was a nice bike and i wish now i would have bought it when i had the chance .  Get  back to me at Bikehike@rogers.com   Always looking for a Goold Brantford Red Bird mens bicycle before CCM they where imported to your side of the big pond along with Massey Harris.

regards Dave

Submitted by barkmadly on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 22:45.

I have finally got my rear hub sorted - it changes gears and the brake works brilliantly. There is a bloke in Melbourne who can fix anything to do with bicycles, but he takes hos sweet time.

The final challenge arose when assembling the bike. An axle nut on the front hub stripped - the hub is CCM, not BSA like the rear. The thread is unlike any I have seen on a bike. It's quite fine. I have tried dozens of nuts from other English hubs and nothing is compatable.

Does anyone out there who has a spare front axle nut to suit?

 

Mark, Australia. barkmadly@netspace.net.au

Submitted by bikedenis on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 07:19.

hmmm!!!.... If the nut is stripped, there's a chance tthat the axle is also stripped !!..

Submitted by Dave Brown on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 12:25.

Hi  Mark  Send me the thread count and size of axle as I should have a axle nut for CCM front  .

Dave

Submitted by barkmadly on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 07:12.

Hi Dave, Yes, the axle is not too good, but I should be able to space it so the nut secures on good thread.

Axle dimensions are - 5/16", thread count - 30 per inch. I hope you have a spare nut.

 

Cheers, Mark