Pedals and steam

Took my twenties girder frame out for a spin along the local trailway with the family just recently and came across these two beasts at the Shillingstone Railway Project. They're new arrivals and originally from Slovenia. Apparently the plan is to have at least one running soon with help from volunteers and there is some three miles of track to be laid. To find out more about the locomotives themselves visit the Project 62 site.

Girder frame bicycle and Class 62 USA type
tank locomotive from the former Yugoslavia
and now in Dorset.

The girder frame shows off alone.

Here's the second loco. A bit more of a project
than it's brother this one.

Royal Enfield bicycles brochure

Royal Enfield bicycles brochure from the fifties. I haven't been able to identify the year exactly but it is marked '1154' on the back page. I'd assume this to mean November 1954 so this looks like the 1955 model year range brochure.

Royal Enfield 1955 bicycles brochure front cover.

Royal Enfield 1955 bicycles brochure pages 1 and 2.

Royal Enfield 1955 bicycles brochure pages 3 and 4.

Royal Enfield 1955 bicycles brochure pages 5 and 6.

Royal Enfield 1955 bicycles brochure pages 7 and 8.

Royal Enfield 1955 bicycles brochure pages 9 and 10.

Royal Enfield 1955 bicycles brochure rear cover.

Girder framed project finished

The mystery (maybe Robin Hood, maybe Royal Enfield) girder-frame project is completed and ready to ride and I'm delighted with the result. The cycle has had a general service and a few parts added. The horrible blue plastic grips were junked for a pair of new old stock rubber items from the correct period, a Lucas carbide light added and I felt that a cycle of this stature should have a rack so a suitable one was sourced via ebay. It's rather nice, a 'Princip' - a brand of rack I've never heard of before but it looks the part and is pretty much the same pattern as a Brooks item.

I had a lucky cat mascot on the shelf that I've put on the handlebars, it's quirky and period and might as well go on a cycle as sit on a shelf. The pedals are new old stock and came to me boxed. I pondered for a while before fitting as they will be nos only once but they were made to be used so on they went.

Weight-wise the cycle is a tank but it's a quality product and the ride is good. I'm not sure if the Sturmey hub is original or not but it makes the whole plot a lot more rideable, no gears on this one would be a chore.

1920s mystery girder frame bicycle - Royal Enfield or Robin Hood?

This machine has just come my way. I had been looking for a Royal Enfield Girder or Duplex frame for a while and then this appeared at the right price. Only thing is I really don't know what it is. To all intents and purposes it looks like a Royal Enfield but has no head badge and never has had. 

I've done some investigations and it seems that Robin Hood also offered a girder frame model, possibly actually built by Royal Enfield so this seems most likely what it is. The handlebars may just have been replaced some time in the bike's life and the Sturmey three speed dates from mid thirties but I would guess that the rest of the cycle is early twenties.

Some folks would restore it in this condition but I plan to oily rag and service. It's pretty much rideable as is, but lacks pedals. 

If anyone out there can recognise the manufacturer please do let me know.

Mid twenties girder frame cycle. 28 inch wheels.

Offside view.

The mudguards are very distinctive and may
give a clue for identification?

I like rust and this is a good coating of it. No structural
damage at all just a good patina.

Here's that all important girder. The chainwheel seems to be
generic and doesn't give any clues as to marque.

I'll even leave the period bodges in place if they work!

Perhaps the lamp bracket holds the key to identity?

Royal Enfield advert from Cycling Magazine 1913

Advertising proof for Royal Enfield bicycles from Cycling Magazine August 5 1913.

1913 Royal Enfield bicycle advert.

Royal Enfield Advertising Proof 1913

Another Royal Enfield advertising proof. This one from the British Trade Journal in 1913.

1913 Royal Enfield bicycle advert.

Royal Enfield Advert 1913

An advertising proof for Royal Enfield bicycles from 1913. Interesting to sell a bicycle on the basis of the pleasant surroundings of the factory it was made in!

1913 Royal Enfield advertising proof.