One Way To Get There!

THE Edward Joneses and their year-old baby made the 1,591 mile trip from Chicago to Miami, Fla., in perfect comfort—so they say—in this strange vehicle. It is a dual bicycle joined by a welded frame.

view additional pages

IT’S NEW!

HYDROFOILS in kit form are easily installed on almost all outboard craft from 12 to 16 feet Safe, smooth, they literally make boat fly. Atlantic Hydrofin, Miami. Fla.

GROWING UP LAMP’S base has yardstick with spaces for marking date, weight, height of little Oscar, who likes to see how much he “growed.” Device was exhibited in Chicago.

SLIT SPECS, originated by the Eskimos, are considered the most on Canadian ski slopes these days. Glassless, slits guard against sun’s glare. This pair costs $20.

ONE-MAN HELICOPTER developed by Goodyear Aircraft Corp. and designed by Paul Ziegler, weighs slightly over 400 pounds and is capable of more than 60-mph.

ROCKING BED equipped with bellows is tested as possible replacement lor iron lung in Chicago trial. Rhythmic see-saw action of bed acts on bellows, supplies oxygen.

BICYCLE CART made from two standard bikes is going over big in Brunswick, Germany. Assembled in five minutes, it totes two. tot, luggage. Frame costs $15 to $20.

GOGGLE-EYED flight suit will protect its wearer for 80 hours at 100.000-foot altitude, according to University of Illinois tests made for the Toronto. Canada, manufacturers.

MOTORIZED RICKSHAW

RIDING around on a genuine Shanghai-manufactured rickshaw is Buster Mattingly’s Chinese cup of tea. The Louisville, Ky. owner bought it from an Army officer and set about fixing it up. He installed a new convertible leather top, chromed the metal parts, put in a Clinton gasoline engine which is supported by a small steel mount welded to the bicycle frame and painted it a pale green.

“I’ve clocked it at 33 mph,” says Mattingly. “That won’t set any speed records but I get a whale of a kick out of driving it.”

Mattingly runs a moving and storage firm and puts his rickshaw in a vanette when he goes on a trip. “No matter where we’re visiting, it always comes in handy,” he says.

The rig cost about $300 with improvements and gets about 85 mpg.

view additional pages

STREET SCENE, TOKYO STYLE

By Elliot H. McCleary

TRAFFIC IN TOKYO, the world’s largest city (population: 10 million), is, to put it mildly, dense, wild, fast, and furious.

The very diversity of vehicles, as well as their number, is startling. There are automobiles of varying shapes and sizes— Japanese, French, German, an occasional, looming Chevy or Plymouth.

Coveys of goggled motorcyclists thunder their motors at intersections, roar away in blue smoke when the light changes. There are three-wheeled trucks guided inside by handle bars. There are sleek cabs dashing in and out of openings in the traffic, scattering the pedestrians who stream in thousands across intersections, or walk right in the street in the majority of byways which have no sidewalks.

To add to the confusion and excitement of Tokyo driving (which, by the way, proceeds down the left side of the street) there are messengers on bicycles wheeling in and around the cars, laundrymen with huge bundles behind them, repairmen with ladders and tools mounted on bicycle sidecars and trailers, and white-capped restaurant delivery boys—some balancing trays on which are bowls of fish, rice or fuming tea.

All this activity is more amazing when you consider that cars are a luxury in a land where the average workman makes less than $100 a month. Also the Japanese auto industry turns out less than 500,000 four-wheeled motor vehicles a year and less than 200,000 of these are passenger cars. But Tokyo alone has 400,000 cars and trucks on its streets, with 3000 being added every month.

Traffic is further congested by the national output of a million and a half motor bikes and mtorcycles and 300,000 three-wheelers a year. The city government cannot keep up with the demand for better streets and more sidewalks which are desperately needed to curb the rate of 14,000 accidents per year.

Something will have to be done, muse the city fathers while they appropriate more money for traffic policemen, street lights, and an expressway.

But like their counterparts in the United States, they may be unable to solve a modern mystery: Why does a mild-mannered average man suddenly become an avenging warrior when he gets behind the wheel of his Datsun?

New Bike Seat Adjusted En Route by Handle Bar Lever

USING a new bicycle saddle which was recently displayed at the International Exhibition of Inventions in London, cyclists can now raise or lower their seats while on the move. This change of altitude is achieved by simply operating a hand lever attached to the handle bars, as shown in the photo at the right. The lever in turn operates a small pump which supplies compressed air to the cylinder formed by the bicycle frame.

New-Style Bike Frame Gives Floating Ride

Floating on a separately sprung unit containing the seat and pedal sprocket, the rider of a new-type bicycle negotiates bumps in the road with maximum comfort, according to the claims of the manufacturer. Pivoted to the main frame at the rear hub, the floating assembly absorbs shocks, giving an even, jarless ride. Seat and pedals are the same distance apart at all times. Further cushioning is provided at the handlebar, which is mounted in rubber to permit free flexing.

Re-Enacting a Race of the 80′s

SAN FRANCISCO society girls recently staged an old fashioned bicycle race in front of the city hall. They are shown below as they lined up at the start. In order to make the contest realistic, they delved into dust-covered attics and produced clothes that were the last word in style in the late 80′s. Six of the girls dressed like boys and the other six were attired like grandma used to look in her girlhood days.

Cast-off Shoes Make Tires for “Rough Rider” Bicycle
IF YOU don’t know what to do with your old shoes, here’s a suggestion—make bike wheels out of them. No less a unique stunt has been performed by Marie Glory, a well-known Parisian bicycling enthusiast, as the photo at left shows. The regular wheel has been dispensed with altogether, and the “shoe wheel” substituted.

Each shoe is fitted over a form, which is in turn attached to the ends of a spoke, of which there are six on each wheel. Although these bike wheels are the last word in novelty, it cannot be said that they are the last word in comfortable riding. The inventor, however, enjoys the sport.

Inventor Makes Propeller-Driven Tricycle

A THREE-WHEELED vehicle constructed of airplane parts and powered by a two-cylinder motor and small propeller has been designed by John Dacy, a young inventor of Zion City, Ill.

The rear part of the machine consists of an airplane landing gear on which is mounted the motor and propeller. In front of this is the pilot’s seat, suspended from a frame of steel tubing. The lone front wheel is connected by chain and wire to the steering apparatus.

The propeller develops tremendous pushing power and gives the machine such high speed that its owner has no fear of traffic officers.

New Slant on Bicycles

EVERY man his own streamline is the idea of Fred Strecker, English rider, in the bicycle design at right.

70-YEAR OLD TOURIST CROSSES U. S. ON BICYCLE

AN ORDINARY bicycle with a special baggage support above the front wheel is the equipment used by M. C. Plummer of Portland, Maine, in touring the United States. Mr. Plummer is 70 years old but he covers from 50 to 150 miles every day on his bicycle, depending on the weather and the nature of the country to be traveled. The sack of bedding, food and clothing which he carries on his handlebars weighs 80 pounds but is so well balanced that the 70-year old tourist has no difficulty in controlling his two-wheeled automobile. Mr. Plummer recommends this system of traveling as a health builder. He does not try to cover any specified distance each day, but sleeps wherever he happens to find himself at sunset.

Low Bike Gives Added Power
WITH a seat only 19 inches from the ground making it unnecessary for the rider to leave the seat when stopping in traffic, a new type bicycle affords more safety and greater speed as well as being easier to ride. The leg muscles are supplemented by the back muscles when going up hill. The rider sits in the same position as in an automobile, thus reducing discomfort.

Bike Disguised as Motorcycle
WHAT is this younger generation coming to? When you and I were kids a bike was a bike, and lucky was the boy to get one without any trimmings whatsoever. But now look! Even the tiny tots must have a bike, and an ordinary one won’t do. It must be designed as the Graf Zeppelin, or in this case, a real motorcycle.

GEARLESS AND CHAINLESS BIKE DRIVEN BY BODY BOUNCE
Functioning on the principle of an eccentric rear wheel, the latest bicycle has neither gears nor a chain. Invented by Phil Huyseng of Chicago, the bike is propelled by a bouncing motion of the body.

Steering Wheel for Bicycles
POLO games in which the players are mounted on bikes instead of ponies is the latest sport devised for amusement of Hollywood movie stars. A unique feature of the bike mount is the ring shaped handlebars, which permit greater facility in maneuvering about the polo field.

Cyclists Maneuver Galloping Bikes in Novel Polo Match

A POLO game is seldom dull, but when galloping bicycles are substituted for the traditional steeds, the fun begins.
A polo match on bicycles was a feature of a recent cycling meet at Heme Hill, London, England.

Spills were frequent as riders literally tossed their cycles about the course in pursuit of the elusive white ball.

The elongated “croquet” mallets proved rather dangerous weapons as they were swung wildly about in the faster scrimmages. Riders chose to wear “crash” helmets just in case things should get rough.

Bike Keeps Family in Stitches

CARRYING four persons and a sewing machine, the world’s weirdest bicycle recently had a tryout in Chicago, Ill. The two-story vehicle, known as the “Goofybike,” is the creation of Charles Steinlauf. It carries the whole Steinlauf family. The inventor rides at the top and guides the contraption by means of a huge automobile steering wheel. Mrs. Steinlauf sits below, operating a sewing machine, while her son pedals behind and her daughter rides on the handlebars in front. When the odd vehicle is at rest, the projecting legs of the sewing machine prevent the lofty cycle from tipping over.

Leg Power replaces electricity in this Parisian beauty salon, where Madame has her hair dried despite the lack of coal-generated current. An ingenious beautician hires unemployed 6-day bicycle racers to peddle away on a bike, the back wheel of which is attached to a small generator! The current runs 6 driers.

ELEVEN BLIND MEN RIDE ONE BIG CYCLE

An odd-looking cycle that seemed to have some of the qualities of a railway train was seen on the roads near Upper Norwood, England, the other day. Its twelve riders pedaled along, seated in flexibly connected units of the “multicycle.” This centipede among vehicles is twenty-eight feet long, but its flexible connections enable it to turn corners easily. It was built for use by students at the Royal Normal College for the Blind. An attendant with normal vision steers it.

Watercycle
Like a strange bug, a homemade watercycle crawls across the surface of a lake or river. The weird craft was built by William Dein, an employee of the Republic Aviation Corporation. Dein purchased some surplus wing floats used on amphibious airplanes, fastened them together with a framework
and mounted part of a bicycle atop the structure. The operator pedals, and presto—the craft moves across the water.

THREE-WHEEL “BIKE” DRIVES LIKE AN AUTO

Automobile, tricycle, and bicycle features are combined in an odd vehicle recently introduced. The “driver” sits in a comfortable chair seat and propels the car by a bicycle-type sprocket gear connected with the two front wheels. The machine is steered by the single rear wheel, turned by means of an automobile-type steering gear.

RIDE A RANGER ALL THE YEAR ‘ROUND

30 Days’ Free Trial

See for yourself the values found in Ranger bicycles with their complete equipment of accessories and extras. Send to-day for catalog and select the model you prefer. Ride it thirty days, test its speed, sturdy qualities, de luxe equipment and exclusive features. If at the end of thirty days you want to return it for any reason, send it back and you will not be out one cent.

Factory-to-Rider When you buy a Ranger you are dealing direct with the makers at Factory Prices. Your “Ranger” is waiting for you. The breath of Spring is in the air. Write for our catalog to-day. When we get your order your bicycle will leave on a fast express train (all charges prepaid) packed in a waterproof paper bag and enclosed in a strong wooden crate. Safe delivery in perfect condition guaranteed.

Pay only $5 a Month If not convenient to pay cash for your “Ranger” bicycle, we will ship it to you at once and arrange with you to accept small monthly payments which will enable you to take advantage of our rock-bottom factory-to-rider cash price with only a sight amount added to cover the cost of extra bookkeeping. Parents frequently advance the initial small payment and energetic boys and girls save and earn the later small monthly payments.

5 Year Guaranty Every Mead “Ranger” is warranted for five years. This means we make good trouble arising from any defect in workmanship or material at no cost to you. Our guaranty is a written contract—we are directly responsible for the satisfaction and general performance of your bicycle because we made it.

Tires and Equipment Our big free catalog illustrates and describes parts, equipment and sundries that our more than a million riders may need. All are case-fully selected from the leading parts makers of the world, to Save You Money at Our Factory Prices.

Get this FREE Catalog We have a copy all ready for you and it will be sent as soon as we receive the coupon in the lower corner of this page. If you prefer send a postcard— only write your name and address plainly. Turning the pages of the “Ranger” catalog is like walking down the aisles of the largest and greatest of bicycle stores seeing bargains, new ideas and conveniences that you never saw or heard of before.

Send No Money Ask for the big catalog and full particulars of our Factory Prices, marvelous offers and Easy Payment terms. Read especially about our extra $5.00 FREE Premium set which goes with every “Ranger” bicycle.

MEAD CYCLE COMPANY DEPT.H-108 CHICAGO, U. S. A.

Bike Riding on Tight Wire Is Latest in Hollywood Fads
RIDING her bicycle along the popular beach at Venice, California, near Hollywood was too tame a pastime for Billie Yuill, so with Isabelle Becker to help her maintain her balance she tried out the stunt illustrated. Taking the tires off the wheels of her bike and with Isabelle in a rope swing underneath her “bike,” she rode the lifeline along the beach.

FREAK BIKE RUNS BY MOTION OF BODY

A bicycle without pedals, invented by two Chicago men, is designed to operate on body motion alone. Standing on a springy footboard, a rider propels the strange vehicle simply by raising and lowering his body. The rear wheel of the bicycle has its axle mounted off center. A down-ward thrust of the legs tends, after the bicycle has been placed in motion, to pull this axle down to its lowest position, thus causing the wheel to revolve in a forward direction. Momentum returns the axle to its highest position and the procedure is repeated. The up and down flexing of the footboard, once the rider gets the knack, can be coordinated with the movement of the rear axle to make operation easier. After a little practice, the inventors claim, a rider can make fifteen miles an hour. The exercise is said to be very beneficial to health.

Grindstone Attached to Bicycle

A man who makes a living grinding scissors, knives, etc., in the vicinity of Moreton, Cheshire, England has fitted his bicycle with a small grinding wheel, in accordance with the illustrations and description here given. For those who would like to go into this business, we outline the details. Two ordinary strips of iron, about 1″ wide and 1/8″ thick, are drilled to accommodate three bolts and a bicycle hub axle. By means of a bolt, the iron strips are fastened together at one end, and the strips spread by hand; a small piece of iron pipe is then dropped down close to the bend, and the strips are again squeezed together, first by hand and later with the vise. This forms a clamp for the bottom of the bicycle frame. The top cross-bar is properly located, and the iron bent around it in a similar way.

The grindstone is now fitted to a bicycle wheel hub (the flange being first cut off); a pully wheel is attached and, except for the drive, the job is complete. The simplest drive is an ordinary wooden baby-buggy wheel, from which the rubber tire and spokes have been removed. This is attached to the spokes of the rear wheel by small brass lugs, as shown. The brass lugs are made in pairs; six pairs will be enough for mounting the wooden wheel. They measure 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ for those that are to be attached to the rim and 3/4″ square for those to be used as clips. These are drilled to take 8-32 bolts in a slip fit; the holes being drilled through one clip and lug at the same time. Two small holes are also drilled in the lug, and the lug is then mortised into the rim and screwed fast to it.

Landlubbers Hoist Their Sails and Go Yachting on Bikes
Boats are nice, but not necessary for a sailing trip. Right in Miami, Fla., a city of yachtsmen, two youths who had bicycles but no boats hoisted their sails over the bikes and let the trade winds haul them down the drive.

Bike Racer Hits 100 m.p.h. To Set New World’s Record

ANEW world’s record was established in Los Angeles recently when Frank Bartell, veteran six-day bike racer, pedaling behind a streamlined windshield fastened to the rear of a fast-traveling car, skimmed over a one-mile course at an average speed of 80.5 m. p. h. Beating the previous record by more than four miles, 33-year-old Bartell was confident that he soon would surpass his present time.

The mile straightaway course was laid out on a concrete boulevard. Both auto and cylist passed over the finish line at 90 m. p. h. and were said to be doing 100 m.p. h. before they slowed down.

Speed Bike Has Natural Airlines

NATURAL streamlining is accomplished in a new type of bicycle designed in England for use on the speedways. Aware of the discomfort suffered by racers who must remain humped up over their machines for long periods to reduce air resistance, the designer has placed the drive pedals behind the rear wheel. The handlebars are lowered almost to the level of the front axle.

In this posture the rider is almost horizontal to the ground and in a naturally streamlined position. It is believed the new machine will produce speeds far in excess of anything yet accomplished.

Ride Side by Side on This New “Bicycle Built for Two”

THE “bicycle built for two” of the gay nineties may become popular again. A device invented by Charles Nessom of St. Louis allows two ordinary bicycles to be coupled together so that riders can sit side by side and enjoy the ride together.

The light steel framework contains universal joints, so the two front wheels can be steered as one. Cross chains at the rear may be loosened to allow the two riders to pedal together at different elevations without danger of tipping.

Coaster brakes allow the boy friend to do all the pedalling if he wishes, while his girl enjoys the scenery. If perchance a quarrel should develop, the bicycles may be separated in a minute, and no one will have to “walk home from the buggy ride.”

The inventor claims the device represents the first practical improvement on the twin bicycle in forty years.

Builds Tiny Bikes As Hobby
BUILDING the world’s smallest bicycles is the honor claimed by A. G. Tabb, of Kidderminster, England. He has constructed several of the miniature cycles, the latest being 17 inches long and nine inches high. Many of the novel bicycles are two-seaters.