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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Rumble Seat on Handle Bar for Cyclist’s Baby

When one proud father in Switzerland wants to take the baby for an airing, he fits a special rumble seat on the handle bar of his bicycle and away they go. The seat is equipped with a top to protect baby from sun or shower, but the top can be folded when desired.

New Ice-cycle Gives Cycling Thrills on Lakes in Winter

THE bicycle craze has taken its hold on devotees of winter sports, resulting in the development of the ice-cycle, which speeds over the frozen surfaces of ponds or rivers. The new ice vehicle is built from an ordinary bicycle. The front wheel is removed entirely, and the forks extended so that they almost touch the ice with the bicycle standing upright. A steel skate runner is attached to the extended front fork.

Two skate runners are similarly attached alongside the rear wheel. The cycle is pedalled as usual, the rubber tire gripping the ice. The skate runners prevent skidding, and balance can be maintained just as easily as on an ordinary bicycle.

TWO TINY WHEELS KEEP NEW BICYCLE UPRIGHT

A four-wheeled bicycle which recently made its appearance in Germany may be mounted easily, even by a beginner, and may be parked anywhere. Two small auxiliary wheels are attached by movable brackets to the frame of the cycle and are raised or lowered by moving a lever on the handle bar. So long as these wheels remain lowered, the cycle stands upright as shown above. When in motion, they are raised.

MASKED CYCLIST SOUNDS GAS-ATTACK WARNING

Sounding a loud alarm through a loudspeaker clamped to the handlebars of his bicycle, a masked rider wheeled through London streets recently, like a modern Paul Revere, to test the efficiency of a new method of warning the public against sudden aerial gas attacks in war time. Equipped with gas mask and respirator, the cyclist broadcast warnings through a microphone built into the mask and wired to the battery-operated loudspeaker.

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Building and Riding a Unicycle

Learning to ride this fugitive from the circus is becoming an increasingly popular modern day exercise

By HAROLD P. SMITH

A USED or even wrecked 20 or 24-in. bicycle will supply most of the major parts needed to make a unicycle, and you can build it for one-third the cost of a new one.

We chose 24-in. bikes for parts to build the unicycles shown in Fig. 1. If you are picking up a used or wrecked bike for parts, select one with a good front wheel fork and rear wheel. And, if possible, one having a New Departure Model D or Bendix 13 coaster brake because these types have rear wheel hubs that are identical in size and shape at both ends, a feature that simplifies the making of the axle adapters.

Converting the Wheel Hub. First remove all the coaster brake parts from the rear wheel hub and, since these parts are not needed they can be discarded. Then, with a spoke wrench obtainable at any bike shop, remove all wire spokes from wheel rim and hub. This is necessary because of the high heat the hub will be subjected to during brazing later.

To center and fasten the 5/8-in. axle to the hub, grind, file or turn down the , outer edges of four %-in. steel washers (Fig. 3) concentric with the hole to fit deeply into the bearing races of the hub. The washers and axle are to be brazed to the hub later to make up a one piece hub-axle assembly.

Fork and Axle Bearing Supports. Since there are no bicycle parts that can be used for the bearing supports welded to the ends of the fork (Fig. 2), you will have to make these from scratch. First hacksaw two 9/16-in. wide rings or collars from 1-1/2-in. black-iron pipe, and four 1-in. lengths of 1/2-in. dia. steel shafting. Grind or file a 1/16-in. deep semi-circular notch on the pieces of 1/2-in. shafting as in Fig. 4, so that they will seat against the pipe rings.

Dress the insides of the rings with a half-round file or portable hand grinder so the ball bearings can be slipped into the rings. Then remove the bearings and clamp two of the 1/2-in. shafting pieces to each ring. Back up the 1/2-in. shafting with scrap pieces of steel square stock as in Fig. 4, and be sure the pieces of 1/2-in. shafting are diametrically opposite and parallel to each other. Weld or braze the pieces of shafting to the rings.

If you are not equipped to do the welding or brazing yourself and must have it done at a local weld shop, make up all of the parts requiring welding so you can have all of it done at one time. It will be cheaper that way.

After the bearing supports are brazed, bore a hole through the center of each of the %-in. shafting pieces with a #3 drill. Then saw the bearing supports apart with a hacksaw, cutting through the 1/2-in. pieces of shafting as in Fig. 4. Make identifying centerpunch marks on the two halves of one of 1/2-in. shafting pieces on each support so that they can be reassembled exactly as they were before cutting apart. Next, redrill or open the #3 drilled holes in one side of each bearing support with a 17/64-in. drill. Tap the #3 holes in the other sides with a 1/4-28-in. tap. Use 1/4-28 x 1-in. hex-head cap screws to fasten bearing support halves together.

Since all bicycle forks are bent slightly for caster effect, your first job will be to straighten it. Clamp the fork between two soft-wood blocks in a vise and, with a length of 1 or 1-1/4-in. pipe slipped over a fork arm for leverage as in Fig. 5, carefully bend the arm straight. If you make a series of short bends, gradually moving the pipe toward the end of the fork arm, this reverse cold bending will not affect the strength of the fork. Then saw off the ends of the fork arms 12 in. from the inside center of the fork where the arms come together. This will leave about 1/2-in. clearance for a balloon tire on the 24-in. wheel.

Now clamp the bearing supports on a scrap piece of 1-5/8-in. round stock, spacing them 3 in. or the length of wheel hub apart as in Fig. 6. Butt the sawed-off ends of the fork arms to the centers of the threaded halves of the bearing supports and braze in place. Use plenty of brazing metal and build up a joint that flows smoothly to the contour of the bearing support.

Pedal Crank Arms. Since it would take quite a bit of work to adapt the one-piece crank arms on American-built bikes for use on this unicycle, we used two lefthand cranks and pedals made for English bikes. Your local bike shop or hardware store can order these for you from Chicago Cycle Supply Co., 224 N. Desplaines St., Chicago, Illinois. The cost will be about $6 for the two 5 1/2-in. crank arms, pedals and fastening keys.

The crank arms fasten to the 5/8-in. hub axle with tapered keys, so you will have to file two 3/8-in. key slots at the ends of the axle as in Fig. 3. Make these slots diametrically opposite each other. Have the crank arms on hand when filing the slots so that you can make trial assemblies to obtain a good firm fit with no play. Any loose movement of the crank arms on the axle would make it very difficult to ride the unicycle, particularly for a beginner.

The axle can now be permanently brazed to the wheel hub. Place one of the four washers, previously ground down to fit within the hub bearing races, into each end of the hub and braze in place. Then position the other two washers flush with the ends of the hub and braze. Finally, insert the axle, position so it projects equi-distant at each end of the hub and braze it to the end washers.

Reassembling the Wheel. Clamp the fork between two pieces of wood in a vise with the bearing supports up. Hang the wheel rim in the fork crotch and install the hub assembly with bearings in the bearing supports. If washers or spacers are needed to center the hub between the bearings, saw two rings from a 1/2-in. pipe and dress the insides with a file so they will slide on the 5/8-in. axle shaft. Now, replace the wire wheel spokes, loosely at first, and gradually tighten them as you true up the wheel. If you have trouble truing up the wheel, take it to your local bike shop and have it done because this is a job where experience can save a lot of time.

Saddle. Regular bike seats don’t work too well on a unicycle. Most riders prefer a deeply crotched saddle about 4-in. wide and softly padded. The saddle is mounted on a metal post that slides inside the fork stem so the saddle height can be adjusted to suit the length of the rider’s legs.

Obtain a 10-in. length of pipe or tube that will just slide into the stem on the bike fork you used, and weld a piece of flat steel to one end as in Fig. 2. Drill two 3/16-in. holes in it for fastening to the saddle later. To clamp the saddle post at any height on the fork stem, hacksaw a 1-in. long slot at the end of the stem and over this, place a bike seat-post clamp. You may have to spread the post clamp a little to make it fit.

For the saddle, cut the ends of a 12-in. length of 2 x 2-in. pine at a 45° angle and fasten the two cut-off pieces to the 12-in. piece with glue and nails as in Fig. 7. File and sand all of the corners and edges round and give it two coats of shellac. Then cut two oval-shaped pieces of 1-in. thick sponge or foam rubber as in Fig. 7, and bevel the edges. Stretch the small oval of sponge rubber across the triangular blocks on the wooden frame and fasten to ends of the 12-in. piece with rubber cement and a few roofing nails. Center the large oval-shaped piece of sponge rubber over the smaller one and fasten all around with rubber cement.

Next, cover the rubber padding with upholstery fabric, overlapping and tacking the long edges to bottom of the wooden frame first. Then fold and tuck the material at the corners under the ends and tack the ends to the bottom. Stitch the folded corners to the sides with heavy thread. Center and fasten the saddle post to the bottom of the padded saddle with two #10×1-1/4-in. rh screws.

When assembling the saddle to the fork, adjust the height of the saddle so that the distance from the top of the saddle to the pedal nearest the floor is equal to the rider’s full leg length as measured from the crotch to the foot instep.

How to Ride a Unicycle. According to Mr. Joseph J. Giallombardo, a veteran unicyclist and physical education instructor at New Trier High School, Winnetka, Illinois, the best way of becoming accustomed to the “feel”‘of being on the unicycle and to practice balance, is to hold on to a gymnasium stall bar with one hand as you rock the wheel back and forth slightly with the foot pedals. Outdoors, you could hang on to a fence or clothesline post to maintain side-to-side or lateral balance. Have the pedal crank arms in the horizontal position so the wheel can be rocked easily and instantly to maintain fore and aft balance. Place the balls of your foot, not instep, on the pedal.

The whole trick is in being able to quickly shift the wheel hub directly under the center of gravity of you the rider. Do not attempt to remain motionless. You must keep rocking the wheel back and forth to maintain balance.

To get off the unicycle gracefully, move your body weight just a little ahead of the wheel axle. Then, as one pedal nears its lowest position, step forward and down, reaching back with your hand to catch the unicycle by its saddle.

To mount the unicycle, without the aid of a fence or post, stand in back of the cycle straddling the saddle. Have the left pedal near the floor and place your left foot on it lightly. Bend forward and grasp the tire with your right hand a few inches forward of the fork. Now, using the left pedal as a step, push yourself forward and quickly place your right foot on the right pedal while moving the wheel first back and forward with your hand to keep your balance. When the crank arms reach the horizontal position, straighten up and hold your arms outspread at your sides to help maintain lateral balance. Then lunge forward, making one complete turn of the wheel, so your feet again return to the horizontal position where you can rock the wheel to regain your balance. With continued practice, you will soon find that you can make several complete turns of the wheel before rocking to regain balance.

FRENCH BICYCLE HAS SMALL FRONT WHEEL

Returning to the design of an old-fashioned bicycle, a French inventor is producing one with a small wheel in front and a large one behind. The small wheel steers, while the large one drives. Handlebars are at the rear of the cyclist. The inventor claims his machine embodies scientific principles of balance and structural design. Its rider sits in a comfortable erect position, instead of crouching, so obstructions are unlikely to throw him.

Body Sway Drives Eccentric Bicycle 15 Miles Per Hour

CALLED the simplest self-propelled vehicle in the world, a radically new type of bicycle, entirely without pedals, is driven by body motion alone.

The rear wheel of this “x-ercycle,” as it is called, is eccentric; the rider stands on a springy footboard and swings his body in rhythm with the up and down movement of the frame to produce forward motion.

After acquiring the correct rhythm of movement a rider can travel long distances comfortably at speeds as high as 15 miles an hour, according to the two Chicago brothers who are its designers.

The axle of the rear wheel is mounted some distance from the true center by using wire spokes of different lengths.

A Radio on Your Bicycle Makes Riding a Pleasure Trip

PUT a radio on your bicycle and enjoy your favorite programs while riding. The job is easily done. The full equipment is shown in the picture on the right. Attach a small radio set to a board fastened to the handle bars of the bicycle. To construct the antenna supports use bus bar or heavy wire fixed to the top of the radio set. The antenna and lead-in wire are plainly visible in the photograph. The battery supply is attached to the frame of the bicycle.

The radio equipped bicycle made its appearance in Hollywood where movie stars have made a fad of bicycle riding.

Motorized Trailer Pushes Bicycle

An itinerant knife grinder has devised a “cart-before-the-horse” rig to ease his labors on long-distance bicycle journeys. When he tires of pulling his trailer, with its motor-driven grinding machinery, he hitches the motor to the wheels and the trailer pushes him.

Fisherman Uses Water Bike for Deep-Sea Angling
Consisting of a bicycle mounted on pontoons, an odd-looking craft is being used for deep-sea fishing by Barney Fry, California sportsman. The water cycle is propelled by a paddle wheel. Its speed in rough water is about ten miles per hour.