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1883 Singer ‘British Challenge’ Ordinary (Australia)

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1883 Singer ‘British Challenge’ Ordinary

Double hollow forks, oval backbone

53″ Front wheel

18″ Rear wheel

Frame No 39038 / 53

(Located in Australia)

Free book ‘Bicycling Through Time’

Singer ordinaries were the world’s top machines and this example is in very good original unrestored cosmetic condition. You can see its oval backbone and Singer’s patent fluted forks front and rear. Its front wheel is a 53 inch, as listed in Singer’s specification.

It has been on display at the Farren Collection museum in Melbourne, Australia, for many years, and this is the first time it has been advertised for sale. It’s ready to ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In July 1878, Singer opened showrooms at 21 Holborn Viaduct, reputedly the first cycle showroom sited on what would become the premier shop window in the country for cycles.
At almost the same time, a new machine, the Patent Double Hollow Fork (DHF) Challenge, was introduced. It consisted of, as the name suggests, two hollow tubes on each side which acted as the forks. The two tubes were welded together, and they were claimed
to be both stronger and lighter than an equivalent solid fork machine. It was not originally a Singer development but was in fact used under licence from Hillman, Herbert and Cooper, having first appeared on that company’s own ‘Premier’ cycles.