1900 Singer ‘Modele de Luxe’ Ladies
with with Doolittle automatic Band brake
and First Pattern front rim brake
23″ Frame
28″ Wheels
Frame No 155169 28
(Now sold)
This is a remarkable discovery, having been dry stored for many decades in completely original unrestored condition until it saw the light of day again this year.
Unfortunately I do not have access to much of the 1900 Singer catalogue, but the frame number and its style of brakes confirm it to be from 1900. This 1st pattern rim brake was only used for one year.
It is very well preserved, with excellent nickel on the rims, handlebar, front brake, chainset and fork top and fork ends. The saddle that was on it was wrong, so I fitted a correct Brooks saddle that is intact and in good (though not perfect) condition. The ‘four bar’ pedals say ‘Singer’ on several of the rubbers. The hubs are a bit tarnished but would polish up. I have not pumped up the tyres – an original ‘North Road’ on the front and one from the 1920s on the rear. One handlebar grip is missing and the other is very worn. (I have replacements of similar style). The steering head transfer (decal) is not legible. Apart from flat tyres it is mechanically functional.
I’ve left it ‘as found’ so that its next owner will have the pleasure of cleaning it to their satisfaction. It’s not easy to buy an unmolested original ‘barn find’ bicycle from 124 years ago so I hope you enjoy seeing this machine as I got it rather than prepared for presentation.
1896 SINGER CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
SINGER PATENT FRONT RIM BRAKE
(1st Pattern)
The 1st Pattern Singer rim brake is rarely seen as it was current for such a short time and, as you can see in the 1900 catalogue extract below, was offered as an option rather than a fixture. I only have a few pages from the 1900 Singer catalogue, covering their tricycles.
1900 SINGER BACK-PEDAL BAND BRAKE
The Singer band brake was more commonly found on Singer tricycles, and was only offered as an option for the bicycles for a short time, until the company started to supply rim brakes front and rear.
ABOVE: Steering lock disengaged
BELOW: Steering lock engaged
1900 SINGER CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
1900 SINGER MOTORWHEEL
Screenshot
