This custom project started as a frame, so it gave me free rein to design it as I wanted. I took my time and over the years I found a new-old-stock Dial-Your-Ride fork for it, a set of Moon Discs from Mooneyes in Los Angeles and some French hammered mudguards.
1939 Monark Silver King 26X Custom (Restored)
21″ Frame
26″ Wheels
Dial-Your-Ride front fork
‘Moon Disc’ wheel covers
Lefol hammered aluminium mudguards
Chrome 1930s plunger horn
Arliguie Devil chainguard & Cock-a-Snook mudguard emblem
1890s (repro) ‘Wheeler’ saddle
(Now sold)
DIAL-YOUR-RIDE FRONT FORK
The Huffman Dial-Your-Ride bicycle sported a front fork that was bigger than any other bicycle on the road. In an era when bicycle designers were becoming increasingly adventurous with their front forks – a selling point that could make or break a bicycle – Huffman designers hit upon an ingenious reason for creating the largest fork.
You could turn the dial on the top of the fork to vary the front suspension, with a choice of four different settings. In other words, you could ‘dial your ride.’
Whether it made much difference to the quality of your ride was besides the point.
…The point was that every other kid would want to dial your ride.
Heavy Rider? Dial-Your-Ride!
Tighten spring for less road shock
Riding light? Dial-Your-Ride!
Loosen spring and glide without vibration.
Smooth roads? Dial-Your-Ride!
Adjust spring for more speed, more comfort.
Hitting bumps? Dial-Your-Ride!
Set spring for a looser, shock-absorbing, gliding ride.