1950s Clown Bike. Previously owned by Jack Natirboff, the 'Bicycle Clown'

Whereas performers adapted bicycles for trick riding, clowns usually used bicycles as a prop or foil. This example, however, is a performance bicycle built by Jack Natirboff – known as ‘The Bicycle Clown’ – who died in 1985. He customised a 1950s cycle frame and parts to make it easily separable. The 24″ wheels are fitted with a set of 1880s Columbia penny farthing hubs. When the machine is separated by removal of a pin in front of the saddle, the driven Columbia hub in the rear wheel creates a 3ft high unicycle. The front end is separated with the removal of a chain adjuster holding it in place behind the steering head. I added the Hopalong Cassidy horn for the photoshoot.