A Couple of Oppy's Bikes
Bicycle on which Hubert Opperman set a world record for 100 mile motor pace riding at the Melbourne Motordrome (now Olympic Park) in April 1930. Made by the Malvern Star Cycle & Motor Co., Melbourne circa 1926.
Inscriptions: Stamped "16280" on rear right-hand axle bracket and both "16280" & "J124" on the underside of the crank axle housing. Also embossed "CHATER-LEA" on underside of crank axle housing.
Manufacturer: Malvern Star Cycle & Motor Co, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1926
User: Sir Hubert Opperman, Australia, 1930
That first Malvern Star must have more teeth and a pack of crocodiles. It looks huge next to the smaller front wheel and reverse-trailing forks.
The second one has quite a slack chain... danger - don't ride!
Nice pics Lindsay, great to see some old steel
The second one has quite a slack chain... danger - don't ride!
Nice pics Lindsay, great to see some old steel
Can you imagine doing a cadence of 90-100rpm on those things? Need legs like tree trunks.WTF
is that front chain ring for real
May not be if drafting a highly effective structure at high speed.Can you imagine doing a cadence of 90-100rpm on those things? Need legs like tree trunks.
Hmm. Lovely bikes, especially that stayer. The strut underneath the head tube is an interesting feature. I suppose it's there to stop the wheel flexing back and striking the down tube. I'm surprised it's not brandishing a Major Taylor stem though.
I assume that these are legitimately both Oppy's bikes, but they don't look the same size to me. Stem length looks markedly different too. To my eye these bikes look "staged". I can't imagine people choosing to race on the road on wooden rims, when alternatives were available.
I assume that these are legitimately both Oppy's bikes, but they don't look the same size to me. Stem length looks markedly different too. To my eye these bikes look "staged". I can't imagine people choosing to race on the road on wooden rims, when alternatives were available.
This.May not be if drafting a highly effective structure at high speed.
Also, Oppy is a certified bad-**s - even by today's standards. How good would it be to watch the greats of all generations ride together? Oppy, Merckx, Cipo, Cancellara, Nguyen....
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