The 49D crank on ebay features the chainring that is extensively shown in illustrations in the Alex Singer catalog from around 1948. If one was to replicate such a bike today, having this crank is a critical item. In fact, the 1952 Singer sitting in front of me wants that crank - but alas, $1,000 to get the right chainring is too rich for my blood. Considering the street value of such a bike in Japan, the crank price is precisely where it should be given its scarcity. Mike Kone, Bicycle Classics inc. in sunny but cold Boulder Colorado.
At 07:55 AM 12/13/01 +0000, Hilary Stone wrote:
>I must admit I am surprised that this chainset has gone so high but it is
>very sweet.. However it is not a straight Stronglight 49D chainset. The
>rings are some special ones whether these are made by Stronglight or someone
>else I am not certain. They do not appear to be the standard pattern
>Stronglight 49D ring but I am not really certain what an early double ring
>should look like. I have plenty of illustrations of early Stronglight 49D
>chainsets right back to 1938 - 49 in this case does not indicate year of
>introduction. Stronglight did make some special rings for at least one
>French manuafacturer, Caminargent. I have pictures of the single rings made
>for Caminargent but none of doubles and these do appear to have some similar
>characteristics.
>
>Regards
>
>Hilary Stone, its dark now at 7.30 in the morning, Bristol
>
>
>KEN TODA wrote:
>
>>
>> It is an interesting ebay auction.
>>
>> <http://ebay.com/<blah
>>
>> 1) Bikenut (Matthew Gorski) and ex-member Ken Denny are among bidders (22
>> bids).
>>
>> 2) Among those US bidder, all rest are Japanese bidders.
>>
>> 3) Seller says as of 660.00 the "Reserve Not Met", how mauch he wants???
>>
>> 4) I think those "French" parts are way overheated, what is so great about
>> this??