Fine old locking front forks are very interesting indeed !
Schwinn put quite a few locking forks onto their better bicycles . It was a distinguishing feature of the Schwinn Phantoms of the 1950's ( top-of-the-line balloon-tire bicycle ) . But locking forks were optional on the best light-weights , Paramounts , Superiors , etc. , 1930's - 1950's .
And about those Raleighs - The locking front fork was one of the things that elevated a Sports , or a Tourist , up to the "Superbe" level ! ( full kit would be - fork-lock , rear rack , Dynohub lighting , full-coverage chain-case , specially fitted side-stand , better saddle , mud-flap , and perhaps bell & saddlebag too , and of course the pump was standard )
But a locking fork from the 1920's is especially interesting ! Thanks Steven !
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
> Jan wrote:
>
> Indeed, the steering lock was inserted through the back (or front) of
> the head tube (a little tube brazed on), and immobilized the steerer
> tube inside, usually at an angle. So you could roll the bike, but not
> in a straight line.
>
> "My mom's Peugeot folding (take-apart, in fact) bike with small wheels
> in the 1970s had that feature, and I remember it worked well, but
> didn't last.
>
> Another lock popular when I was a child in Germany was a bar that
> swung across the spokes on the rear wheel. The key stayed in the lock
> when it was open, so you wouldn't forget it. Unfortunately, those you
> could pry open with a screw driver. Lightweight and locks don't seem
> to go together well!"
>
> Steering locks were indeed quite popular on bikes in the 50's, 60's and
70's in Europe. As mentioned by Jan, Peugeot used them on many different
models aimed at the European market. More frequently on mixte frames. They
were however far more common in Britain than in France. Raleigh and most of
the big brands fitted bikes with 'lockable' fork crowns. Many of these also
made their way to North America in the 60's and 70's. These locks have
however been around for a long time. One of the bikes that I brought to
Trexlertown for sale, a track/road bike from the 20's has just such a
steering lock. The bike can be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/
--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ