Does anyone have a Drysdale catalog and/or information concerning the Velox "Flyer" model? The eBay seller claims that he bought it from "a very old man" who rode it in a late '30s Olympics. The last '30s Olympic games, of course, were the infamous Berlin games of 1936. The bike arrived yesterday and seems to be something Victor Frankenstein would be proud of. It's very dirty and very interesting. A no-name skip tooth chain set, an oval logo Brooks Champion B17 Narrow saddle without a rear badge or even a hint that there ever was a rear badge and the wheels... a strange (to me at any rate) hodgepodge:
Tires: 28 x 1 1/8' labeled at the valve (12 o'clock) front. On the reverse "Made in U.S.A.". At 2 o'clock front "U - 5 - U". At 3 o'clock front "Inflate to 40 Pounds". From 5 to 7 o'clock front "UNITED STATES [then a circular logo] SPECIAL RACER"
Rims: Wood, 36 hole
Spokes: 14-15 double butted tied and soldered. Not galvanized and shine nicely when cleaned. Head emblem a cross with a solid circular center.
Hubs: Three piece with 3.5" alloy flanges. Script on chromed hub is "Schwinn"!
Any and all information concerning this unlikely beast gratefully appreciated.
Martin Needleman
Annapolis, MD