Hello everyone,
Just a quickie I have been chatting off list to a few lads about
Selbachs and one of these kind gentleman sent me a photocopy of a 1932
Selbach brochure. Many thanks it was greatly appreciated. In this
wonderful glimpse of the past I noticed something I had missed before,
on page 20 there is a wonderful picture of Toni Merkens and Albert
Richter (see Toni T's post) on a Selbach tandem. The picture was taken
in 1932 at Herne Hill track London what I've never noticed before was
the curved stokers seat tube on the tandem. This is probably because I
have never seen a decent reproduction of this photograph. Has anyone got
this photograph?
Now when I first started riding in the late 50's/early 60's it was
common gossip amongst the cycling old timers that Mrs.Selbach always
accused Claud Butler's of pinching her husbands USWB tandem design. Was
this true or just idle club gossip that became legend? There certainly
seems to be something in this story as the picture clarly shows.
The old hands always said that Maurice Selbach and Claud Butler both
learned their trade from Albert(Pop Hodge when he had his shop in Seven
Sisters perhaps the design even originated with him. Pop Hodge was a
very good builder in his day and was very innovative, Dave Moulton
started out with him and what a wonderful builder he is.
Could one of the more expert contributers comment on this and has anyone
got a good picture of that Selbach tandem.
Finally if anyone wants a Merkens expander bolt stem for restoration I
have one for £35.00 includes air postage.
--
Michael Francis Butler
michaelbutler@fastmail.fm