This is a British Higgins path racer, built in 1950. It measures out at circe 23 inches on the seattube, center to top. I acquired this from listmember Eddie Albert in the fall - cause it was too big for him. I am selling it because it I just don't like riding it. Even though the size is nominally similar to other bikes I have it seems small. The angles are circa 72 in the rear and 76 in the front, creating considerable toeclip overlap. The ride seems quite comfortable (the pencil thin stays). I would describe the steering as impulsive.
History (from Eddie Albert):
The bike was purchased in circa 1950 from Dick Power by a racer of the period named Don "cookie" Miller who, btw, I know and speak with occasionally. It was origainally purple in color. Higgins was known for fancy box linning but, according to Miller this bike NEVER had it. Perhaps because they were for export. Anyway, Miller raced the bike in the NY/NJ area. Remember the bike was bought as a frame. The bar and Stem are original and make sense because Power sold most of his bikes with Titan stuff. Wheels are from the period and actually came off a Drysdale that one the 1958 National Junior Championship and probalbly date 54 or so. The bike was painted several times but......each time Miller told me he was careful to take off the head badge and then revet it back on so it is definitely ORIGINAL! The seat and downtube decals were obtained by Miller from Higgins himself and are also period correct. I have sent Chris Hewitt (VCC Marque specialist) pics and he backs this up. This last paint job was done by Harold "Corky" Gulbransen as the down sube sticker shows. He owned a bike shop and built his own frames under the "Corky" brand. He retired and now lives in California. His son Harold was National Junior Champ as an intermediate. Corky was a friend of Dick Power and, when Dick closed up shop inherited his frame building jigs. As to Higgins himself he was, according to Hewitt, a very meticulous engineer who took up bike building quite young. His bikes were known for their excellent construction. And, as you can see, there is no flamboyance, but tasteful utility. He was know most for his racing tricycles.
Pictures at http://www.wooljersey.com/
The wheels are spokes at 36/36. Remember this bike was raced here and not in England.
I am asking $900 for the bike as shown. (tires will be decent for show but not properly glued on - and without basetape.) I am offering the bike complete as I would prefer not to part it out because of its history. (If I do part it out, I will keep the bars and stem for myself)
Free delivery to T-Town on 5 May or to Cirque. Shipping at cost. Contact me with any questions.
Ken Sanford
Kensington, MD