Re: [CR]A classic middleweight; circa 1915 Mead Ranger Special

(Example: Framebuilders:Dario Pegoretti)

Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:06:20 -0500
From: "yavo" <fyavorsky@gmail.com>
To: "Morgan Fletcher" <morgan@hahaha.org>
Subject: Re: [CR]A classic middleweight; circa 1915 Mead Ranger Special
In-Reply-To: <479269E0.6020206@hahaha.org>
References: <479269E0.6020206@hahaha.org>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

Hi Morgan,Nice bike. I got one, too. Here are my early photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/fyavorsky/MeadRanger I'm planning on refurbishing mine, using the original rims (wood) and relacing the hubs with new spokes. I've already refinished one rim by removing paint, and varnishing the wood. Looks great. I bought 28" red pneumatic tires from Coker. A nice resource is the Wheelmen's site: http://www.thewheelmen.org/forum/default.asp Keep us posted on your progress. Or contact me off list if 1913 is too old for CR.

-- Fred Yavorsky Jenkintown, PA http://www.twistcomm.com/Bikes

On Jan 19, 2008 4:21 PM, Morgan Fletcher <morgan@hahaha.org> wrote:
> I recently acquired an old Mead Ranger "Special" (or maybe "Roadster").
> It's not quite lightweight, but I hope it might be of interest to you,
> and also I hope you might be able to give me some advice on it. (I
> cleared this post Dale, first.)
>
> The bike:
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/morgan/morganbikes/1915_mead_ranger/
>
> What's maybe more interesting is that I also got a 1919 Mead Catalog,
> complete with extra bits like order forms, wholesale price sheet, etc. I
> scanned it and put it here:
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/morgan/print/mead_1919/
>
> Click the medium-sized pics to see them full-sized. It's like stepping
> into a time warp! There's some fascinating stuff in there. (Even if it's
> not from Europe and not quite for lightweights as we know them.)
>
> I want to make this into a rider. I posted some questions about it here:
>
> http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=6930
>
> If any of you are of a mind to answer them, or offer advice, I'd be
> happy to hear it. Sheldon has already kindly answered some of my
> questions. Thank you, Sheldon. I hope you like the catalog scans. Ted
> Ernst, if you read this, how far off from a period racing bike might it
> be? If I added some racy (coaster brake) wheels and tires and saddle
> and drop bars, could it pass? Yes, I am a poser, but I do plan to ride it.
>
> Morgan "wannabe scorcher" Fletcher
> Oakland, CA