TRANSLATION TIINA ALESTALO In this issue, Timo Lanki tells about an odd bicycle carcass that he found on a recycling pallet and built into a stayer, a bicycle that used to be ridden in the slipstream of a preceding motorcycle in velodromes. The carcass consisted of a huge chainring and cranks, but not much else. The fork was missing, too. The chainring was of an ancient size for which no chain could be found. Such an interesting whole that had to be taken under development. A loaf of coffeebread was determined as the price. The writer has an interest in the history of stayer bikes, and here seemed to be the opportunity to restore one. The original stayer bikes were scrapped already during the First World War as bomb material, and internet supply is next to non-existent. The target was to build a bicycle out of this antique blanco with little funds but without sparing time. There is no information about the brand of the bicycle carcass, but it may be German. Perhaps someone succeeds in identifying it from the decoration of the chainring. The Germans and the French were the greatest stayer riders, which would match the assumption of its origin.
History of the stayers
Stayers should not be mixed with anything beautiful. The strangest about them is the front fork, which is turned front to back, and the attached 24-inch wheel. The bicycles that most interest the writer originate from the times before the 1920’s when they were still clumsy and underdeveloped. So the reconstruction also aimed at a clumsy, personal interpretation. The best information source for the project was Toni Theilmeier’s book about the heyday of stayer rides in the beginning of the last century plus a few internet pages with lots of photographs. Pacing behind a motorcycle was dangerous, and life was cheep. Altogether 47 riders died on the track in 30 years. Tires barely stood the speeds of 80 – 100 km per hour, and falling on the concrete caused bone fractures and bruises at the minimum, but often more fatal injuries. Young dead heroes were made legends whose reputation is noted in history books. One of the greatest legends is Elmo-like Robl, who in 1902 fell early in a six-hour ride, stood up bleeding after one minute to demand another pacer and then continued the race.
Before long he caught up with his competitors, overtook them and crossed the line first – in world-record time. These heroes were also interested in other fast vehicles such as cars and airplanes, one of which eventually became deadly for Robl, too.
Repairing the frame
Parts from various decades have been used in Timo’s project, but the aim has been to build a vehicle that credibly resembles a stayer bicycle from the first decade of the 1900’s. Most parts required redesign, mending or adjusting, because usable parts were only available from collectors from abroad, if anywhere. Yet on some days the project proceeded favorably, and so appeared the rims, straightened the frame and emerged the freewheel. A magical moment was locking the chain in place. The idea was not to use parts more recent than from the 1930’s, except for tires and spokes. The most significant finding was a handlebar which shaped the project almost as much as the frame itself. The frame was not exactly ideal by its shape, but of the right age, anyhow. Presumably it had been crashed and was slanted, but straightened by twisting with a plank. The original paint with its bruises and patina was left to tell a hundredyear-old story. It was just cleaned with a dish washer and magic sponge and finally polished. As no hint of the bicycle brand could be detected, Timo attached a German Renoma mark found on German eBay pages. A non-decorous round-shouldered fork needed to be found, so a 1930’s women’s 26-inch bicycle fork was chosen. Paint was removed and polished, as well as the chrome plating. Additionally, the fork was reshaped by removing its fender holders. Because of the short crown of the fork, the head tube needed to be cut with a hacksaw. The fork in a stayer bicycle is turned, so the rider can get closer to the preceding motorcycle. That’s why only a 24-inch wheel was small enough not to hit the down tube of the frame. The turned fork also stabilizes steering. A handlebar originating from some old basic bicycle was just the right shape when turned upside down. Its nickel plating had rusted, and after removing the rust it was only polished. An English Major Taylor type Ron Kit was chosen as the headset; this was cleaned from rust likewise. The headset has adjustment space
SUMMARIES
for a 50 to 135 mm handlebar and resembles a seat post. The stayer bicycle was ridden in a relatively upright position, as there was no need for the rider to lean deep down thanks to the slipstream.
Drive-side renovation
Taking care of the bottom bracket and cranksets is exciting because you never know whether the bolts open up and in which direction. Everything worked out quite nicely, however, after reasonable instructions had been found. The bearing cups and cones where in good shape. The chainring called for a sparse, 5/8inch antique chain. The ring has 46 teeth but size-wise corresponds to a present-day 61-inch ring. After several mispurchases a usable 16-inch freewheel was also found. An unused Union chain in its original wrapping was found – not surprisingly in Germany. A pair from the English brand Phillips was accepted as cranks; the finer ones were considered too expensive with regard to the price level of the project. Toe clips were formed from fender holders to match the style. They became identical, too. Steel rims were found from recycling, then cleaned and painted. Leather rim ribbons with punched holes were attached to the rims to fix spokes. A 1930’s Torpedo with a brake was chosen as the rear hub as it is safe to ride on the streets as well. Also the front hub is F&S’s production. The rims have been spoked with old, patinated spokes in a ‘three-cross’ pattern. The spoke surfaces were rejuvenated by light polishing and Vaseline. An appropriate pair of gray tires was found at the recycling, too. The tires do not quite match the right decade, yet have been ridden adequately smooth. A Pryma leather seat was found on the French eBay. This finding was worth the risk: it was in good form and had an antique air about it. Modeling with old photographs, the seat was installed tilting backwards, which keeps the rider in place in tight turns. The seat also needed to be placed closer to the front, which meant that the seat post had to allow horizontal adjustment. This type of a seat also requires a front support, for which purpose various setups starting from a wooden peg and wire have been used. In this project, the support was made of a brass pipe. When all parts were ready, the bicycle was assembled and adjustments tested. A recently started riding practice promises fast but safe cycling. Pikajalka 25
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