Postby bicyclepassion » Thu Feb 18, 2016 12:41 pm
An exciting bike to lay eyes on!
Do you have any more pics? And a serial number?
I built a replica of Oppy's Fremanatle to Sydney bike some years ago, and a story about it appeared in Ride magazine, issue 36, Autumn 2007. The bike also appeared recently as one of the display bikes at the 'legends Dinner' at the Tour Down Under.
Several black and white photos of Oppy on the bike, during the ride, and at the finish, exist. All these photos show the bike in some detail. They all show a Cyclo Rosa double chainwheel, which was a purpose built double, made in the 1930's. None of the photos show a BSA chainwheel, single, or double.
Given the Trove article referred to above mentions a spare bike, this museum bike may have been the spare?
The actual bike used was a modified 'Oppy Racer', not an 'Oppy Cyclo' model. The Oppy racer had two stars in an open head tube,with feature cut top and bottom head lugs. The Oppy Cyclo had stars in the top and bottom head lugs. My replica used an Oppy Cyclo frame, as I could not locate an Oppy Racer with the osgear ends at the time. I have since found one.
The deviation from the standard 'Oppy Racer' specs included the use of Monitor Super Cam brakes, 90 degree angle fixed stem, the Cyclo Rosa double chainwheel, the fat tubular tyres, and the seat. The Oppy racer was the top of the line model, and you could basically spec it up to whatever you wanted.
Wheras the Oppy cyclo was a standard production model, with 3 speed Cylo gears. A touring bike, not a racing bike.
More details on the museum bike will be eagerly awaited here. This is the most exciting bike that has appeared on this forum for about 5 years. (for me, anyway)
Warren