Blog

  • Rear hub and brake components

    1911 single rear hub. Wow, 105 years have been kind to this machine! I feel like a jeweler working on this hub. I’ll be getting new ball bearings and reassemble. I couldn’t be happier!

  • Rear wheel coming off 

    While the front end is still soaking in Kroil, I need to keep moving forward. So the rear wheel is next to come off. Here one fastener is removed after some heat and Kroil:


    All fasteners came off just fine, wheel removed, and the inner hub bearings and brake components could be removed. Pristine condition after 105 years! This bike utilizes a Musselman brake system.  


    Next steps will be to clean all hub components and replace the ball bearings. Then a new rim, spokes, and wooden belt pulley. 

  • And so it goes! 

    Slow steady progress. Here is one of the rear axle adjusters after a while soaking in Kroil. Once it moves a bit, more Kroil and let it sit another day. Rear wheel coming off next. ​​​

  • Handlebars 

    Time to put some effort to removing handlebars. A lot of rust to be concerned with. Middle stem nut and both fork stud spring pre-load nuts removed. Now Kroil, time, some heat, patience, and a little force will be needed. More to follow. 

  • Spinning and truing

    Well my new wheel truing stand showed up last night. Now I can true my front rim! Soon I will have a complete new front wheel assembly! 

  • Front wheel update 

    Slow and steady progress. Wheel is laced and now ready for bearing pack. Next step will be truing the wheel. 

  • Laced! 

    New front rim is now laced up with new stainless spokes and dull nickel finish hub. Have to true it then install tube and tire. Slow and steady progress. 

  • Spoking

    Well after a long time away from this blog I thought I’d at least post something! Finally dove into respoking my new front rim. Step one here is to spoke the hub. Next will be aligning to rim.

  • Excelsior and Frank Lloyd Wright

    Here is an interesting LINK to a connection between Excelsior Supply Company and Frank Lloyd Wright. Enjoy the article.