Some twenty-five years ago I rode next to this bicycle in a Wheelmen century. The rule at that time insisted that our bicycles be pre-1917. The rider was Carl Wiegand. I thought the full-nickel BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) was beautiful, but I knew so little of the history of geared bicycles back then that when I noticed the three-speed internal hub, as I labored up the hills on my 1897 single speed Humber roadster with wooden rims and single-tube tires, I thought Carl was "cheating" with his multiple gears. Carl was soon vindicated, however, when I learned that geared internal hubs were indeed available at the turn of the previous century.
Carl is gone now, and when his collection changed hands recently I was able to purchase this rare BSA. I have yet to identify the three-speed hub, which does not bear the typical BSA markings.
Carl is gone now, and when his collection changed hands recently I was able to purchase this rare BSA. I have yet to identify the three-speed hub, which does not bear the typical BSA markings.
1907 Full-Nickel BSA Path Racer ©Daniel Dahlquist