[CR]Very Rare Higgins Tandem on Ebay

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

From: "Norris Lockley" <norris@norrislockley.wanadoo.co.uk>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2005 01:19:43 +0100
Subject: [CR]Very Rare Higgins Tandem on Ebay

There must be something in the air these days..maybe all the tandem couples are falling out about who's steering. Hard on the heels of the lovely Hobbs of Barbicon (Duncan Granger got it I think), a very pleasant 40s Claude Butler, three superb tandems on French Ebay ( all were sold very cheaply), the PARIS now on UK Ebay..now we have a very rare beast.. a 1952 HIGGINS ULTRALITE short wheel base model.

I know the seller from the act that about two years ago I turned down the opportunity to buy his 22" fully renovated Hetchins 7-Day Super Special bike for the princely sum of £400. a few months later I telephoned him again but the bike had been sold "..to mobe iy along " for £250. It probably cost him that for the respray.

Upshot of this conversation was that he offered me his Higgins tandem that he had had renovated in the same style as the Hetchins..and I think he claims to have obtained the last set of Higgins' 531 transfers. The tandem was completely rebuilt in the hope that his son would race it with him. Obviously his son has other ideas.

Maybe a year or so ago I mentioned this tandem on the List... so any information might be in the archive.

As you will note from the photos Item N07161916242 -the curved seat tube is not tubing at all but a special reinforced shallow "U" shaped device. These tandems are VERY rare.. I have one in a much smaller sixe than the Ebay one.. and I think that in 50 years I have only seen one other. My tandem really is short wheel base... very dramatic... and assume that this one be much the same.

I have a collection of photos of this machine that the owner sent me.. it really is in tip-top condition.

Norris Lockley...Settle UK