Drive-side mounting of the quick release lever was fairly common in the 1940s and 1950s. Pictures show a mixture of drive and non-drive use. Even Campagnolo's catalogs through the 1970s show the rear quick release mounted on the drive side. This may have some connection to the cambio Corsa and Paris-Roubaix shifters, which were shifted with the right hand on the drive side of the bike.
Aldo Ross
Middletown, Ohio, USA
> At 07:49 PM 14/04/2007 -0400, Aldo Ross wrote:
>
>>Note the disabled Huret
>>"Louison Bobet" derailleur, and Campagnolo rear quick release lever
>>mounted on the drive side. Bottom photo shows Bobet near the finish,
>>derailleur shifted to the smallest cog and chain hanging loose behind
>>the chainring. Did the broken chain tensioner cost Bobet victory? From
>>"But et Club - Le Miroir des Sport" No.344, 7 April 1952.
>>
>>http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/aldoross/pd/bobetwire.JPG.html
>
> Just curious about the rear wheel with the QR lever on the drive side. Was
> that a common practice back then? THe only adavantage I can see is that a
> mechanic would use the right hand to close the lever whether mounting the
> front or rear wheel.
>
> John Betmanis
> Woodstock, Ontario
> Canada