Yesterday, I took a side trip while visiting family in Ohio, to drive over to Carillon Park in Dayton. If you are in the vicinity, they have a small but nice collection of vintage bikes, from the obligatory high-wheelers forward to a Mike Melton/Huffy funny bike time trial machine (SuperRecord).
The specific reason I wanted to go was to see a "Davis ßewing Machines of Dayton" triplet from about 1898. It has had a superb restoration by gentlement who live in the area. Just to note a few features: fully lugged, with 1 - 3/8" tubing. Cotterless cranks throughout, look forged. The short story is that Mel Kornbluh (Tandems East) spotted it on a GEAR rally in upstate NY, a long time ago, took me too it, and I bought it. Kept it along time, gradually acquired the needed parts (or most of them), but then decided that Ididn't have the skills or time to do it right, so I sold it to the museum. Davis Sewing Machines evolved into, or was acquired by, the Huffman/Huffy firm, and my understanding is that the Huffmans provided the funds to defray the purchase and restoration. I'm pretty sure it was a pacer: pretty tight-coupled, and about a 93" fixed gear. Would have been a hoot to ride, but tisnot to be. During the winter, volunteer docents provide guided tours of the site. There is also the last of the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shops there.
harvey sachs
mcLean va