(We did not write the comments which accompany each picture - Vinny)
Bicycle Type: Safety
C1916 SOMME BICYCLE MARKETED AND ASSEMBLED IN TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON NEW ZEALAND BY J.S.HOPKINS LIMITED. FRAME AND PARTS APEAR TO HAVE BEEN IMPORTED IN GLOSS BLACK FINSIH THEN REPAINTED IN NEW ZEALAND AND FINE PINSTRIPED IN SILVER. FINISH IS SOLID BRUSH APPLIED ATLANTIC BLUE /TEAL SIMILAR TO EARLY JAGUAR XJS COLOUR WITH A 1/32 SILVER FINE PIN STRIPE APPLIED IN RECTANGULAR FORMAT ON MOST TUBULAR SECTIONS OF THE FRAME. THE BLUE/TEAL FINISH COATS SEEM TO HAVE BEEN APPLIED WITHOUT ANY UNDERCOAT PLATING ON THE ORIGINAL PARTS IS NICKEL. BOTH WHEELS AND REAR MUDGUARD ARE LATER ADDITUIONS. THE ORIGINALS WERE RECOVERED FROM THE OLD TEMUKA FARM LATER.DECALS MADE IN NEW ZEALAND. ON THE FRONT DOWNTUBE IS A DECAL IN ITALICS "SPEED." IF IT HAD A 28" BACK TUBE I COULD RIDE IT AROUND. RECOVERED FROM AN ESTATE IN THE TEMUKA FOOTHILLS OF SOUTH CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND. IT HAD BEEN HANGING IN SHED FOR GENERATIONS OF ONE FAMILY WHO MOVED ON THEN IT HUNG THERE FOR THE LIFE OF THE NEXT OWNERS. SORRY I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED ANY MEASUREMENTS OR HUB ASSIGNATIONS. THE ORIGINAL HUBS ON THE OTHER WHEELS RECOVERED APPEAR TO BE NICKEL PLATED. THE REAR BEING A COASTER BRAKE HUB. ONE BRAKE LEVER FOR THE FRONT. MORE PICTURES OF THE BICYCLE CAN BE SEEN HERE ON FLICKR. HTTP://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/37120492@N06/3416957398/SIZES/L/IN/PHOTOSTREAM/ I DO NOT WISH TO TOTALLY RESTORE IT AS IT WOULD RUIN ITS AUTHENTICITY AND INTEGRITY. I INTEND PAINTING THE ORIGINAL RIMS SATIN OR GLOSS BLACK AND TOUCH UP THE BLUE PORTIONS OF THE FRAME AND PIN STRIPING. THE BICYCLE WAS PURCHASED FROM TRADE ME A NEW ZEALAND ONLINE AUCTION SITE IN FEBRUARY 2009. I HAVE DONE NOHTING TO IT EXCEPT HIGHLIGHT THE COLOURS WITH SOME SPRAY I HAVE FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC REALISM.
