The Portland daily press., 1896-07-04

frame which will suit riders of varying
size. These fittings are mde by the ex-
pensive process of forging, or, in less
technical language, they are hammered
into shape while red hot with heavy and
expensive dies
These dies, of which there must be @
different one for each connection, cost
from 500 to $500 set and sometimes
more. In making these dies, even with
the greatest care, they are likely to prove
defective, owing TO the fact that it is al
most impossible to determine the exact
temper required by such solid mass of
steel.
After the forging leaves the die it is on
ly in the rough and is then passed on TO
he Shops, where 1T is milled and ma
chined till it assumes shape to fit the
tubes properly and permit of brazing.
10 convey an idea as to what the mill
ing and machine work means it is only
necessary to state that out of every six
ounces of steel used In forging only one
ounce remains in the finished part, the
remaining five ounces being chips or
waite, which. having no value, are thrown
OH the SCRAP heap.
In regard to the machinery used in a
bicycle factory, most of it is designed
and constructed especially for making
bicycles and costs many times over the
amount for which ordinary machinery
can be bought. The machines are really
models and in many instances are never
duplicated. The many changes and i'm
provaments mads on each succeeding
model of wheel require many changes
in the machines and in some cases en-
tirely new ones are ordered, those former
ly used being worthless.
Of course it naturally costs more in
proportion to build five bicycles than
1000, the same as with any other manu-
featured article. The increased COST Of
building one of any article is seen in the
sextet, machine built by Chicago
firm to seat six riders. Such machine
cost $4,000, as it was built by hand,
the fittings being of different character
to those in single machines.
Among minor details may be mention
ed the ball bearings upon which the BIZ
cycle runs. These are made from hard
ened steel, tempered and ground to an
accuracy Of at least two one thousandth
Of An inoh. The comes through which the
balls run are made with the accuracy of
the movements Of hlgh-prioed watch,
tina most delicate machinery being used.
The chain is composed of over 275 sep
TO orfe oh, 90 10 T.,
be handled separately, going through
various processes of hardening. polishing
and assembling. Each chain, after being
finished, is tested at high rate of speed
to insure strength and accuracy.
The expense is increased by the finish
ing department-nickeli enameli ng
and polishing-and again by the inspeo-
tion department., where parts are gone
over four or five times. All this labor
materially increases the cost of a bicycle,
but does not show on the surface. The
guaranty, which provides that any de-
tects shown in material or construction
not caused by misuse or neglect are
made good to the purchaser free of cost
during one year from date of purchase,
is an expensive feature, for the number
of defects which can be developed by
riders of this country are myriad, and
as machines are used over every character
of road and under all conditions it is not
surprising that defects develop, all of
which, however, are quickly made good.
The tires are an expensive part of a
wheel. as when turned out in enormous
quantities the wholesale price will aver
age about 81 a, pair. The Para gum
which enters into their composition costs
so cents pound, which is increased to
about 81. 40 after evaporation and drying
before it goen into the tire. The fabric
used costs from 80 cents to 81 a yard, to
which must be added the cost of sulphur
and other ingredients used in vulcaniz-
ing.
A large bicycle factory win require
from twelve to fifteen acres of flooring
and will employ 5000 hands III the fac
tory alone. where the pay roll will aver
age SAB, 900 week. A firm employing
1000 hands completes about $50 wheels "a
day, or, in other words, eight men are
capable of making a wheel each day.
1t would appear, therefore, that al
though the price charged for a high
grde wheel seems exor bitant. it Is really
not so, and it is doubtful whether the
much talked or high grade blcycls at $50
win be seen for some time yet. Of course
there are numerous cheap wheels on the
market that have many virtues, but un-
less you are experienced in such matters
1t will pay you better in the end to buy
wheel with reputation and reliable
firms guaranty to back it.