The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26

been kicking az 10 the enormous price
charged by reparers for repairs.
\ proposition has been made recently
by bicycle riders TO several agents and
manufacturers OF bicycles. that the manu-
facturers get together in a convention ana
agree TO reduce numerous parts OF their
different machines to standard proper
tons
As II Is. the number OF bicycle makers
increases constantly, while each maker
fixes sizes for every part and htung WITH
out regard TO what any other maker mas
done. and finally the unfortunate owner
Of bicycle who may have lost or broken
some part OF his machine. no matter how
insignificant. cannot get perfect repairs
unless he secures duplicate part from
the factory OF the original maker.
a generation ago similar state OF
things existed IN the manufacture and
use OF farm implements. such as mowers.
rcapers forks ploughs. cultivators, and
threshing machines. The same was true
also regarding wagon hardware and Of
machine work. II the simplest bolt broke
or even nut was lost there was only
one OF two things to be donc-go TO a
blacksmith and get him 10 make a more
or less imperfect substitute or send 10
the maker OF the machine for a dupl-
cate The absurdity Of this finally brought
about conventions OF manufacturers. who
agreed upon standard sizes for many
things. such as threads for nuts and
bolts. and to-day any hardware store can
supply many OF these parts which tit
dozens Of machines.
TOO MANY SIZES.
The same action IS asked from the BIZ
cycle manufacturers. The makers have
not paid any attention 10 the matter here
tofore. even to the extent of saving in
the number of sizes Of parts on any sin
gle machine. Looking over almost any
bicycle in the market a person will find.
perhaps. half dozen sizes Of nuts and
threads. each requiring a change Of
wrench to ht IL. when one-half of the
number would have been just as good.
Comparing different makes Of machines.
"a man finds upon each some parts which
are 10 all intents identical. except that.
because OF a lack Of standard, a nut
taken from one machine viii not TT the
same part Of another nor would the part
taf zen from one machine ut in place Of
the part taken from another.
In some respects the fnakers have been
obliged already to agree upon standard
sizes or parts, such as rims and tires.
There is 10 reason why a similar agree
mcnt should not be reached regarding the
fittings Of almost every part. so that any
repair shop. supplied with a reasonable
quantity of standard repair parts. should
bc able TO put any make OF machine I'm
order at short notice.
SPARKS.
An unused church is the last buildin,.
to be used as a bicycle academy. There
are few vacant halls in New York that
have not been put to this use. The out
lay OF capital required is very small, and
the risk involved I'm becoming the man
ager of an academy is not very great.
The halls are usually rented for a time
when they would not otherwise be engag-
ed and the prices asked are low, while
there is sufficient rivalry among the BIZ
cycle companies TO make II possible for
man 10 get hold OF enough wheels to
commence operations without great out
lay.
An important element to the comfort
OF a rider Is a good lubncating oil. So
many Of the oils sold are heavy, dark
and gum so readily that the bearings be-
come gritty and dirty An oil should
make the balls roll easily. not slide
against one another. II is better that the
oil used be very light in weight. as well
as i'm color, and very little should be used
at "a time. not over two or three drops
and tolerably frequent
There is always great satisfaction for
one 10 know how far he has travelled on
each particular ride. or at the end Of the
wear to know The number Of miles he
has covered altogether The cyclometers
this year viii enable one 10 keep an ac-
curate record without recourse 20 making
memoranda. for they will nearly all re-
gister ten thousand miles before repeat
ing instead of one thousand. as hitherto
Wi In q
and as small as it seems possible to get
them.
twenty-five million dollars is the amount
of money invested in the manufacture
OF bicycles and bicycle appurtenances i'm
the United States. That is the estimate
of men who have long been engaged i'm
the business and who spend considerable
time in collecting the figures.
AN EARLY MORNING SPIN.
When the chamber clock is striking off
the rosy hour of five
Not the hour when a horseman would be
dressing for a drive
Then my bicycle is ready for the business
20 begin.
And I'm starting 10 the country for an
early morning spin.
IL you're feeling blue and thin.
Try an early morning spin
When the days are long and sultry, it's
the way 10 start EN- in.
There's a joyful inspiration in the per-
fume-laden air.
And the lovely face Of nature never seems
10 Doe so fair
II you scan the sky you understand "the
realm without sin"
The Lord has weaker agents than the
early morning spin
O, the early morning spin
O, the early morning spin
There's no limit to the benefits it helps
a man 10 win.
When winter lends the shiverng earth
robe of shining snow.
l smoke and cream before the hearth.
where cracking .mbcrs glow:
And all my dreams are happy dreams OF
pleasures that have been
What times ] sought the country for an
early morning spin.
o, the early morning spin
o. the early morning spin
IL Is there alone with nature that we
learn all men are kin.
A WHEELER.