Messages

16

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: Bottom bracket design

« on: December 08, 2018, 03:34:22 PM »

Not sure of the meaning of clenched bottom brackets, but if it is the cotter end cranks, or bolted style, the one piece crank design came in shortly after 1900, as a general rule. Narrow bottom brackets, that the one piece crank could be installed through, with a simple bearing adjustment system were faster and cheaper to build. The pinned cranks have never completely disappeared, nor have the splined with nuts. There have been hundreds of crank and bearing designs over the years, with varying levels of success!

17

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: what happened to our club?

« on: December 08, 2018, 03:18:26 PM »

Craig, sorry, I was addressing two separate problems, both related to the issues of the club. I blame the Internet for many of the attendance and activity problems. In the past, when I joined in 1992, the way to exchange information on bikes was to go to a meet, show the bike off, and ask questions. Even a parade or display had people to whom questions could be asked, and  references made- I don't know the answer but Joe in Kokomo is an expert on that brand and he can help! Now, instead of getting out and going to meet people, all they do is get on the computer and zip, they have the answer. Photos are exchanged, and as on this website, dozens of people can offer advice! Just a modern fact of life! I have no idea how to motivate people to get out and participate. There are also so many extra activities that youngsters are involved in on a daily basis, and they "can't" miss one of them to go to a bike activity! This means the parents or grandparents might miss little Susie, or  Johnny in their big moment in sports, dancing or whatever! So mom, dad, granny, and grandpa won't show up either! No easy answer! And upcoming generations seem even less interested in bikes, cars to haul bikes etc. Judging from posts from other countries, the high wheel and antique bike riding seems to be growing.

18

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: what happened to our club?

« on: December 03, 2018, 10:12:33 PM »

The wheelmen in my state, Indiana, where I have been state captain for two years have been very hard to get to do anything or to attend any function. This past weekend was the first time in over two years that any have showed up at a display or demo. In 2016, my wife was state captain, and, because it was the state bicentennial we had lots of requests to go places. After the first three, nobody showed up the rest of the year. We put over 3000 miles on my car and trailer instate, going to the events. We earned enough money to buy two pop up tents, make a $1000.00 donation to national, and still have a little in the bank. I am resigning as state captain as of January 1st, and despite several emails, no one has offed to take over. If there is no response, the national commander will have to find someone to do the job. I have always tried to be friendly and helpful within the group, but at this point, I give up! It just isn't worth it. June and I are still undecided as to our further membership in the group. She has been the costume chairman, and had been working on revising the costume bulletin for a good while. She was pushed hard all this past spring and summer to get it done, and then it wasn't posted until I got fed up and really pushed those in charge to do so! It's up now, not that anyone ever reads it!

 How many of you know how the leaders of the group are actually elected? It turns out, the most recent past commander is supposed to get nominees for vice commander, who present resumes for consideration, and then all the past national commanders are the only ones who really get to vote on who gets the job. This year, there were nine past commanders, which means they go back 18 years? How many are still active, know the nominee, and their qualifications? Are all nine even voting? Then that person is voted in at the business meeting at the national meet. Now I think that someone might be able to be nominated from the floor, but it never happens, and I don't remember it even being offered. The rest of the offices are hand picked by those in power as well. It would seem more correct for the past commanders/executive board to present two or  more candidates to the voting members  at the business meeting, and let them chose. That would take a change of the rules and would have to be proposed one year, and voted on the next.

19

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: Wanted a Photo or Illustration of a New Departure Bell Display

« on: December 03, 2018, 09:26:45 PM »

If you can get ahold of Ed Berry, he has one and in the past, before he was kicked off the website, he shared photos. He is on Facebook.

20

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: Bulletin updates

« on: October 14, 2018, 01:01:38 PM »

Thank you Mark for getting the updated bulletins posted! I appreciate all your work! Bill Dizer

21

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: The patient is getting BETTER!!!!!

« on: October 11, 2018, 07:13:06 AM »

Too little, too late! I rarely even look at this web site any more!

22

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: Be nice.

« on: September 06, 2018, 01:13:19 AM »

Sometimes people/new wheelmen make it pretty hard! I tried twice to sell a complete rideable rare size pneumatic safety for about half what it would have brought on eBay, and buyers acted like I was trying to gouge them, rob them blind! It has a rare hub on it that is worth half what I was asking, and I tried to explain that but was ignored! I took it off the market! They need to educate themselves a good bit about bike brands, quality of brands, rarity, values etc! I have about thirty bikes, including high wheels, high wheel trike, hard and cushion tire safeties, pneumatics and a good bit of memorabilia! I try to rotate my display bikes, and demo bikes, and I can haul up to six in my trailer without any dis-assembly. I try to share my bikes if someone needs one at a meet. Bill Dizer

23

General discussions on Wheelmen topics. / Re: Wheelmen recreate machines AND outfits

« on: September 03, 2018, 10:12:25 PM »

June has redone the costume bulletin, and the state uniform guide. The bulletin has a pattern to make ties, pretty simple to sew. All we have to do is get the powers at be to actually update the current listings. She had them done  before the national meet.