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Insanity
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« Reply #25 on: October 11, 2007, 05:48:07 pm » |
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Note to self: Move to Illinois.
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Her Majesty, the King
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The Infernal Mr Adams
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« Reply #26 on: October 11, 2007, 07:25:07 pm » |
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I was enjoying one of Budweiser's new clam beers in the park and I came across a fellow who let me ride his most marvelous mad-max homemade pennyfarthing:  Is the owner that depressed guy sitting on the curb? Sad that you're having fun on his bike while he isn't, HA! What a marvelous homemade contraption, makes it seem so easily DIY. |
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Signed,
Mr. M___ E_____ Adams
Tinkerer, Adventurer, Man of Leisure, Weird Westerner, and Cad
18--
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Azander
Deck Hand
 United States
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« Reply #27 on: October 12, 2007, 01:31:54 am » |
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I've spoken with several Penny-farthing builders and riders over the past year or so and have had the chance to ride them about. The balance is very different then that of a normal bicycle and stopping is twice as scary since it's a longer way to the ground. I think it would be a fun project to put one together for riding around at local parks.
For those interested in penny-farthing, or just a fun history read, look up Thomas Stevens' book Around the World on a Bicycle. It's a book written in the late 1800s about a fellow who rides a Penny-Farthing around the world. Not the best writing but a fun read.
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Prof. Brockworth
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« Reply #29 on: October 13, 2007, 11:48:05 pm » |
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Tell her if she can play the theremin whilst riding, I'll marry her.  |
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Recovering from pennyfarthing bruises...
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Suzanne
Gunner
 Switzerland
Freshly embalmed
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« Reply #30 on: October 14, 2007, 12:51:12 am » |
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Ha! If she can wear my old corset (yes, I'm very proud of my good old Vollers© corset being on tour with the Dresden Dolls  ), hair that weights at least 165kgs and dangerous blinding eye make-up from Bahariya, then she can pretty much play the theremin whilst riding a Penny Farthing in her sleep.  |
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Prof. Brockworth
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« Reply #31 on: October 14, 2007, 11:37:00 pm » |
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...she can pretty much play the theremin whilst riding a Penny Farthing in her sleep. I would say then that she's the mounted thereminist of my dreams. Or would that be in my sleep? Can't beat a bit of Vollers steel-boning either..! And now back to your regular scheduled pennyfarthinging... |
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Johnny Payphone
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« Reply #32 on: October 17, 2007, 11:31:59 pm » |
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I wonder if anyone has been foolish enough to make a Pennyfarthing moped.
I know for sure that there were a few steam pennyfarthing models back in the day. It seems to have become more popular once the "safety" was invented, which was a pennyfarthing with the small wheel in front. But Brass Goggles actually had an entry about steam pennyfarthings:
http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?m=200609
 Probably the most popular motorized highwheel was the Star, a shiny chrome Safety. Kevin Kline's character in Wild Wild West also had a motorized steam pennyfarthing, which Burger King even made a toy of. I can't find a picture right now but I'm sure someone with more internet access could. |
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J.Wilson Esq.
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« Reply #33 on: October 18, 2007, 01:28:20 am » |
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 This is the production designer's sketch of the machine. I forget how close the final machine matched the concept. I remembered this from the Rideable Bicycle Replicas site http://hiwheel.comThey are a major maker of pennyfarthings and other bicycle esoterica. They made the wheels for the steam pennyfarthing, as well as the wheels for the Loveless Coach. The Steam Pennyfarthing didn't actually work; it had to be pulled along dolly track. And the Coach couldn't take corners. Nice looking machines, anyway. |
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A well-rounded gentleman should be capable of reading and writing both Greek and Latin, being a fair hand with most firearms and edged weapons, as well as being adequate at maintaining his own steam carriage and making his own laboratory apparatus.
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Capt. Dirigible
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« Reply #35 on: March 11, 2010, 05:33:32 pm » |
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Whoah! He was really moving on that thing! Was he going down hill? I noticed he passed a few other penny-farthing riders who weren't going as fast..and they were pedalling..he was freewheeling. |
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I say, Joe it's jolly frightening out here.
Nonsense dear boy, you should be more like me.
But look at you! You're shaking all over!
Shaking? You silly goose! I'm just doing the Watusi
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Sgt.Major Thistlewaite
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« Reply #36 on: March 12, 2010, 04:08:50 am » |
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Captain, there are no brakes, and it is direct drive...the only way to maintain any control is to make sure your feet stay on the pedals...what looks like pedaling may actually be applying resistance to keep from running away...which is what happens if you take your feet off the pedals and freewheel. One of the main reasons I've never been big on penny farthings or boneshakers..I like to have the option of brakes.
~T
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Yet well thy soul hath brooked the turning tide, with that innate, untaught philosophy,Which, be it wisdom, coldness, or deep pride, is gall and wormwood to an enemy.
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dirk_m
Deck Hand
United States
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« Reply #37 on: March 12, 2010, 05:16:25 am » |
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..into the oncoming traffic lane to boot..  |
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-= dirk =-
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Wilhelmina Frame
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« Reply #38 on: March 12, 2010, 07:01:08 am » |
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Wow. I just get scared looking at this things. I can't imagine riding one. I don't like horses for the same reason, too high from the ground. Maybe a nice shetland pony and a cruiser bike for me.
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Part Tame Lion Timer
Editrix de Mode, Steampunk Chronicle
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