1927 Mead Cycle Company Ranger

On my October 7th blog I listed changes Margaret and I would like to make on the next ride. One of those changes is that I would like to be an American Picker. Here's what I wrote:

"Be an 'American Picker' - That is a great TV show. If you haven't seen it yet I suggest you take the time you watch an episode or two. You'll get hooked.

"As an 'American Picker' I plan on stopping at more junk places, bike shops, and antique shops. Just for the record, the difference between junk places and antique shops is junk places buy junk and sell junk while antique shops buy junk and sell antiques. The prices are different too.

"At these junk places, bike shops, and antique shops I plan to look for a few bikes. Bikes that are different, maybe old, used, and in such a shape that they can be restored with little or no work. After all, I have four bike racks on the roof of our Explorer. Should I not put some of them to use if the right deals come along?"

On October 24, a friend of mine, Sharon Reid, posted this comment:

"Barry, I tried posting a couple of days ago and apparently it didn't go through. I have my mom's 1927 Ranger bicycle with the original bill of sale and guarantee if you'd like it. It needs to be sanded and painted."

Tuesday night I went to Hull for two reasons: 1) to give Robert and Molly two hens for their chicken ranch and 2) to pick up the bicycle. And pick up the bike I did: 94 years old, rusty, flat tires, and complete with the original bill of sale and guarantee just as Sharon said. I told Sharon I am going to see if Mead Cycle Company will honor the guarantee! She was right on when she said, "It needs to be sanded and painted." I'm not sure what the colors were in 1927 but in 2011 they are rust and off-white, mostly rust!

Not knowing much at all about Mead Cycles, since I had never even heard of a Mead bicycle, I did some Googling and discovered that Mead Cycle Company was one of at least 68 bicycle manufacturers in Chicago at the turn of the century. Started in 1895 by James R. Mead and his son, James L., the company was producing bicycles in record numbers. An ad for sale on eBay states that Mead Cycle Company had 8,000 bicycles in stock in 1900. Now I've got, maybe, one of those 8,000 bicycles!

As I said above, "At these junk places, bike shops, and antique shops I plan to look for a few bikes. Bikes that are different, maybe old, used, and in such a shape that they can be restored with little or no work." I'm not sure about the "little or no work" part of that statement but the "different, old, and used" is right on target! I didn't even have to ride anywhere for this bike. I've still got four bike racks empty and ready on the Explorer and we haven't left home yet!

I'm not sure whether I'll restore it or not, not sure if I can, but I am sure I'll clean it up and see what's under all the dust. I'll clean and soak every part in oil and put new tires on it. I've already soaked the leather saddle in Neatsfoot oil which does a great job softening, restoring and reconditioning leather. (I learned that from the cowboys in Utah.) I'll most likely do some sanding as well. We'll see what happens after that. Who knows? Maybe you'll see a picture of someone riding the 1927 Mead Cycle Company Ranger in the days ahead.

Thank you Sharon.

Any information you may have about Mead Cycle Company would surely be appreciated.