1920's/30's LEADER SUPERB

Here is a very early Leader, probably 1920's-30's and one of the older New Zealand race bikes in my collection.

I do have a several other frame sets of a similar vintage, but not in such original competition condition as this one.

This is from Clarke's Cycles in Auckland you can view a short write up on their history here.

 Top end BSA double fluted cranks/chainwheel with matching pedals (one missing)

  R/H drop still has one of it's original anti shock hand grips, which where quite popular at the time, and looking at photos of the roads that they raced on then, not surprising.

 Braze on seat tube chain oilier, above off, below on. These where meant to keep chain smooth running on the dusty or muddy unsealed roads of the time. 
The oil is contained in the seat tube, which has been sealed at the B/B, and then just by turning the pipe down, oil will drip onto the chain, insuring your trouble free run to victory....

 Standard star braze on ornaments, common through this period on many race bikes.

 Major Taylor with spcific light bracket fitting.

Narrow 28 inch rims with butted spokes, obviously saving weight has always been high on list for wheelmen. This machine was a well equipped and competitive mount for it's lucky owner at the time.

Nice hand painted name and high lights

The great Bill Pratney, one of New Zealand most enduring cash riders whose career spanned three decades from 1926-1957.

Notice Pratney is wearing a Leader Cycles jersey, as you will see later in this blog most early NZ frame builders had their own team jerseys. They were however mainly for pre or post publicity photo shots etc, and sadly are rarely seen in action.

This photo is from the Kennett Bros book
'Never say die" the Bill Pratney story,No 3 in their 'New Zealand Cycling Legend' series.
These guys are NZ's foremost cycle historians, check out their books on the link below and then buy at least one, firstly because they are a great read, and secondly because it will help support all their great work.
http://www.kennett.co.nz/

Detail shot of the Super Champion derailleur,a later upgrade of this bike which was originally a fixed wheel road/track machine.

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Clarkes Cycles Works Ltd mid 1920's-late 1950's

Firstly I would like to say that I've spent many hours of digging,ringing and questioning to come up with not much information, so sorry for the lack of history about this important New Zealand builder.

What I have found is Clarkes Cycles was formed in the early 1920's in Newmarket, Auckland. The owners were of the Brethren faith, which is one of the main reasons I have had such little luck in finding any of the company's history.

Clarkes astutely employed known cycle racers to build their own line of cycles, called Leader. the racers were at first named "Superb" and later, as the model shown here, the name changed to"Special".
Clarkes offered off the rack domestic and road/track bicycles,or a custom built machine for the more discerning rider.

By 1951 there was two new Clarkes outlets in Auckland, the new outlets being in 267 Karangahape rd and 29 Victoria st.
As can be seen by the advertisements Leaders were used by many top North Island riders including the great Bill Pratney who rode a Leader early in his career.
Clarkes, like many of the older cycle business's around the country seemed to struggle though the mid-late 50's,and closed it's doors around this time.

After talking with the riders and studying copious amounts of photos from this period, it is plainly evident that Clarkes and their Leader Superb and Leader Specials were a major force in the North Island scene through out the 30's-early 50's

Ad from NZ cycling review August 1951

Harden Hubs are also later edition to this bike which originally ran wooden rims and Vew hubs.

Some very nice hand cut head lugs, with the L being a nice touch.Such ornate lug work is very unusual for a bike of this period (late 30's).

Detail shot of the three speed Super Champion shifter.