1909 Iver Johnson Truss Bridge Racer

1909 Iver Johnson Truss Bridge Racer

Model 990

 

 

The list price for the Iver Johnson Truss Bridge Racer in 1909 was $50. The Racer was the company’s most expensive model, and came with a choice of colour: black was standard, with additional options of Iver Johnson Orange or Automobile Red.

 

 

 

 

 

Customers could also choose from twelve handlebar styles. This one is fitted with the ‘No 21 Downturn’ featuring a 4 3/4 drop.

 

 

 

When we look at bicycle catalogues 100 years after their publication, we assume that the only options available are those mentioned in the relevant catalogue. However, all companies offered a very wide range of optional equipment. You could essentially buy your bicycle fitted with whatever bits and pieces you wanted, including parts manufactured and sold by other companies. Nevertheless, Iver Johnson, striving for market position, offered a wide range of options in their catalogues.

 

 

 

 

 

For the 1909 season, Iver Johnson made various changes to their Truss Bridge models. A new chain-wheel (they call it a ‘crank hanger’) was introduced in this year, seen in the catalogue illustration above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the chain-wheel on this bicycle is from the Iver Johnson Diamond Frame Special Roadster of the same year (see below).

 

 

 

I bought this Truss Bridge Flyer at an auction. It had no wheels. American bicycles of this period were fitted with wooden wheels, while British bikes had steel wheels.

 

 

 

The New Departure hubs that came with the bike were for 36-spoke wheels. So I found a pair of 36-spoke stainless steel wheels and the hubs were built into them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wooden wheels do look nice, but are a nuisance because they require tubeless tyres, which are no longer manufactured. This wheel-set is therefore a much more practical option.

 

 

 

I’ve attached a period Iver Johnson holster to this bicycle.

 

 

 

The picture below was my inspiration…

 

The rider in the picture was sponsored to ride across America in the early 1920s. Note the sign on his pistol holster: ‘Dogs Only.’

 

 

 

The saddle is a long-spring Troxel, as fitted to early American motorcycles.

 

 

TRUST THE TRUSS