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Massey Harris Bicycles

Hi all, I have been trying to find anything related to Massey Harris bicycles. I know they were made from back in the 1800's, but not much else. I have recently picked up a few Massey bicycles. I saw the hub with MASSEY in the drive hub, I was unsure if it was Massey Harris or another Massey who just made bicycles, However only 3 days ago, I found one with HARRIS in the hub, so know I am convinced that it is the correct company. A welcome addition to any Massey collectors shed. Can anyone help me with the dating or information? ...Thanks Buck
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RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Great Massey bike pictures from down under Buck, first time I have seen Harris in the chain sprocket.

I am pleased to see Massey bikes finally getting a mention on this site and hope Roger Goodrich and Peggy jump in here to share their knowledge on this subject, over the last few years they have put together an amazing collection of Massey bikes and memorabilia.
Here are some photo's of their display at the Expo last year at Baraboo Wisconsin, including the very rare shaft drive model.

Malcolm.
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RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Can I recommend two books I have recently come across which have a lot of info regarding the history of Massey bicycle manufacture.  They are:

Canada Cycle and Motor.  John A McKenney.  ISBN 155452667-1
and
Made up to a Standard.  Jaroslav Petryshyn.  ISBN1-894263-25-1

Both are good reads with some quite odd and little known bits of Massey history in them.

John

RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Buck, I am afraid I have some bad news about your recent Massey Harris Bicycle. I can honestly say I know nothing about Massey Bikes or the history of them but I just got an email from a man in Australia who does. He sent me an email and wants you to contact him for more information on the subject. for some reason I can't copy and paste on here anymore so I copied it and captured it and will try to post it as an attachment. Joe
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RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Here is a nice piece of M-H bicycle advertising I picked up on our Ontario trip last summer.

Malcolm.
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RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Gary,

If you and Drew have any money left over after buying the "Massey Assasin"  You can now get a Massey Bicycle for your collection. It is a real steel at the starting price of only $45,000.00 on ebay right now!! Don't hold back just bid!!


Item #  161257176204

Joe
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RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Thanks Joe for thinking of us. For $45,000 I would expect to have the ENTIRE Massey Harris bicycle collection.  Not just one. 

It it does look like a neat piece, but I would suspect the majority of the valuation is in the documentation of the history. 

RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Must be a blue light special.  The price was just lowered to $20,000.

Drew

RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Another interesting story on eBay!!  I am very familiar with Major Taylor. In fact there is a velodrome with his name on it in Indianapolis.  I also know he rode some MAssey bikes but I do not see what ties this bike with Massey?  Can anyone help on this??  

Glad it is a "buy it now" and "make offer"  There is hope!!  don't expect it it to disappear anytime soon!!

GTE



RE:Massey Harris Bicycles

Major Taylor goes down in the annals of Massey bicycle history.  He was a celebrated African-American rider named Marshal "Major" Taylor (1878-1932).  Canada hosted the World Racing Cycle Chamionship in 1899 in Montreal.  Taylor was born in Indianapolis and made his name as a teenager performing cycling stunts outside a bicycle shop dressed in soldier's uniform.  The Canadian event was to be his first time outside the USA. 12,000 people watched him take the championship.

He went on to become the most widely celebrated and highest paid rider in the world.

In 1902 he went to Ottawa for a race in the summer but his bicycle was lost in transit.  He spotted a William Morton from Toronto with a bicycle similar to his own and asked if he might borrow it.  Morton obliged saying that if he won it would make a superb souvenir for him  Taylor duly won.

Following this success CCM approached him about the possibility offering a similar model for the upcoming tour of Australia.  They offered him a £1000 retainer for 3 months which he accepted and he additionally won substantial prize monies.  CCM's investment paid off in that 20,000 people watched the race.

Morton continued his relationship with CCM and went on to become one of Canada's most succesful cyclists.  He went on to coach Candian teams for the Olympics.

Perhaps this gives some background to the bicycle now on offer on e bay.   Massey and Massey CCM bicycles were sold in Australia and New Zealand.

John