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Starley Brothers "Pyscho" Tricycle.
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dclf1947



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 107
Location: Laoag City, Philippines

PostPosted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:48 am    Post subject: Starley Brothers "Pyscho" Tricycle. Reply with quote

Looking at the the machine on http://www.tc-auctions.com/ what do they mean by "automatic steering"? One for Buzzy!!

Dave
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4880
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
Quote:
No. 34. 'Psycho' tricycle

c1886. 'Psycho' Tricycle. From 'Bartleet's Bicycle Book' No. 34.
This was made by Starley Brothers, Coventry about 1886, and fitted with John Marshall Starley's patent automatic steering device, patent No. 8532/1885. By this ingenious apparatus (which is concealed in the main frame tube, immediately behind the steering head) the small steering wheel is kept in a straight line, and automatically returned to the straight after being diverted by the handlebar. To adjust the tension of the coil spring, which controlled the mechanism, the name-plate must be removed and a screw-driver inserted in the hole thus exposed. Note the front wheel mud-guard, a very early example of the "forward extension." Weight 76.5 lbs. Purchased in Ealing.

The name 'Psycho' was taken from a conjuring trick or illusion which, in 1885, was being presented by Messrs. Maskelyne and Cook, at the Egyptian Hall, London, and which took the form of a female figure which "automatically" played a game of whist with members of the audience who were invited to go upon the stage. Under the expert tutelage of the great magician Mr. J. N. Maskelyne, 'Psycho' generally won the game.

Note the differential gear (James Starley Senior's patent No. 3388/1877) at end of axle.

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roverdriver



Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Posts: 1210
Location: 100 miles from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

PostPosted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for that information Penman. James Starley certainly started something, and his boys carried on the tradition for a while. Of course it was his nephew, John Kemp S. who created the equal size wheeled/chain drive two wheel machine that we know today, as well as becoming the posthumous 'father' of Rover cars.
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dclf1947



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 107
Location: Laoag City, Philippines

PostPosted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Penman. Superb description.

Dave
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4880
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
It is interesting that the article mentions a differential, I was looking at a modern adult trike last year and that didn't have such a feature it was just 1 wheel driven,
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V8 V10
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