| Boulder Art Gallery 960 Main Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 978-345-7000 info@theboulderartgallery.com |
| 1928 IVER JOHNSON MODEL 90A SPECIAL RACER |
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This is a 1928 Iver Johnson Model 90A, Special Racer in Iver Johnson Black with well preserved double hairline pinstriping. Serial #
485897 is stamped on the seat tube of this original, "as found" 21" diamond frame racer. The frames on these top of the line racers
were made with a special Chrome-Molybdenum Steel which was both lighter in weight and stronger than the standard steel frames of
the Model 90 racer. This bike was purchased from a family whose father owned it for decades, very little, if anything was altered over
its lifetime, it simply hung forgotten in the garage. Up front is the correct nickel headtube, narrow nickel racing fork, and gold
headbadge all with a great patina.
The racer is resting on a beautiful set of original, laminated, natural finish "Fairbanks Boston High V" wood racing wheels laced to a
36 spoke rear track hub with 7 tooth cog, and matching 36 spoke hub up front. Finishing off the wheelset is a pair of 28" x 1 1/8"
United States Special Racer tires put on by me. A unique feature of this 90A Special Racer (not all years) are the chain stays. As the
stays approach the bottom bracket there is no left to right support and the stays are "flattened" and narrow at the ends which not
only allows more clearance for the wheel, but also allows it to be mounted very close to the seat tube (see pic below). Another
interesting and unique feature of these Model 90A Special Racers is its detachable front sprocket which contains 23 teeth. The racer
still retains its original but well aged, Brooks B-15 "Champion Standard" racing saddle, "racing" rat trap pedals (as described in the
1928 catalog), Iver Johnson #11 racing handlebars with forward extension, optional 7" cranks, and original sponge rubber grips add
to the great vintage look of this racer. All in all, a nicely preserved example of an Iver Johnson period racer.
485897 is stamped on the seat tube of this original, "as found" 21" diamond frame racer. The frames on these top of the line racers
were made with a special Chrome-Molybdenum Steel which was both lighter in weight and stronger than the standard steel frames of
the Model 90 racer. This bike was purchased from a family whose father owned it for decades, very little, if anything was altered over
its lifetime, it simply hung forgotten in the garage. Up front is the correct nickel headtube, narrow nickel racing fork, and gold
headbadge all with a great patina.
The racer is resting on a beautiful set of original, laminated, natural finish "Fairbanks Boston High V" wood racing wheels laced to a
36 spoke rear track hub with 7 tooth cog, and matching 36 spoke hub up front. Finishing off the wheelset is a pair of 28" x 1 1/8"
United States Special Racer tires put on by me. A unique feature of this 90A Special Racer (not all years) are the chain stays. As the
stays approach the bottom bracket there is no left to right support and the stays are "flattened" and narrow at the ends which not
only allows more clearance for the wheel, but also allows it to be mounted very close to the seat tube (see pic below). Another
interesting and unique feature of these Model 90A Special Racers is its detachable front sprocket which contains 23 teeth. The racer
still retains its original but well aged, Brooks B-15 "Champion Standard" racing saddle, "racing" rat trap pedals (as described in the
1928 catalog), Iver Johnson #11 racing handlebars with forward extension, optional 7" cranks, and original sponge rubber grips add
to the great vintage look of this racer. All in all, a nicely preserved example of an Iver Johnson period racer.
( Click Pics to Enlarge)
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