Bicycle - Hubert Opperman, 'Malvern Star' Motor Pace Model, Melbourne, 1930

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Summary:: Racing bicycle on which Hubert Opperman set a world record for 100 mile motor pace riding at the Melbourne Motordrome (now Olympic Park) in April 1930.
This was a specially modified version of a standard design made by the Malvern Star Cycle & Motor Co., Melbourne. It has an extra large front crank sprocket wheel for additonal speed and a smaller front wheel enabling the forks to be reveresed so that the rider could ride on the rear wheel of a pacing motor cycle sitting in the slipstream of the motor-cycle rider to reduce air friction on the bicycle rider.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Bruce Small Pty Ltd, Malvern Star Cycle & Motor Co, 1931

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	850 mm (Height), 1540 mm (Length)

Tagged with:	cycles, bicycle racing, bicycles, logan
Themes this item is part of:	Transport Collection, Hubert Ferdinand Opperman, Cyclist & Politican (1904-1996)
Primary Classification:	ROAD TRANSPORT
Secondary Classification:	Cycles
Tertiary Classification:	bicycles
Inscriptions:	Stamped "16280" on rear right-hand axle bracket and both "16280" & "J124" on the underside of the crank axle housing. Also embossed "CHATER-LEA" on underside of crank axle housing.
Manufacturer:	Bruce Small Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1926
User:	Sir Hubert Opperman, Australia, 1930