Bicycle [Wizard (Bill Pratney)]
Maker and role
Wizard Bikes, Manufacturer
Bill Pratney, Manufacturer
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Object detail
Accession number
2007.61
Maker
Production period
Description
'Wizard' brand racing bicycle ex Bill Pratney. Standard diamond shape to truss consisting of two triangles, mid blue coloured painted steel frame, leather upholstered seat, thin rubber tires, black and red tape over drop handlebar, brakes on either side, on both the head and seat tube is marked in white lettering PRATNEY CYCLES , 'Bill Pratney' printed on the top tube.
Brief History
In the 1930s, Bill Pratney was in partnership with Ruben Jones and they made the Wizard Bikes in Ponsonby, also working together to make a bicycle for Pratney. The pair tried about 200 different positions and angles before they got it right. The original tips in the rear forks were made from the steel angle irons of a bed frame, as it had extra hardening in the steel. Another feature of this bicycle is the "head" where the handle bars are. This rises up where other bikes are typically level or underslung. This made Pratney appear to ride in a very upright position, which suited his riding style. Pratney used the same bike on road and track and changed only the front forks to give the longer road or the shorter track length.
Credit Line
Wizard Bikes et al. Bicycle [Wizard (Bill Pratney)], 2007.61. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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