how a bike used to be made - Raleigh factory

[eddief]

http://film-directory.britishcouncil.org/how-a-bicycle-is-made

[colker]

http://film-directory.britishcouncil.org/how-a-bicycle-is-made

Film making certainly evolved.

[johnmdesigner]

Have to give them credit. They made the whole damm thing. In 1945.

[CAAD]

The workers looked liked they also enameled their hands. I don't think I saw gloves.

[charliedid]

The workers looked liked they also enameled their hands. I don't think I saw gloves.

I wonder how many are missing fingers?

[Nomadmax]

Very cool video! Thanks for sharing it.

"The frames are dipped in a special solution for cleaning", cash money says that smoke coming off there wasn't good for those guys. Also, what I wouldn't give for one of those women who were installing tires to be with me when I have a flat ;)

[Veloo]

My gawd. That "bath of special solution" is also bathing the operator in fumes. Oh how we've come a long way....

[merckxman]

How bikes were stress tested (1981ish), this at Bianchi.

[xtheendisnearx]

I cant believe that video was from the 40s. Its amazing to see how much different the process is nowadays. A lot of frame builders do everything themselves rather than having people at stations doing the same task a bunch.

[54ny77]

so cool!

[Rudy]

Perhaps released in '45 but likely filmed pre-war. In any event, fascinating viewing. Many thanks.

[Mark McM]

Several times in the beginning of the film they refer to the '100 year' history of the bike, and that the Penny Farthing bikes were used '100 years ago'. Even if the film was made in 1945, their dates are off by quite a bit - the pedal bicycle wasn't invented until 1866. Even if you consider the two wheeled Draisenne (about 1817) an early form of bicycle, the Penny Farthing did not appear until the 1870's.

[charliedid]

I cant believe that video was from the 40s. Its amazing to see how much different the process is nowadays. A lot of frame builders do everything themselves rather than having people at stations doing the same task a bunch.

Not really, frame builders are not bike factories. The factories are still very similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0N4dzewIg

[unterhausen]

the dunk tanks remind me of Trek in the '70s. I was always impressed with that setup. There were 7 tanks in a row and the frames went through them various times in the process. Last tank in the row was phosphate of some kind. Some frames stayed around at the factory for a long time without being painted. And they didn't rust, which is pretty impressive given the humidity in Wisconsin.

[eddief]

and what a torturous way to make a living.

Not really, frame builders are not bike factories. The factories are still very similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0N4dzewIg

[charliedid]

and what a torturous way to make a living.


Certainly not my first choice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xtheendisnearx]

Not really, frame builders are not bike factories. The factories are still very similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0N4dzewIg

Similar, yes, but the actual process of making the frame is automated now. That video was just assembly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fkJl5tPjCs

[cash05458]

just glad none of my rides aren't made like that...on so many levels...

[charliedid]

Similar, yes, but the actual process of making the frame is automated now. That video was just assembly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fkJl5tPjCs

You have a video of the automated frame making?

Thanks

[oldpotatoe]

and what a torturous way to make a living.

No different than a lot of factory work. A lot of the workers in these Asian factories are from rural parts and this job...along with medical, lodging, meals..is the best they have ever seen.
Probably not real different in the late 40s in the UK..as a devastated country, with a HUGE number of returning vets, with only military training, looking for work. Factory work, as the economy improved, was probably a really good deal.

AND bikes were HUGE due to the cost of cars and fuel..