Humber bicycle crankwheel



http://www.flickriver.com/photos/abaraphobia/6914639744/

When I was eight or nine years of age, I inherited as a first bicycle, an old, large and solid 3 speed Humber- which was much too big for me- and was significant only because of the crankwheel, which struck me as being a beautiful thing.  I saw it as a version of men supporting the earth (much like multiple Atlases... Atlii?). I found it described online as the Humber dancing men, and Liz immediately likened to the painting The Dance by Matisse.

I have no idea what happened to the bike and since then I've hoped I would find either a bicycle or crank to use as a decorative object. No such luck- but as always, the internet comes through with images (and actual cranks if I had the money.) see http://jollyrogersmotors.com/node/588

 Of course I'm not the only one attracted to these things, and the Humber crank is only one of many interesting crankwheel designs. http://www.flickriver.com/groups/1297157@N24/pool/interesting/